Loved

Ever feel alone? Left out? Different? Rejected? Less valuable than others?

Ever wonder if God REALLY wants you in His family? After all... you did or said what you did or said. Can’t take it back and can’t change the past. 

Worry no more.

God wants you. 
God won’t reject you.
God won’t send you away because you’re different.

God loves different. God CREATED different. 

It doesn’t matter how you think you look today. Or how badly they make fun of you. Who you are in Christ is defined by the One who knit you together not by the ones trying to pick you apart. 

You could have broken dreams, a broken heart, or be broken in spirit... imperfect or all-together wrecked.

God wants you to know something today.

You are not an accident.
You are not less valuable than anyone else.
You are loved.

Let that sink in a second... the one Who started your heart beating is in love with it. He declares His devotion to you over and over in scripture. He doesn’t have you confused with your overachieving brother... or the rich lady down the street... or the perfect parent at the pediatrician’s office. 

He is talking about you. 

He wants you to know that your past doesn’t define you and your future has yet to be written. 

You are loved.

I'll Let You Know

I heard a story once about a husband who was being yelled at by his wife.  Everyday she nagged him and pestered him with the same statement, “Why don’t you tell me you love me anymore?”  After several weeks of this, the man simply couldn’t take it anymore.  After his wife finished her daily tirade, he slowly turned to her and said, “You want to know why I don’t tell you I love you?  Because when me got married, I told you then.  If that ever changes... I’ll let you know.”

Why don’t we say it more?  Do your friends know you care about and love them?  How about your spouse?  Has there ever been a mentor in your life?  Brother or sister?

If they were gone tomorrow.... would they know how you feel about them?

Life is way too short to go around assuming people know how we feel.  Look at today’s verses...

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  John 13:34-35

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  Matthew 22:36-39

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Jesus Christ didn’t wait to tell us He loved us... in fact, He climbed on a cross so there would be no doubt... He was crucified to eliminate any wonder...  We never have to guess God’s intent or doubt His feelings.  

Jesus is passionate about us

In the verses, He tells us to express our love for each other in a similar way.   Sacrificially...wholly...without reservation, embarrassment, shame, or condition.  

Love those God has placed in our lives... and remind them of that love regularly.  Who is it in your life that you haven’t expressed your feelings towards in a while?

Is it your friend who has never left your side while you lay in the pit?

Is it a spouse who stood by your bedside while doctors treated you?

Is it a mentor who never made you feel like you were bothering them with the 500th question?

Is it your child...who is still trying to figure out the world, their emotions, and your rules all at the same time?  

Is it someone who has hurt you in your family.  The pain runs deep.  They seek underserved forgiveness and you’ve met them with silent stares.

Who needs you to tell them you love them today?

I found this anonymous quote: “Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: Saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing, and wish you had?”

Mistakes are fixable but regret is forever.  Don’t wait.  Make today the day you tell those special people in your life how you feel about them.  Love them, encourage them, and remind them that no matter how deep the hole, how dark the valley, or how challenging the storm... you will be there for them.

Because they matter to God.

Because they matter they matter to you.

and you love them.

God Loves You

“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.

In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”   -  Exodus 15:13

God is active, engaged, and present in your life.  

He leads those He loves.

He leads the people that know Him as Savior.

He leads them to a better place.

And He loves you.  

He will guide you, provide for you, and strengthen you as you battle through what kept you awake last night. 

There is not one moment of one day that you aren’t on His mind.  

God is love.

God gives love.

And He loves you.

When you need His wisdom...His grace...His peace...His strength...His protection...

He will be there.  Not a second before the perfect time.  You may not feel Him or think He’s there… But at the right moment...when you don’t know where else to turn...

He will intervene.  

And He loves you. 

God loves and protects His own.  You are precious to Him.  And when He steps in... you will be reminded once more of His goodness and unending passion to see His children succeed.  

He knows what’s best for you to do.

He knows the right time.

He knows how to get there.

He knows that you’re hurting.

He knows what it’s like to sacrifice.

He knows every tear you’ve cried.

He knows that blessings are coming.

He knows you.  

And He loves you. 

What You Need

I found this passage...written by someone who suffered with cancer....

“When I was diagnosed with Cancer:  

My first friend came and expressed his shock by saying, "I can’t believe that you have cancer. I always thought you were so active and healthy." He left and I felt alienated and somehow very "different."

My second friend came and brought me information about different treatments being used for cancer. She said "Whatever you do, don’t take chemotherapy. It’s a poison!"  So she left and I felt scared and confused.

My third friend came and tried to answer my "whys?" with the statement "Perhaps God is disciplining you for some sin in your life?"  He left and I felt guilty.

My fourth friend came and told me, "If your faith is just great enough God will heal you." She left and I felt my faith must be inadequate.

My fifth friend came and told me to remember that "All things work together for good." He left and I felt angry.

My sixth friend never came at all.  I felt sad and alone.

My seventh friend came and held my hand and said, "I care, I’m here, I want to help you through this."  She left and I felt loved!

-Linda Mae Richardson

God says the same thing to you.

You may not be dealing with cancer today.  But you could still be in need of care.  It might be a broken marriage, a jaded heart, or an empty bank account. 

People will mean well when they try to help.  They’ll use logic, their related past experiences, and researched information.  Some will stick around.  Some won’t.  Even your very best friend in the world can’t do what God does.  

God is different.  He looks past what you’re calling out for and gives you what you need.  He sees your scars and counts the tears that roll down your face...reminding you that He Himself was scarred and wept so that you could ultimately spend your eternity free from pain.  

God is consistent.  His feelings for you don’t change.   You can’t make Him love you more... and He isn’t going to love you less.  You are infinitely flawed and infinitely valuable to Him...and He will never quit on you.  He doesn’t promise you constant sunshine... but He does guarantee His presence in your storms. He won’t leave your bedside.  Feeling alone?  Nothing helping your situation?  Ready to give up?

Don’t you dare. 

If you are going through something today.  Simply stop. Sit somewhere and read through this verse:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

God is telling you something.  Do you hear it?  He is telling you... 

I care.

I’m here.

I want to help you through this.

Grab His hand and never let go.  

Clean

A story is told of a man whose children each won a goldfish from a carnival.  Not having anything to put them in... the man went to a local pet store for a tank.  As he walked past the expensive aquariums, a sale tag caught his eye.  Five dollars for a used fish tank.  Perfect.  He bought the obviously used and dirty tank and took it home for a good cleaning.  The fish looked beautiful swimming through the now clean glass.  Then they started dying.  One fish was gone by morning... one the next day... and the third?  It held on for two full days.  The man was confused... what had caused these fish to perish?  Then he remembered... when he cleaned the tank he had used soap.  A definite no-no.  Good intentions... bad way of carrying them out. 

Many times we treat our own lives the same way.  Things get dirty... polluted... difficult.. and instead of running to God’s Word to get things clean... we use far more abrasive and toxic methods.  We condemn ourselves and choose to become self-critical.  Before long, we start to believe that what we did defines who we will always be.  We see our stains as permanent and our errors as unforgivable...  And soon after, that dream inside our heart begins to die.   God has another way.  A safer way.  We need to allow Him to define us.  We call ourselves messed-up... God calls us masterpiece.  We say we’re cursed... God calls us blessed.  Ready to do some cleaning?  Don’t be harsh on yourself and abuse what Christ died for... allow His loving words about you to wipe away the smudges on your heart.  

And He Loves You

“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.

In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”   -  Exodus 15:13

God is active, engaged, and present in your life.  

He leads those He loves.

He leads the people that know Him as Savior.

He leads them to a better place.

And He loves you.  

He will guide you, provide for you, and strengthen you as you battle through what kept you awake last night. 

There is not one moment of one day that you aren’t on His mind.  

God is love.

God gives love.

And He loves you.

When you need His wisdom...His grace...His peace...His strength...His protection...

He will be there.  Not a second before the perfect time.  You may not feel Him or think He’s there… But at the right moment...when you don’t know where else to turn...

He will intervene.  

And He loves you. 

God loves and protects His own.  You are precious to Him.  And when He steps in... you will be reminded once more of His goodness and unending passion to see His children succeed.  

He knows what’s best for you to do.

He knows the right time.

He knows how to get there.

He knows that you’re hurting.

He knows what it’s like to sacrifice.

He knows every tear you’ve cried.

He knows that blessings are coming.

He knows you.  

And He loves you. 

Missing

I once read a quote from a 6 year old girl named Emma.  She said, “Love is when you’re missing some of your teeth but you’re not afraid to smile because your friends will still love you even though some of you is missing.”  That quote made me think of a passage of scripture I read in Romans 5... “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  

So many of us feel like something’s missing... we don’t measure up...we’ve blown it... we don’t feel worthy of Jesus’ love... But this passage assures us that Jesus doesn’t love us because we’re perfect... He loves us because He chooses to.  He loves us so much that He died for us while we were still broken, hurting, and incomplete.  Now, that’s a reason to smile!

Different?

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13

Author Mary Ann Bird shared this very personal story in The Whisper Test. She wrote, “I grew up knowing I was different, and I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate, and when I started school, my classmates made it clear to me how I looked to others: a little girl with a misshapen lip, crooked nose, lopsided teeth, and garbled speech.”

“When classmates asked, ‘What happened to your lip? I’d tell them I’d fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident than to have been born different. I was convinced that no one outside my family could love me.”

“There was, however, a teacher in the second grade that we all adored—Mrs. Leonard [was her] name. She was short, round, happy—a sparkling lady.”

Annually we had a hearing test . . .

Mrs. Leonard gave the test to everyone in the class, and finally it was my turn. I knew from past years that as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher sitting at her desk would whisper something, and we would have to repeat it back—things like “The sky is blue” or “Do you have new shoes?” I waited there for those words that God must have put into her mouth. [They were] seven words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard said in her whisper, “I wish you were my little girl”

Ever feel alone?  Left out?  Different?  Rejected?  Less valuable than others?

Ever wonder if God REALLY wants you in His family?   After all... you did or said what you did or said.  Can’t take it back and can’t change the past.  

Worry no more.

God wants you.  

God won’t reject you.

God won’t send you away because you’re different.

God loves different.  God CREATED different.  

It doesn’t matter how you think you look today.  Or how badly they made fun of you.   Who you are in Christ is defined by the One who knit you together not by the ones trying to pick you apart.  

You could have broken dreams, a broken heart, or be broken in spirit...  imperfect or all-together wrecked.

God wants you to know something today.

You are not an accident.

You are not less valuable than anyone else.

You are loved.

Let that sink in a second... the one Who started your heart beating is in love with it.   He declares His devotion to you over and over in scripture.  He doesn’t have you confused with your overachieving brother... or the rich lady down the street... or the perfect parent at the pediatrician’s office.  

He is talking about you. 

He wants you to know that your past doesn’t define you and your future has yet to be written.  

You are loved.

He Knows

“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.

In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”   -  Exodus 15:13

God is active, engaged, and present in your life.  

He leads those He loves.

He leads the people that know Him as Savior.

He leads them to a better place.

And He loves you.  

He will guide you, provide for you, and strengthen you as you battle through what kept you awake last night. 

There is not one moment of one day that you aren’t on His mind.  

God is love.

God gives love.

And He loves you.

When you need His wisdom...His grace...His peace...His strength...His protection...

He will be there.  Not a second before the perfect time.  You may not feel Him or think He’s there… But at the right moment...when you don’t know where else to turn...

He will intervene.  

And He loves you. 

God loves and protects His own.  You are precious to Him.  And when He steps in... you will be reminded once more of His goodness and unending passion to see His children succeed.  

He knows what’s best for you to do.

He knows the right time.

He knows how to get there.

He knows that you’re hurting.

He knows what it’s like to sacrifice.

He knows every tear you’ve cried.

He knows that blessings are coming.

He knows you.  

And He loves you. 

Good

Psalm 145:9-16

The Lord is good to everyone. 
He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

Psalm 145 above reminds us of why God is so good all the time...

He is compassionate (vs. 9) - He cares about us on an intimate level... He knows it hurts and He never leaves us.

He is strong (vs. 11 and 12) - God is powerful enough to take our biggest struggles away... and determined enough to let us endure them to develop perseverance.

He keeps His promises (vs. 13) - When God says it... He doesn’t change it. His word is steadfast, true, and meant to be taken literally in your mind and heart. You may not be able to bank on much in this world... but God does what He promises He will do.

He is gracious (vs. 13) - We get what we haven’t earned. God gives grace when we deserve punishment.

He helps us up when we fall (vs. 14) - Feeling beaten down? We all do from time to time. God never leaves us when we are at our weakest...when we stumble... when we fail. In fact, it is during those times that when we turn to Him... He helps us back up.

He provides (vs. 16) - Too many times we look to God and wonder... “Why would a good God not provide for me?” What we miss is what we already have. When we look at our situation through the lens of gratitude...we realize that God provides what we need not necessarily what we want.

Every single thing we have, are, or will ever be comes from God.

Don’t let your circumstances or emotions determine your opinion of the goodness of God. He is and always will be the same. Unflinchingly in love with you... Committed to helping you discover and reach your potential... Intentionally nudging your heart to obedience... Lovingly whispering encouragement to your soul.

Even when we don’t understand why
Even when we don’t see the fruits of our labor
Even when the skies grow cloudy and the rains fall in our lives
Even when the enemy tries to convince us otherwise...

God is good.

I may not understand the world but God is good.
Bad things may happen but God is good.
I may feel life is unfair but God is good.
I may not see the destination and get frustrated in the road to get there...

But God. is. good.

For You

How often do we forget the power of God?   Sometimes it’s when we are in financial crisis... other times we get scared when the doctor tells us she found something on our X-rays.  Fear sets in.  Storm clouds gather.  We feel helpless, hopeless, and alone. Can God REALLY do what the Bible says He can?

I think some of the most common doubting takes place when it comes time to pray.   Is God listening to me?  Does He even care?  If He does hear me... what will his answer be?  What if He says “wait”  or even  “No..”  What will I do then?  If you’ve ever found yourself wondering the same thing when you pray, today’s verse has good news for you  Ready for it?  Here it is:

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”  -  Romans 8:31b 

God is for you.  

Read that one more time...  God is for you.

Paul asks... “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

Great question... but doubt no more... God is for you. He has your best interests in mind.  He is your protector, sustainer, provider, caretaker, and loving Heavenly Father.  Even if you question His power... or face challenges and stresses that seem beyond your ability to handle them... God always knows what’s best for you.  Stand strong knowing that even though you may not receive the prayer answer you’re expecting... He is listening.   The response you get will always be the right one.... in the right time... and there is nothing on Earth that will be able to stand against you with the King of Kings in your corner.  

Never give up... Keep going.

Never stop praying... He’s listening.

Never forget... God is for you.

And He always will be.  

Love Him

I am often asked... 

“Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?”

“What does God want me to do with my life?”

“Why won’t God give me clarity?”

“When are things going to get easier?”

“Why don’t I get the same blessings as my friends?”

 My answer is always the same.  It’s one little word that, when lived out, changes things.  God blesses us... our lives move forward... we gain lucidity...  and our life’s purpose and direction come into focus.  Nine letters that are easy to say but challenging to commit to.  That word:

obedience.

John Newton, the writer of the most popular hymn in history, "Amazing Grace" said:

"… if two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the same time, one of them to go and rule over the greatest nation on earth and the other to go sweep the streets of the dirtiest village, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.

It simply wouldn’t matter to them. Why? Because the real joy lies in being obedient to God. For a Christ follower, the important thing isn’t what God has us doing; the important thing is that we’re doing what God wants us to do." 

(Lee Strobel, God’s Outrageous Claims, 93)

Regardless of our profession, income, or social status...God wants us to live our lives in a particular way.  When we do, He blesses us.  When we don’t, we struggle.  It’s not God being mean... it’s us missing the mark.  It’s not because we don’t know what He wants from our lives... it’s because we decide daily to simply not do them.  So what does obedience look like?  What does it take to please God.   There are several ways... but we’ll start with the most important two...

Love Him

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”   Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus said that the first step of obedience is loving God.  Always putting Him first.  It means maintaining a growing and thriving relationship with the One who created us.  This includes putting His agenda above our own... consulting Him and allowing Him to guide decisions... reading scripture and actually living out the words therein.  Loving God means affection for Him... expressing our genuine love with our whole heart.   We must be loyal to Him... protect His name and speak it often... spend time with Him... listen for His voice... talk to Him... honor Him... brag about Him... and so much more.    Obedience begins a commitment (or re-commitment) to love God first and above all others.  If He isn’t our first and most important influence... we have someone (or something) in the wrong place. 

Take a few minutes today in prayer and tell God how much you love Him... write it in your journal... tell a close friend... and never forget that as much as you love Him...

He loves you more.   And He always will.  

Join me tomorrow and we’ll look at the second way we can please God... 

The Table

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”  Romans 3:23

I read of a small boy who had been consistently late for dinner. One particular day his parents had warned him to be on time, but he arrived later than ever. He found his parents already seated at the table, about to start eating. Quickly he sat at his place, and then noticed what was set before him--a slice of bread and a glass of water. There was silence as he sat staring at his plate, crushed. 

Sometimes we make mistakes.  Sometimes we repeat the same mistakes.  Again and again and yet again.  Our plate sits in front of us... and we feel far more than hunger pains….regret.  sorrow.  guilt.  shame.  sadness.   We hurt.  

We stare at disappointment and realize that we caused it... We sinned... we did the wrong thing.  Will we hurt forever?  Will they ever forgive?  Will God ever see us the same way?  Am I broken?  Unloved?   If only we had one more chance...one last conversation...one opportunity to wind the clock back and make things right.

This young boy’s story wasn’t over...

Suddenly he saw his father’s hand reach over, pick up his plate and set it before himself. Then his dad put his own full plate in front of his son, smiling warmly as he made the exchange. When the boy became a man, he said, "All my life I’ve known what God was like by what my father did that night.

What is God like?

Sacrificial and unconditionally loving.

Full of grace...not condemning judgment

Full of hope...not unending despair 

Full of forgiveness...not relentless blame

God reaches across the table and replaces what we deserve with what we haven’t earned.   As Christ-followers, when we ask for forgiveness, He takes our bread and water... our sin... our punishment... our condemnation... our mistakes... and allows us yet another chance. 

Grace from a loving Father.

Love from a graceful God. 

Feeling discouraged by past failure?   Afraid to show your face around God’s table?

Don’t be.  

There will always be a chair waiting... plenty of food... and a warm embrace from the One who knew that you would sin and created you anyway.   

Just a Reminder...

“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.

In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”   -  Exodus 15:13

God is active, engaged, and present in your life.  

He leads those He loves.

He leads the people that know Him as Savior.

He leads them to a better place.

And He loves you.  

He will guide you, provide for you, and strengthen you as you battle through what kept you awake last night. 

There is not one moment of one day that you aren’t on His mind.  

God is love.

God gives love.

And He loves you.

When you need His wisdom...His grace...His peace...His strength...His protection...

He will be there.  Not a second before the perfect time.  You may not feel Him or think He’s there...

But at the right moment...when you don’t know where else to turn...

He will intervene.  

And He loves you. 

God loves and protects His own.  You are precious to Him.  And when He steps in... you will be reminded once more of His goodness and unending passion to see His children succeed.  

He knows what’s best for you to do.

He knows the right time.

He knows how to get there.

He knows that you’re hurting.

He knows what it’s like to sacrifice.

He knows every tear you’ve cried.

He knows that blessings are coming.

He knows you.  

And He loves you. 

Smile

I once read a quote from a 6 year old girl named Emma.  She said, “Love is when you’re missing some of your teeth but you’re not afraid to smile because your friends will still love you even though some of you is missing.”  That quote made me think of a passage of scripture I read in Romans 5... “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  

So many of us feel like something’s missing... we don’t measure up...we’ve blown it... we don’t feel worthy of Jesus’ love... But this passage assures us that Jesus doesn’t love us because we’re perfect... He loves us because He chooses to.  He loves us so much that He died for us while we were still broken, hurting, and incomplete.  Now, that’s a reason to smile!

The God Container

“But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!” - King Solomon in 2 Chronicles 6:18

A little boy was playing in the sand on the seashore. He dug a large pit in the ground and began to scoop water from the ocean into the freshly opened hole. He did this dozens of times before an elderly man approached him and asked “What are you trying to do by going back and forth from the ocean and pouring water into your pit?” The little boy said very enthusiastically, “Sir, can’t you see? I’m emptying the ocean!”

When we read this story we want to dismiss it as the naïve thoughts of a young mind. We all know that emptying the ocean into a small hole is impossible... that the majestic sea can’t be contained in one comparatively tiny area. Yet many of us try to do that with God. We attempt to take His majesty and contain it in a box the size of our problem. 2 Chronicles 6 tells us that even the highest heavens can’t hold God. He is everywhere. Big enough to handle what hurts and close enough to hear the quietest desperate prayer. Resist the urge to think of God in finite constraints.... and praise Him that He is everywhere at one time... ready to help us as the loving Father that He is.

Missing the Moon

One afternoon, a Christian journalist was interviewing astronaut James Irwin. Irwin was on Apollo 15 and actually stepped foot on the surface of the moon. As the interview progressed, the writer asked the astronaut, “What did you feel when you stepped out of that capsule and your feet touched the surface of the moon?” Irwin thought a second and said, “it was one of the most profoundly disillusioning moments of my life.” The journalist quickly asked “Why?” James explained that his whole life had been spent dreaming about the moon.. how romantic and mysterious it was... and when he got there... all there was when he reached down was plain gray dirt.

James Irwin was standing miles and miles above his hometown on a giant orbiting rock that took thousands of man hours and millions of dollars to reach and all he saw was gray dust. Have you ever lost perspective like that? Miss the miracle because all you can see is the mundane? Forget the positive because of the problems? Many do. Never forget to be in awe of God and what He is actively doing in your life. He provides, protects, supplies, equips, and loves all of us equally and without a single one of us being worthy of it. When you find yourself tempted to let the uncommon become common... stop... get someplace quiet... and take inventory of the situation. I guarantee you’ll leave that moment reminded of God’s incredible love for you... and that the ground you’re currently standing on is more beautiful than you realize.