Photo Challenge--"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder"

Annie asked me to host the Brenda's Photo Challenge this time. When she asked me I was on my trip to Seattle and was surrounded with so much of God's beautiful creation that I chose "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder." I am hoping to see what each of you considers as beautiful. After choosing the theme I found myself thinking a lot about the things and people in my life that are beautiful to me. I found myself thinking about the beauty of people helping people, the beauty of God's Word, the beauty of a solved problem, the beauty of young couples in love, the beauty of a long marriage, the beauty of imperfections that make us unique. The Bible says the feet of people who share the gospel to others are beautiful in Isaiah 52:7.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 declares, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."

My trip to Seattle was beautiful to me in many ways, but mostly because of some special little "hugs" that I got from God. In many ways, God showed me that He was present with me on my trip and He used the trip to restore me and reassure me of His love for me. I really needed that after several months of trials and daily stress. So I am going to share few of the beautiful scenes from my trip.

This first picture is of a waterfall that we visited. I think the waterfall shows me the power of God's creation and of His love for me. This strength is to be respected and admired. I can rely on God's strength to get me through any situation.

This view of the Pacific ocean emphasizes the vastness of God's love to me.

Here is one of my favorite pictures from our visit to the Mt. Rainier National Park. The blue sky reminds me of the purity of God's love. The evergreens teach me that He is always with me and the majesty of the mountain is a reminder of His awesome sovereignty.

My final picture is of the dogwood blossoms in the back yard of the people I visited. Ever since I was young, I have loved dogwood blossoms. I love the legend of the dogwood tree (see below) and was so overwhelmed when I first arrived in Seattle to find dogwood trees in peak bloom all around me. Perhaps you have noticed that I use a white dogwood blossom as my profile picture because it reminds me that God has loved me and engraved me on His hands.

There Is A Legend

At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.
In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:
" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

Thank you for looking at some beauty through my eyes. Now get yourself to the Brenda's Photo Challenge page to see the beauty through the other participant's eyes.