The Season of Awareness

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I think I’m going to call this season of my life, The Season of Awareness.

Before I get into tonight’s post, I have to quickly mention a sponsor. It’s hard to believe that it’s almost time to start thinking about Christmas shopping. But, if you’re anything like me, I like to use Amazon to get everything delivered right to my door. I have a special 30 day FREE trial offer for Amazon Prime – which gives you free 2-day shipping on anything you order. So give it a try for 30 days – get your Christmas shopping done and shipped for free, and help BBB out in the process 🙂 Thank you!

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OK – back to the post 🙂

The Season of Awareness.

I had a really incredible experience this past weekend when I was home in Ohio.

It was one of those beautiful fall afternoons in the scenic Ohio River Valley where the leaves are so vibrant that the trees look like they’re on fire.

And my mom invited me outside to sit at the pool bar and just have a little mother daughter time.

Ever since my mom’s stroke, she has become so perceptive at reading people. It’s like she has a sixth sense or something. But anyway, she could tell that I had a heavy heart, and just invited me to unplug and go enjoy the crisp fall afternoon outside.

And while we were out there, she invited me to pray.

Now, I’m going to be honest, I haven’t really prayed in front of someone in a long time, and I was pretty self conscious…even though it was my mom. I just felt…really vulnerable. Almost…phony. And maybe that is a glaring red flag that my prayer life needs work, but whatever, I digress.

She went first.

And I’m tellin’ ya…it was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

My mom has always had a special connection with the Lord, but ever since her stroke, it’s like she literally has God’s ear. All the time. It’s like she has a direct connection with Heaven.

But she started praying, and I kid you not, at that moment, the wind started picking up, and I felt this beautiful breeze on my cheeks. It was honestly as those God Himself was giving me a little kiss on the cheek. And while she was praying, the wind chimes started gently playing a little melody in the breeze. And that smell of fall just filled my nostrils. I was having a total sensory experience.

And all I could think about in that moment was the closeness of God.

How, He is all around us. And how, I need to be more aware of His presence. I can be so wrapped up in worries or technology or fears or the little stresses of the day, that I literally can miss the nudges of love from God – be it in the form of wind chimes, a gentle breeze, the smile of a child, a song lyric, etc.

We had a beautiful prayer time that afternoon. My mom is so in tune with her loved ones, always praying for exactly what they need. We both ended that afternoon in tears of gratitude and love.

Coming back to New York City yesterday, I was really trying to hold onto that awareness of God’s closeness.

I’m only here for 48 hours, and then I have to go back to Ohio for a photoshoot. But yesterday evening, I decided to take a little walk.

And that night, I was blessed with literally the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in my life. And I have seen some pretty incredible ones in my lifetime: Wisconsin, Iceland, Utah. But this one took the cake.

And I stood there watching the sky absolutely ablaze in all different shades of coral and pink, and I just smiled, knowing that God was again revealing His love for me in that moment.

For the last couple years now, I’ve been on the quest for love, and one of the things my mom prayed for that afternoon was for me to allow someone to love me.

And perhaps this is the first step.

Recognizing all the ways in which God loves me. Learning to see and be aware of all the little love notes He leaves.


Because as soon as I can believe that I am worthy of His love, the sooner I can believe that I am worthy of a man’s love.

Like I said, The Season of Awareness.

What are some of the ways that you recognize God’s love for you?

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

216 thoughts on “The Season of Awareness”

  2. Beautiful post! It reminded of my grandmother’s keener wisdom and discernment after her stroke. God’s move is very obvious in your life. I have no doubt He will order your steps as He continues to do for me and my family. This month has been full of tragedy and transition, but God keeps making a way when there seems to be no way.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. “How, He is all around us.” I’ve always thought of His omnipresence as like the sky. There is not one place on Earth where there is no sky and God is just like that.

    By the way, that sunset picture is simply spectacular. 😀

    Like

  5. “Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10. As I read your blog that verse came t mind. There are, of course, many translations for that verse and Biblehub.com (http://biblehub.com/psalms/46-10.htm) had them all to scroll through. One translation read, “Cease striving and know that I am God…” One of the things I think we forget to do in our face pace, hyber-busy, overstimulated world is to STOP and BE QUIET. God is always speaking to us, but that “still, soft voice” gets lost in the hustle and bustle. The moment you sat with your mom you stopped and were quiet – to hear and be heard. The walk and sunset are a result of knowing you need time to STOP and BE QUIET. It is hard to do these days. I find myself challenged in this too. Thanks for the reminder that I need to “Be still…” more often.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I have become keenly aware of God’s love for me in the last several years. It actually has opened my heart to see people differently and to be able to, or, be more open to loving others and showing some mercy. I guess knowing that He loves me right where I am made me see that his love is pretty wide and deep. But not just for me, for everyone. Even the ones I don’t like so much. But now I’m open to giving others some slack when they are not so easy to be around or get along with. Sorry, that was a little long. It’s always a little difficult for me to describe the effects God’s love has on me. I think love is his superpower.

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  11. One of the ways I know God loves me, is when He brings people like you in my life. How is your Mom doing. Still offering prayers for all of you. Love and God Bless, SR

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh my gosh SR! You just made my night! Thank you friend 🙂 she’s doing great – thanks for the continued prayers. They are working! She’s a trooper. And my hero. Sending so much love. Hope you’re having a great week xox

      Liked by 1 person

  12. To quote you:

    “How, He is all around us. And how, I need to be more aware of His presence. I can be so wrapped up in worries or technology or fears or the little stresses of the day, that I literally can miss the nudges of love from God. . . ”

    Nice. Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I was running in the in Florida. I took a wrong turn and ended at an alligator nest there were two or three and some babies. I closed my eyes and prayed. I talked to the girl. I complimented her babies and told her I was a dumb tourist. If she let me go, I’d never come back. They all tramped off. It was amazing. I felt like God gave me a hand. There.

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      1. God. Is good. I’ve been half frozen. Dehydrated. Other. Military stuff. I just pray and really try to listen. I’m not sure why it’s listening. The hum of things.

        Acceptance, is hard and scary. You are, so special. Worthy of God and whatever lucky fella stops by to stay forever.

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      3. A bubble in a can of soda. Seems insignificant on its own but the total amount of bubbles is 10^18. That’s 18 zeros. I worked for Coke last week. Similar amount of air was in the last breath of Jesus. That air fills our lungs today. Your mom is great. I’m sure, it’s hard to think that you may get there with God. I’d sit with monks and they would shrug. Ha. Well, it would translate to a shrug. Breathing. It’s what keeps us going and brings us closer to God.

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      5. You’re welcome. I think, I understand the NFL thing better. I wrote a post about it if you want to check it out.

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  15. One of the most difficult things I’ve found in the hustle and bustle of administration, teaching and travel is to remember I have that heavenly presence waiting for me to share my successes and mistakes with Him. Looking back it would have been so much better if I’d invited that Presence to partner with me in all my ventures. Oh yes, I did acknowledge Him and his power over my life but too often forgot to thank Him and consult before each move. I regret that, but look forward to apologizing to Him personally some day and having that face to face conversation rather than just feeling the Presence. Nice picture of you and the girl.:)

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  16. I hope people take up your offer on prime, cause it’s awesome 🙂

    I’m so glad you have that special moment of prayer with your mom. I don’t like being vulnerable either, even in front of my husband which I wrote about. But as with the post, God uses those moments especially to speak to me, and through other people. I’m glad your visit was good, and I hope it eased some of the worries you’ve been having 🙂

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    1. Thanks TR! yah me too! My mom has it and it’s amazing. Truly. I wouldn’t have advertised it if a) I didn’t have personal experience with it and b) it just freaking rocks 🙂 haha Thanks, yeah it was a really special moment. Yeah it definitely did. I’m going to spend more time there this November. And I think we’re going to take a special pilgrimage trip – more details on that to come 🙂 😁😁😁 so glad you stopped by. Hope you’re having a great night! Hugs and love xox

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s awesome! If I ever sponsor, God willing, I would follow the same guidelines you do 🙂 I found a recipe for manicotti in the crockpot, so it’s in the crockpot, I’m catching up on today’s posts reading, and then may work on my book 🙂 Overall, it’s been a good day!

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  21. What a beautiful sunset picture! Nature is the best place to pray and commune with God. When and where was mankind closest to God? Completely in nature in Eden. After that and sin is when we moved into tents, caves, and eventually cities. Away from where God originally intended us to live.

    A quote from my novel: “He had also driven through God’s Appalachian Minster between Nashville, TN and Asheville, NC along I-40. It’s valleys rumble with the pipe organ of thunder and rushing water. Clouds and mist are its stained glass windows, cutting shafts of light and refracted colors across the green altar vestments of its forests. The spires are its peaks and the buttresses are its rock outcroppings, tilted up as if to support the weight of the mountains themselves. Its acolytes are the birds and the squirrels; its vicars, the deer and the bear.”

    More on this in Patreon as well as where I’ve found to pray…

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    1. Hey Jeff! thanks for this. you’re right – nature is an untouched gift from God. it’s a great connection. wow what a beautiful passage. thank you for sharing that 🙂 looking forward to reading your thoughts over on Patreon! Hugs and love xox

      Liked by 1 person

  22. I like the way God brings a verse from the Bible to my mind just when I need it. Also, if I am especially sad or anxious, I talk with God about it and he gives me peace of mind. I feel loved at those times.

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  24. God is in songs like this one my neice sent me saying it reminded her of me. I love it. Very spiritual and ’60s – Pat and I were hippies. You know of course that I believe Heaven is the true Garden of Eden and that the place Pat is preparing for us in Heaven is a lilac grove in that Garden. Yes my prayer is also “take me back to the garden.” Thank you Jennifer Jackson, my great niece https://youtu.be/NeOyFxjkqKY

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  25. Mom’s always seem to have that special ability to be prayer warriors. It’s like a gift that they all get when they’re sent down from heaven. I’ve always heard it said that we can’t love or be loved until we learn to love and accept ourselves. The two things that stand out the most to me about God loving us are: 1. Nature. With all of its beauty and complexity it never ceases to amaze me how much she loved us to create this for us. 2. How amazing things go when I let God steer the wheel… And how awful they go when I try to take control. I have to say the photos you included in your post tonight are some of my favorites 😃

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Great post, dear, and beautiful picture. You should do more photography! For most of my young adult life I felt like I was looking for love in all the wrong places. Truly. I got to a place where I felt truly empty. It was then that God entered my life in a powerful way, and I gave my life to Him. He has brought me through some pretty incredible circumstances, but recently, He brought me 1000 miles from where I was and put me in a place of restoration and healing. I was in some pretty difficult situations where I was and He brought me out of that. There’s a line in the Bible where it says He set me in a large place, and that’s what He did for me. Last thing I want to say is earlier this year, He said, Call unto me and I will answer and do great and migthy things (Jer. 33:3) , and He is increasing my faith incredibly. God bless you dear. I pray that God will increase your faith and set you in a large place.

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  27. I have recently become more aware of God’s immediate presence. For most of my life (and I’m 59 now), I have always thought of him “out there” or “up there” somewhere, looking down on me. He could see me, and communicate with me in various ways, but was always distant. Recently, I have become aware that he is right here with me. He is in the atmosphere, in the air that I breathe. This has had a radical impact on everything in my life in the past few weeks. Most especially my prayer life.

    If you have time, and are up for a pretty hefty read, I highly recommend The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard. It’s deep (he was a philosophy professor) and dense, but it’s my new favorite book.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Great post! I think Autumn is a great season for Awareness. It is my favorite time of year, with cool sunny days and the changing colors. Although where I live we don’t get a lot of areas with color changes. Even driving and hour and a half north last Saturday with a friend, there was hardly any colors other than green.
    Your post is a great reminder for all of us to open our hearts and minds to hear God’s whispers and feel His love.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Wonderful! Recognizing “God’s little love notes”. Yes. They’re everywhere, and I’m so oblivious and distracted. I love it when I’m caught up in my whatever, and out of nowhere, He taps on my shoulder, and whispers to my heart, “See that?”, a sunrise or sunset, a starry sky, a beautiful landscape, the hills of NY or the wide open spaces of Iowa, “I made that for you, what do you think of it?”. Can’t even type this without melting…such awesome and mighty gentleness. Thank you for sharing this. Earlier tonight, out of “nowhere”, came ringing,
    How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be
    How marvelous, how wonderful, is my Savior’s love for me!

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  32. It’s funny how you have written about learning from a parent when I have written today about learning from children. Learning is truly all around us. Great writing as ever.

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  35. Thank you for this.. I am just trying to recognise the season in which I am in now.. And your words guided my soul on what I should look for and also that I should stop looking elsewhere and just be; and be in the presence of the Lord.. I thank you and to your wonderful Mom.

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  36. Howdy Caralyn
    Am becoming a real fan. Thought hey, today’s Thursday that great girl who writes well and loves Christ Jesus is posting again.
    I wish to God , ahh, nevermind. My only comment about being “worthy”of a man’s love is this. You young lady are so far off the chart triple threat perfect inside and outside your like a Lamborghini Aventador in a lot full Kias. Finding a man you want and he wants you should be pretty darn snappy. You are in deed beauty beyond bones.
    I been praying for God to bless you big time. And he will.
    HE WILL.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey Roland! Thanks so much for this encouragement. Haha that’s so kind of you to say. Seriously that made me smile. Too kind, sir! Too kind! Thank you for your prayers, friend. You rock!! Hugs and love xox

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  38. Hi, It’s been a week since I tarted to visit your blog and I can definitely say this: Your Blog is Amazing! I’m becoming one of your fans <3…..

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      1. Thank you as well beautybeyondbones, your blogs are motivating and inspiring. I loved it, so much. love lots.

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  39. ahhh, liked it.
    Prayer with loud voice and in front of others release you powerfully and allow you to know who you are. You are hearing your voice repeating encouraging words that makes your mind and would fill with God’s heart word. Oh I remember first time prayed in group such a melting away for me. but when I backed now _ I see wow what a day. It is great to pray with others.. so Good. do it with your friends.
    Thanks for sharing 🙂
    have you recently checked my blog ? Did you know that a new book will be relegated in December ?
    have you read my short ebook about “7 things for your soul” .

    Like

  41. Wow! Bautiful post!..My imagination played along as I read the whole article. Such a wonderful mother-daughter scenario. Made me miss my mom. God bless you both!

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  44. I recognize God’s love in so many different ways:
    An empty cross.
    A harmony in a piece of music that hits all the right notes.
    The color of the autumn leaves on my walks through the forest preserve.
    The smile of my wife across the dinner table.
    A chuckle from one of my sons.
    A passage of Scripture that just explodes so unexpectedly off the page during a devotion.

    And in response to this line in your post: “For the last couple years now, I’ve been on the quest for love….”

    I was there, in that very same place, when I was in my early 20’s. Looking back at that time now from my early 50’s I lament all that I missed in life, my life and the life of my beloved friends, because I was questing for love. If I could go back and talk to my early 20’s self I would tell him, “Relax! Love will find you. You don’t have to go looking for it! That’s the way love works. After all, God sought you out – remember? ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’! Enjoy life, enjoy the moment.” That’s what I would tell myself.

    Keep up the good work and writing! You are God’s inspiration to so many of us!

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  45. Same here. Praying in front of someone just makes me feel so… bare.. Hahaha.. I love it when God uses such gentle subtlety to remind us of his presence in our lives. God Bless. xo

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  47. Beautiful Caralyn, just beautiful! As a recovering codependent I too am still learning how to let somebody love me and to let God love me. For most of my life I lived it believing I was not worthy of love but now that I am getting older I am learning new things about myself, life, and God. Thank you for this fresh reminder to let love in!

    Liked by 1 person

  49. There is nothing like surrendering in prayer.Bless you and your mom.I pray that when the time is right you find a love like no other.You deserve it.Thank you for always liking my posts.It does not go unnoticed.Have a beautiful weekend ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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