This summer, I started walking my dog.
To be clear, we’ve always walked her. But this summer, I started taking her on daily, 1+ mile hikes that made me breathe heavy and helped me close the exercise ring on my Apple watch (anyone else compete with themselves to close those darn rings??). We’ve walked one trail in particular in heat and scorching sun, we’ve walked it in cold drizzly rain, and now we’ve begun walking it as it’s covered in snow. My nine-year-old golden retriever much prefers the cold and snow to the hot summer. In August she would start to lag behind me after a mile logged, but now in December she trip-trops right alongside me all the way.
I asked my Instagram friends what I needed to wear to keep warm on these winter walks. I live in Minnesota, so outdoor walks bring us into ten or twenty degree weather, but I’m not willing to give up. In case you’re curious, I layer a poly-blend shirt, a fleece, and a down vest and don fleece-lined leggings with a pair of windbreaker pants over top. Wool socks keep my feet and ankles warm, and a hefty hat covers my ears. If the windchill dips below ten or so, I add a fleece scarf over my neck and the lower part of my face. And yeah, sometimes I make my dog wear a hat too.
Recently, I took to Instagram again to find out if there is such a thing as snow tire attachments for tennis shoes. Something to put on my footwear that would stop me from slip-sliding all over the snowy trail. Turns out there is such a thing (here’s looking at you, YaxTrax), but while I wait for my order to ship, I’ve walked in boots.
As we walk, we breathe in the cold air and quiet. We look at the slow-to-freeze-over lake, and the geese who cram onto the one open strip of water left. We peek in living room windows at decorated trees and dogs barking at the windows as we walk by. My heart rate is up, but I’m sure my blood pressure is down. There’s beauty around every turn, placed there by the One who created beauty in the first place.
Then one recent day, I saw beauty placed by a person — a wreath on a lamppost beside a lake and Christmas lights strung on evergreens that face a cornfield. Touches of holiday cheer placed solely for their beauty.
The people in the nearby homes can’t see the lights or the wreath, and the lake and cornfield won’t care either way. But the passerby on the trail will see. Our hearts will be brightened. And for whoever hung the wreath and lights, that thought was enough.
One good deed. One act of going out of their way. One thought of “maybe this will brighten a day.” One impulse or tradition followed. And because of it, I finish every walk grinning. I’m hoping one day to see the lights actually lit on those trees. I’m considering adding candy canes or something to the wreath. I’d really like to thank their owner and bring them a peppermint mocha, because I think the kind of person who hangs lights and wreaths just for the beauty of it is the kind of person with whom I want to be friends.
God too leaves little traces of beauty on our trails, just waiting to be noticed. He sends cardinals to bring pops of red into cold grey days. He offers beaming children to remind us of the joy in this season when that very season may be painful for us. He inspires the heart of someone to pay for the car behind them at Starbucks. That cup of hot tea at the end of the day, the wonderful fiction book that delighted our heart, and the friend who sends a text “just because” — all hallmarks of God’s quiet, unassuming beauty.
Reminds me a lot of one such birth, one such gift of don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it beauty.
A young unwed mama placing her hours-old baby in a manger. Heaven breaking through while donkeys and sheep look on. The mess of childbirth mingled with straw and holiness. As it is, childbirth is about as far as you can get from glamorous. Add in a stable, a young couple far from home and without a place to stay, and shepherds following a star? Sounds pretty messy.
But we know that’s how God works. God is a pro at making beauty from our messes, at mixing together holiness and ordinary, at surprising us with good things just when we least expect them.
And God does it for our joy. Not only that, but God delights in us because He made us, and God sees that little baby — His Son — in our hearts. Our joy, God’s glory.
So hang that wreath on the side garage. Hang lights on a tree in the backyard. Pay for the coffee order behind you. Do a few good deeds no one will ever give you credit for. Keep your eyes open for the wonder God speaks into our everyday ordinary.
And take your dog on a walk. You never know what you’ll see.
God's a pro at making beauty from our messes, at mixing together holiness and ordinary, at surprising us with good things just when we least expect them. -@annaerendell: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
God’s goodness shines through His creation with all its gratuitous beauty! Whenever I teach kids about the Genesis 1 story, I admit it–I’d have made one kind of tree, checked that off my list and moved on to “bird” and then”flower”: one of each. (Thanks be to God He is not a list-driven Enneagram 3!)
Your post makes me want to image God in all His over-the-top goodness that put mitochondria under the hood of our cells so that, one day, some bright eyed scientist could find them and so that Madeleine L’Engle could write about them.
“Gratuitous beauty” – I love that! He can be kind of a showoff, with good reason 😉 And your reference to the mitochondria made me smile BIG; that’s one of my favorite books of all time. Thanks for such a fun comment!
Anna,
Taking our almost 11 year old beagle on walks in the summer is like dragging a ball and chain through the sauna of heat and humidity that is summer in the south, but this time of year, their is a jaunt in his step and in mine too. Give me fall and winter. I can always put layers on, but in the summer there are only so many layers you can take off and remain decent. I love watching the birds come to my feeder. I know the differences between the bright red male cardinals….in fact I give them names. I wholeheartedly agree – look for the little because it’s there that we usually see Christ. The Israelites looked for a great and mighty king so they didn’t look for the little in the manger. So glad God brings us the awe inspiring in that which is often overlooked. Good for you in your persistence in walking. You look (and I’m sure feel) great! Love the doggie hat lol.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Give me fall and winter — yes and amen.
This is wonderful! Thank you! I have been determined to get in a better Christmas spirit, as our long term struggles seem to linger longer. While reading I envisioned myself back in the mountains taking a winter hike. It to made my blood pressure drop and my heart rate race. I was told by my Grandfather that if I ever doubted the existence of our Lord to just look up. He was everywhere. It put a new meaning to “keep your chin up.” This morning I am trying to do something I have never done. I have invited women I do not know for coffee in my town! I do hope they come! If not, worst case, I enjoy a cup of coffee alone. Best case, I have good company! Wish me luck!
Not sure of the etiquette on these threads, but Andrea, I wish you luck and am praying for your coffee!
Andrea,
What wonderful wise words shared by your Grandfather. I believe they’re true, that the extent of God is so much farther than we can reach, but yet He can reach us anywhere. I hope that all goes well with your coffee date.
Merry Christmas,
Andrea, I love your grandfather’s advice! My blog’s name is Look Up Sometimes (for that very reason) so that struck close to home. How awesome that even in your struggles you are persevering and doing new things! May the Lord sustain you and bless you. How did your coffee get together go?
Andrea, I’ve been so curious as to how your coffee gathering went! Please let us know, and know that no matter how many women showed up, you did a BRAVE and BEAUTIFUL thing in inviting!
It went well! The first one I had 5 women show up. It was great! I did it again last weekend and one lady came. It was great too. We ended up talking to a couple mom and daughters. The daughters had just gone to Passion in Atlanta last week. We had a great conversation! I am hoping to to do again this weekend. Thank you for checking on me! I really appreciate the replies!!
Anna,
I loved your words. I too am on a journey of seeking wonder (God’s presence). I have been posting daily on Instagram my quest to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. It is a daily reminder that He is with me through all the challenges I face each day. That perspective helps me feed joy instead of fear.
Love that Chris. God is so all about the extraordinary in the ordinary. I think it’s my favorite thing about Him.
Anna,
This time of year can be tough on so many levels. We need to search out His beauty. It is all around us. We need to slow down long enough to behold the artistry & elegance around us. He is a master at making beauty from ashes. Just take a gander at His birth. No big flashy neon signs. Just a young engaged couple obeying God. Birthing Jesus in a manger with smelly animals all around. Yet in the midst of that there is a quiet unassuming attraction that we can ponder in our hearts. He is a master at surprises. Look around you at millions of trees, birds, mountains. So much extavagance. Our church is doing a live nativity complete with sheep. It takes you aback to see it in person & envision what everyone felt back then. Let’s slow down long enough to enjoy His goodness that is around us.
Blessings 🙂 Merry Christmas & have a blessed New Year!
Beth I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that your new year is off to a wonderful beginning!
Thank you Anna. This is the way I see things when I am out and about. It brings joy to my heart and mind. Thank you for sharing this with others so they will be able to begin to see and feel the beauty all around them.
Adria it’s sweet to be in good company!
You write beautifully! Down here in South Florida I had a chill walking with you and feeling your journey.
Oh Janet, if I can offer a chill to a Floridian, there really must be something to my words! 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment.
Hello Anna–I also live in Minnesota with two labradors that I love to be outdoors with! I can completely relate. There is something extra special about walks on peaceful winter days. The quiet makes it easier for me to spot God for sure. Thanks for the post and wishing you Merry Christmas.
Elizabeth,
I also have a Lab that loves to go for walks on the trail, but most of all she loves the beach. This will be her first Christmas with us.
Have a blessed day and Merry Christmas
Penny
Awww . Love those labs. Merry Christmas, Penny!!
Elizabeth, that is so fun! Whereabouts are you in MN? I love making local connections!
I live in Rochester, which is SE MN. Love the local connection too. I am also a writer, focusing primarily on picture books, although I did submit once to Incourage and had a devotion published online.
The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork…there is no speech nor language, where their ‘voice ‘ is not heard+.. We love Him because He first loved us .Memorize John 3:16.
Thank-you for sharing Lawrence
Blessings to you, and Merry Christmas
Penny
What a lovely, heart warming post, Anna. It is so true. God surrounds us with beauty, but we need to look! Our neighbors put lights on their fence this year, and every evening it warms my heart as I take a moment to pause and say a prayer of thanks.
How lovely, Susan! I just love those who take time for beauty.
Anna,
I really enjoyed your thoughtful words. Thank-you for sharing……Yes, if we take the time to look, we will see God’s beauty is all around us, and that kind gestures like the adorned lamp post can be simply some of the best, with the identity known to God and them.
I hope that you all have a Merry, blessed Christmas,
Penny
Thanks so much, Penny! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that your new year is off to a beautiful beginning.
Love this post…and especially that doggie hat .you have encouraged my heart… I am 70 and struggle with Osteo and need to get out and walk. but so cold here -15 yup that was a minus you read…today.. Sooo I THANKYOU for the clothing ideas and the challenge and the spiritual insight and am off to head to Sport Check for those wind pants ..
Merry Christmas Blessings ..keep looking up to The Light. There is so very much we seem to miss of God’s world that is a blessing.
Yes Cheryl — I hear you on the MINUS 15! That’s winter to me! We visited my mother-in-law over Christmas, and the windchills there were in the negative 30’s. I kind of love it 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment. You be careful walking outside, especially if there’s any ice! That’s what I’ve found to be the most problematic, the ice. Sometimes my dog and I both slip and slide on a hidden patch.
Happy New Year to you!
Anna.. I feel like I went on your walk! How exilerating is your like girl! Thanks for the beautiful reminder that Emmanuel is with us.. everywhere every season. Twenty years ago, I walked in my local park daily.. I enjoyed every minute clearing my mind, figuring out strategies as a single mom for teens… and one cold day someone put birdseed bells and tinsel on a tree we passed by every single day. I added a red ornament and more came.. it stayed dressed until winter winds removed the tinsel and birds finished the bells.. isn’t creation gorgeous? Including that smiley face doggie and your cute self! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Sadie, how lovely is that warm memory?! Thank you so much for sharing it with us here!
I hope your Christmas was very merry indeed!
Anna, thank you for the reminder to do good even when it might only benefit one. I co-taught a children’s Bible study long ago under the mentorship of an amazing woman who blew me away with her wisdom, cheerfulness, and attitude. She endorsed “going all out” even if there was only one child in our class (and there was one class that consistently only had one), because the point was to hone our teaching skills and do it all for God’s glory. Your post reminded me of her. Thank you for reminding me it’s really God we’re working for. Even if no one else sees or appreciates our efforts He does, and that’s enough.
Pearl, I absolutely love that reminder. When I worked at a Bible camp in college our director had the same warning. He would remind us that for each camper, this was their ONE week at camp. It may have been our twelfth week, but it was the only one that camper got. What a brilliant way to frame perspective. Thank you for sharing that with me here!
I was confused how you could see anything when you’re hiking until I remembered that ‘hiking’ in Minnesota is very different from ‘hiking’ in western North Carolina. 🙂
Wow, though, ” the wonderful fiction book that delighted our heart”, a random line that sort of doesn’t quite seem to fit, made me freeze and look at my computer screen with wide eyes. That a wonderful fiction book is beauty from God just debunked a few lies I’d been believing, because I trust you as being wiser than I am. Thank you, Anna!!