Think About Whatever Is Lovely

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Ray and I decided to take the backroads again when we drove to Nashville for his appointment on Friday. We enjoyed a twisty, curvy, hilly—and lovely—ride. In Philippians 4 when Paul tells us what to think about, he tells us to dwell on several things, including what is lovely.

Finally, brethren, . . . whatever is lovely . . . dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Today I want to show you some of the lovely things we saw that day.

We were in the boonies when I stopped to take this picture on Friday morning. First, we enjoyed the loveliness of the scene and then the loveliness of a kindness. While we were stopped on this lonely road to take the photo, a kind man in a pickup truck stopped to see if we needed anything.

He waters the mountains from His upper chambers;
The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.
Psalm 104:13

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises to our God on the lyre,
Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who provides rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
Psalm 147:7-8

You have crowned the year with Your bounty,
And Your paths drip with fatness.
The pastures of the wilderness drip,
And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing.
Psalm 65:11-12

In the early afternoon, we arrived at Vanderbilt where Ray met with his original Vandy heart surgeon and also with a doctor who specializes in the alternate procedure they are now recommending. After we listened to both doctors explain the new plan, the new doctor told us that he plans to discuss Ray’s case with a heart team this coming Thursday. Someone is to call Ray on Friday to set up a date for the procedure. We are trusting that God has a purpose in every delay. Meanwhile we are thankful that Ray continues to feel good.

In the afternoon we went home by a different backroad route. The rain had stopped, but beautiful mists continued to rise over the hills.

Whatever the Lord pleases, He does,
In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
Who makes lightnings for the rain,
Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.
Psalm 135:6-7

Country drives are like our lives. Both are filled with changing scenes. If we are wise, we will trust God with those changing scenes. I love how the hymn, “My Jesus As Thou Wilt,” expresses this in the third verse.

My Jesus, as Thou wilt:
All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene
I gladly trust with Thee.

The entire day—the hills, the green, the rain, the mist, the skies, the doctor appointments in bustling Nashville—proclaimed the glory of God. As hymnwriter Isaac Watts (1674-1748) wrote in “I Sing Th’ Almighty Power of God:”

We sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.

We sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with his word
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Your wonders are displayed,
where’er we turn our eyes,
if we survey the ground we tread
or gaze upon the skies.

There’s not a plant or flower below
but makes Your glories known,
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from Your throne;
while all that borrows life from You
is ever in Your care,
and everywhere that we can be,
You, God, are present there.

Our return route brought us through our beloved Granville. As we crossed the bridge just south of town, Cordell Hull Lake was reflecting a lovely and awe-inspiring sunset.

They who dwell in the ends of the earth
stand in awe of Your signs;
You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.
Psalm 65:8

 

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