So off we went after work - I thought we could make it easy by 5:00 and we did. But what I didn't figure was the position of the mountain and sun in relationship to the bridge. We got there about 5 minutes after the sun was behind the mountain. I took a few pictures but none were what I wanted. We walked on up the trail a little and I took a few pictures of Little River. It was good to be in the mountains again but I was a little disappointed.
Right after we passed the Laurel Falls parking lot, there is a overlook and there it was - unexpected beauty. The picture I wasn't looking for - a full moon over the mountain. It was beautiful and took my breath away.
But then I turned around and I saw the unexpected.
This week I have been reading from Isaiah and part of chapter 55 came to mind.
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:6-9
I am grateful for the unexpected beauty that I saw, but I am even more grateful for a God who works in unexpected ways, who abundantly pardons, who loves higher than we can ever love. I pray you see the unexpected in your life and remember that God's ways are higher than ours.