TURKquoise and CAICOS

We are back to reality now. Mr. Jones and I traveled to Turks and Caicos (aka Caribbean Paradise) for our 5th wedding anniversary. In so many ways five years is nothing...a drop in the bucket...so small. But in other ways, it's gigantic...life changing...everything. Five years have brought love, happiness, falling in and letting go, trying new things and losing others, two little boys and my life as I currently know it. When you think of that way and see it through my eyes, it's a big deal...at least to me.

Going on this trip, I had a lot of time to relax and think. And you have not appreciated time to think until you are on a beach listening to the waves staring at the most beautiful water ever. It brings a peace like none other. Well my mind being what it is, my thoughts started at how pretty everything was...from the white sand and shells to the multitude of colors that was the reef and fish not far from my hotel, all the way down to my toes painted in "Turkqoise and Caicos" polish (did I buy it because of the name?...maybe...). Well then my thoughts started to evolve as they tend to do and I started asking myself,  "How is all this beauty like my own life?" At first glance it's not. I mean if you could see the pile up of toys beside my feet, it is anything but tranquil. The hum of the dishwasher is not exactly parallel to the swish of the wind through the coconut trees. But when I dig deeper, this paradise that I speak of and my little home are the same. God designed both intimately.  Joy, contentment, passion, and beauty surround me. The forgiveness, acceptance, and faithfulness that I receive from my husband...the purity and humility of my children...the safety and warmth of the walls around me. Once again, God is showing me what I have. Although it is much easier to look at one as bliss and the other as responsibility, God focused my eyes and reminded me of Philippians 4:12 "I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Kind of reminds me of the ebb and flow of that beautiful water I was staring at earlier.

So, as I said, we are back to reality now. I am going to work hard on reminding myself what a gift it all is. So thankful for the five years of reality with Mr. Jones and can't wait to see what the next 5 hold.