Tuesday, August 16

Surprising beauty


I've had the chance to travel to some truly beautiful places in my life. Some of those I've shared here, such as my trips to Paris, Rome, and Normandy. Breathtaking, all of them.

This month, though, I witnessed some of the greatest beauty I've seen in a long time. Here are just a few photos from my travels in the past couple of weeks. See if you can guess where I was:




Okay, that last photo gave away the fact that I was in the U.S. This one makes it even more clear:

  
Any guesses?

Here are a couple more clues:



Perhaps you've recognized it by now.

I was in Michigan. Michigan! Can you believe the beauty?

I believe that when Michigan is mentioned, many folks can only conjure images of defunct factories dotted across the "Rust Belt" or abandoned houses in Detroit. Or they imagine the climate to be limited to harsh, gray winters. While Michigan may be home to some unattractive features (and what place isn't?!), I've discovered that it's also home to ravishing beauty.

I was born and reared in the South, but one of the greatest privileges of my life was moving to this beautiful state 25 years ago. For seven years my family thrived in Michigan. While we were glad to return to the South, we'll never forget what we learned while we were up North: that beauty is all around if we just have eyes to see it.

Lord, give us eyes to see the beauty of your Creation and of one another, wherever we may be.

10 comments:

  1. We vacationed in Michigan a few years ago and really enjoyed it. After seeing your pictures, I want to go back.

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  2. How pretty! I've never been to Michigan, but after reading several of Colleen Coble's novels, I would love to go!

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  3. I have never been outside the airport in Michigan but it looks like a wonderful place based on your pictures. We are blessed to have so many beautiful places in this country. We recently went to Arkansas for the first time and were amazed at all of the natural beauty there too!

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  4. Michigan is so close to me yet I have never been there. It looks like a beautiful place.

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  5. I agree with you that beauty is all around, if we just open our eyes to see it. And that is largely an attitude of the heart.

    When I was in elementary school, we vacationed in Michigan 2 different summers. Once on Lake Michigan, once on Lake Huron. We even visited the beautiful Mackinaw Island.

    Very gorgeous photos. Love love love those blue skies.

    Blessings,
    Patti

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  6. I'm on Mackinac Island right now!! Love my beautiful state. I grew up coming to this Mackinac Island and now my husband and I take our kids. It is one of the most beautiful places and so peaceful. Everyone should add it to their places to see list.

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  7. I'm on Mackinac Island right now!! Love my beautiful state. I grew up coming to this Mackinac Island and now my husband and I take our kids. It is one of the most beautiful places and so peaceful. Everyone should add it to their places to see list.

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  8. WOW I had no idea that Michigan is so beautiful! I clearly need to broaden my horizons!

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  9. Gorgeous! What part of Michigan were those taken in? My family is from Michigan originally, but I haven't gotten to go myself yet...

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  10. Glad you got to return to Michigan, and once again enjoy its beauty! I agree that there is so much beauty to behold in this world, and all we need to do is open our eyes and see it! 😀

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