looking back to the light 022

The cold air hit me this morning, as I set off on my usual trail. The sun had started to soak up the coolness of the night. As I was walking and praying, I felt so grateful even as the familiar path was winding through some darker part of the woods. At one point, I sensed a strong desire to stop and turn around. What I found amazed me. While walking, I had not noticed how beams of light had been lighting up the road behind me. It was here, looking back on the path my feet had just traveled, I was suddenly aware of these marvelous beams.

How kind of our God to light up the path. Even when we can’t see Him work, we can trust Him to do His work in and through us. Sometimes it’s not until later, when we get a chance to turn around, that He reveals to us that He has been the Light on our path all along.

looking back to the light 014Abba, Father, You are the Light of my life.
Help me to trust You, even in the places I can’t see You work.
Open my eyes to the beauty of Your presence,
even when I travel in the dark places of my journey.”

~

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the
Lord
your God goes with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
~
For God, who said,
“Light shall shine out of darkness,”
is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light
of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6

looking back to the light 011

 

52 responses to “Looking Back”

  1. Anna Waldherr Avatar

    I love these lines from the Book of Job:

    “For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    And He shall stand at last on the earth;
    And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
    That in my flesh I shall see God…” (Job 19: 25-26).

    Like

  2. Nancy Ruegg Avatar

    It’s me again! Wanted to let you know I highlighted your wonderful blog in my post today, over at From the Inside Out. ALL GOOD–not to worry!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thank you so much, dearest Nancy … you are such an encouragement! Blessings to you!

      Like

  3. melodylowes Avatar

    Wow…how wonderful to know that our pathways are lit in multiple directions! I have sometimes turned and realized that I have missed a perfect photographic opportunity – or lesson. 😉 Beautiful, beautiful shots, Heidi.

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Yes, Melody, unfortunately we miss those opportunities and lessons… but I am grateful to my God who patiently teaches me to continue to search for His heart … all around 🙂

      Like

      1. melodylowes Avatar

        Indeed!

        Like

  4. Patty Perkins Avatar

    Beautiful! Love the way He lights the path…sometimes it’s not until hindsight that we realize it was him! Gorgeous photos:)

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thanks for stopping by, dear Patty! We serve beautiful God, don’t we 🙂

      Like

  5. PaperGiftsForEstefany Avatar

    I love it when the light shines like this. Beautiful pics! Thanks Heidi. : )

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      thank you so much for shining your light at http://papergiftsforestefany.wordpress.com … what a way to share your gifts and give us beautiful ideas to bless our compassion children 🙂 It was such a blessing to visit your site! Thanks for your visit!

      Like

  6. Stephen Nielsen Avatar

    Beautiful pictures. Yes, His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. May He give us light in the dark places of our journey.

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      When you posted this comment, I was matting and framing a larger print of the picture with the cabin (above) for a wedding gift … that was the verse I printed below the matting … I have been singing it since “Thy Word is a lamp onto our feet and a light onto our path …” 🙂 Thanks for this encouraging comment, Stephen

      Like

      1. Stephen Nielsen Avatar

        That will be a great gift!

        Like

  7. Nancy Ruegg Avatar

    Breath-taking pictures capture perfectly the lesson of your post, Heidi. Those beams of light shining on the path behind us give hope and anticipation of more marvelous beams yet to be experienced! Praise God!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      yes, Nancy … and to think that at this very moment, though we can’t see it nor feel it, God is working in, through, and around us who know Jesus … the God of the Universe intimately involved in His Creation … that’s breath-taking … Yes, praise God 🙂

      Like

  8. greenlightlady Avatar

    Heidi, these photos are truly heavenly! God speaks so beautifully through creation, and you capture it so well.

    Blessings ~ Wendy

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thank you, Wendy, for taking time to read and comment … what a blessing to have like-minded brothers and sisters to connect with … Blessings to you!

      Like

  9. Heidi Viars Avatar

    Thank you so much for your kind comment 🙂

    Like

  10. kingintraining Avatar

    Stunning pictures for a great truth! 🙂

    Like

  11. Shelly Avatar

    Beautiful pictures and such a comforting thought that God is not only in front of us but behind us. Blessings!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Blessings to you, Shelly … as you travel with Him and see Him all around you today 🙂

      Like

  12. Rosemary Avatar
    Rosemary

    beautiful thoughts and pictures

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thank you, Rosemary … He is a marvelous & beautiful God … Who has given us His Light, namely Jesus … What grace … much love to you!!!

      Like

  13. Debbie Avatar

    I am wowed with everyone else , to think about looking back to see Him shining His light in the dark places I have gone through. Thank you for blessing us!!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Dear Deb, thanks so much for stopping in … yes, He is with us … a light for our path … with Him we don’t walk in darkness … no matter what it might look like. Thank you for blessing me with your kind words 🙂

      Like

  14. Rene Yoshi Avatar

    I love how you not only capture sunbeams, but you find beautiful applications from them. So true how we often don’t see what God has been doing all along until we are able to look back. Beautiful!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Blessing to you, dear Rene … I pray you recognize His constant presence not only today but as you look back and ahead 🙂 thank you for your always kind comments!

      Like

      1. Rene Yoshi Avatar

        Thank you for your prayer. ((hug))

        Like

  15.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Beautiful meditation and photographs, Heidi. Thank you for sharing.

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂

      Like

  16. heavenlyraindrops Avatar

    Oh, Heidi. What a lovely surprise from The Lord. Love all of these and love hearing your words, as you share with us what God teaches you. Blessings!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      The morning was so beautiful. I had not been able to consistently go on my walks … thanks for reading and doubling my blessing by letting me share it! much love to you, Sue 🙂

      Like

      1. heavenlyraindrops Avatar

        🙂

        Like

  17. Skye @ TheSanctuaryofMyHeart Avatar

    Beautiful, Heidi. I needed this today. Thank you!!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      We serve a beautiful God, Skye… and yes, something I needed today, too 🙂 Bless you, sister!

      Like

  18. Nigel Carter Avatar

    Thank you, again, Heidi. You capture God’s presence in your words and pictures. Every blessing. Nigel.

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      God is amazing, isn’t He 🙂 His constant presence – something my heart longs to bathe in! Returning every blessing to you, Nigel 🙂

      Like

  19. daniellajoe Avatar

    Beautiful thanks for refreshing our minds 🙂

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      We serve such a beautiful God … 🙂 Thank you for reading!

      Like

      1. daniellajoe Avatar

        yes, He is Majestic and I love Him very much 🙂

        Like

        1. Heidi Viars Avatar

          🙂

          Like

  20. natashlim73 Avatar
    natashlim73

    So beautiful!!!! What a blessing to be able to walk in these beautiful paths Heidi! Yes He is always there lighting our path!!! Blessings to you my dear sister! xoxoxo

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thank you so much, Natasha, for stopping in. Thanks for helping us “renovate” at your blog … love what you have to say! Blessings dear one, all the way to Greece!

      Like

  21. cottageonstrawberry Avatar

    So glad you turned around and shared Heidi … very inspiring post xx

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thanks, dear Liana! You bless me with your blog! Will have to head on over and stay a while at your place … and catch up 🙂

      Like

      1. cottageonstrawberry Avatar

        Let me know when you are coming and I’ll put the kettle on :-).

        Like

  22. Pocketful of Motherhood Avatar

    What an awesome thought Heidi…I never thought about it like that before! Thank you for sharing this and I love the beautiful pictures you captured!

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      Thank you, Hannah, for taking time to read! I am grateful God is at work, even when I can’t see it (or too busy to take to look :-)) Thanks so much for your amazing blog! You have so much helpful and practical stuff 🙂 Blessings to you!

      Like

  23. Caddo Avatar
    Caddo

    WOW, this struck me with the blessing of new revelation–He lights the path behind me, as well as that in front of me?! Truly amazing, our God! May He bless your day abundantly–love, sis Caddo

    Like

    1. Heidi Viars Avatar

      I was reminded anew today, how it’s good to take a peek at where we have come from … often we get bogged down with the long road ahead and forget how God has led us, even when it did not look like it 🙂 Thank you, dearest Caddo.. you bless me with your comments!

      Like

      1. Caddo Avatar
        Caddo

        And the blessing continues! I was sharing with someone about what seemed an inconsequential turn of events–and she said, “oh! that’s like Heidi’s post about the Light behind you!” And I had to agree! That’s the fun part–when we share, someone else may pick up yet another facet of His light which we missed–I LOVE this adventure with HIM!!!!

        Like

        1. Heidi Viars Avatar

          Yes, I love the adventure with Him, too!!! Let’s pray He continues to open our eyes to His presence, no matter which direction we happen to look 🙂

          Like

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