As I opened the door of the hotel room ready for a much anticipated break, there was a wall and a closet. It looked like I had opened the wrong door, possibly a custodial closet. That oh no feeling grew as we stepped in the room, and I learned that ocean view and ocean front are different. My desire was to bless my whole family with a view of the ocean which we had, but it looked way different than what I thought I had reserved. All I could see was the weird angled blue wall, the alley way with delivery trucks and workers on a smoke break, and the other hotel.
I tried to focus on gratitude. I know how blessed I am to be staying at a hotel, to be privileged enough to have these options. I did have a view of the ocean which is also a blessing. It also was in our price range. I knew I was blessed to be here. And yet, it did not look like what I thought it should.
As I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to help me be present and enjoy the gifts, I was reminded of focus. There was an ocean view available. Yes, it was true that people were smoking below us in the alley, and garbage trucks were clanging and beeping but the view was still available.
I started thinking about life and how there are seasons of ocean front views where it is easy to see and stay focused on God and the sound is only His voice. There does not seem to be as many distractions. Then there are other seasons of ocean side views that seem to be full of distractions, and there is a choice to be made of where I will focus.
Will I keep my eyes on Christ and listen for the Holy Spirit, or will I allow myself to be distracted and discontent? Will I choose to be grateful for the gifts in that season, or will I complain and allow the things that are not going as I think they should, or look way different than I thought, take over my thoughts and view?
Beauty that was found when I decided to look for gifts.
A sunset picture I was able to capture because of our angle.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.. .—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Inkblot Life 