Traveling up the California coast, my body pressed against the molded truck seat soaking in the relaxation as my heart drank in the beauty of God’s creation along the route. Hubby and I were taking needed time off from a major project God had assigned us. Knowing others would be handling the details, we had peace of mind to dwell in the present beauty and the gift of restoration for our bodies and minds.

As we journeyed along, no rush to arrive at our next destination, I remembered this month of June held unprecedented glory if you could catch the colorful display in a small town called Lompoc. We tried to catch it more than forty years prior on our honeymoon, but the burst of blooms were nowhere to be found. Googling our journey, I directed us to the town of Lompoc where we met a delightful, chatty, small-town associate in the local Home Depot. We were given various possibilities of a route by this uncertain but helpful associate.

Not pressed for time, the adventurous spirit kicked in, but after traveling several miles with no outstanding sights we were about to head back to the main highway. Suddenly we discovered a sparse field dotted with colorful flowers. Hubby, who had been resistant on prior trips to spending too much time poking around an unfamiliar area, enthusiastically pulled the car down a nondescript dirt road that called to him.

Excited we journeyed onward and found glorious blooms of stock radiant in colors from yellow to deep purple stretching as far as the eye could see. Parking the truck on the side of the road, I hopped out into the mud that almost swallowed my sandals. We grabbed our camera and phone and captured the neatly planted rows of flowers laid out like a quilt. Up ahead were two college-aged young women running through an open space that led to the end of the bloom-blanketed area. They returned with their fists full of gorgeous stalks. They approached us and one of them asked if we wanted any. Knowing the restrictions posted on a nearby sign, we declined. Then one of the young ladies explained that she knew the owners who allowed her to pick some flowers. Her friend was an exchange student from Spain, just adding to the day’s color and joy.

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The young women took photos of us with the backdrop of colorful rows of stock. Filled with laughter and joy, we were ready to climb back in our truck and continue the journey, but not before I washed off my foot at an irrigation pipe. Have you had a similar time when the Lord fulfilled a longing of your heart unexpectedly?

Back in the car, the joy overflowed for both of us. A site we had longed to see for years. It was like God had saved the perfect time to refresh us with His bountiful beauty and joy.

A little aside–my heart wanted to burst at Hubby’s willingness to scoot around areas unknown to us to find fields of flower for an anniversary present. That wasn’t the idea in his head at the time but it does remind me of one of my favorite movies, “While You were Sleeping.” In the movie, Sandra Bullock, as Lucy, states she fell in love with Jack because he put a “stamp” in her passport for their honeymoon. That was the kind of love bubbling up in me for Hubby. Love from his desire to fulfill a dream for me that we had to bypass many times on our way up the California Coast.

God has many ways of blessing our lives because He understands the truth-founded desires of our hearts. Ones that glorify Him and bring us joy as we draw closer to the Bridegroom of our souls. What surprises of joy has God given you that continue to well up with sweet thanksgivings in your heart? What’s your story?

From My Heart to Yours,

Janis

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