Rock Creek with My Man by Paula Friedrichsen

Yesterday my husband Jeff and I took a long hike up at Mosquito Flats (above Rock Creek Lake). This is one of our favorite hikes, and took us about 3 hours round trip. The fall colors were spectacular; the meandering streams we passed crystal clear; and the temperature a balmy 80 degrees. The cloudless blue sky was a gorgeous backdrop to the jagged mountain peaks, which were reflected in each perfectly still lake we hiked by. At each lake Jeff would throw in a line, hoping to score Old Moe. And while he did have a few nibbles, the fish did a great job of eluding his lure. We encountered happy hikers every 15 or 20 minutes on the trail, and each person we passed had a huge smile on their face. We ended our adventure at a shady picnic table tucked into a group of flaming orange aspen trees by Rock Creek Lake. Peppered turkey, swiss cheese, and homegrown tomato sandwiches, fresh picked apples from my friend Janet’s apple tree, potato chips, and ice cold bottles of water… Is there anything better than a delicious lunch after a long hike? We both agreed that it was the most pleasant day we’ve spent together in months.

What joy I experience in the daily companionship of my husband! I’ve discovered through the years that my marriage is one of God’s greatest blessings to me. But twenty-five years of marriage have also taught me how easy it is to take my husband for granted. To get annoyed with his quirks, blasé about his great qualities, and blind to his many efforts to please me. And it’s not just my marriage I can take for granted… it’s everything.

It’s crazy how easy it is to pass through each day oblivious to God’s many blessings. To become blind to the dazzling sights, sounds, smells, and textures of our everyday lives. Whether it’s a companionable hike with my man on a warm September morning; or a luscious organic tomato slice in my sandwich; the feeling of a weathered picnic bench under my bum; the sound of the breeze through the brilliantly colored aspens; or the jutted mountain peaks I get to look at every day—it’s easy for me to become indifferent to the grand realities of my life.

What are the “grand realities” of your life that you may be overlooking? They may not be as showy as the brilliant autumn colors around Rock Creek Lake—yet they are just as praiseworthy. Are you a stay-at-home mom to a houseful of little ones? Maybe you recently retired and you’re wondering what the future holds for you? Do you work full time at a challenging job? Are you on the verge of a huge life change or move? In each one of those circumstances there are grand realities in your life just waiting to be uncovered and realized. There are things to see, hear, touch, and smell in your present circumstances that are magnificent and beautiful and heaven-sent from God.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things in our everyday lives that are the most surprisingly precious. For instance, our son has been living at home for the last year to save up money so he could continue his education. He’ll be moving away next month to begin his next grand adventure. Last weekend, the four of us (son, daughter, husband, and me) sat on our little patio, under a tree, eating barbequed burgers for dinner. The sun had set, Sweet Pea our chubby mutt lay under the table, and we all sat lingering over our empty plates talking and enjoying each other. The funny thing was…we hadn’t planned a “special” dinner. It’s just turned out to be special. Life is like that; full of special blessings just waiting to be noticed.

I don’t want to go through each day dull to the many gifts I’ve been showered with. To always be looking for things to be bigger, better, shinier… a nicer home…. a thinner body…. better hair… and on and on it goes. No. I want to determinedly enjoy each day God has given me. To stop complaining about what isn’t—and to enjoy and embrace all that is. So whether it’s a perfect day like yesterday, or a day like today (sitting in front of my computer for 8 hours at work), I want to be thrilled with my present circumstances, because I have my eyes opened to the beauty and blessings that surround me every day!

Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org