Somewhere Over the Rainbow

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Last week I went out to do some Christmas Shopping.  I was overwhelmed with frowning people.  Driving was a nightmare, as people were aggressively cutting in and out of the lanes.

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I went into one shop, and as I was looking at a purse, I accidently knocked over some luggage.  It was funny really, because on this platform they had placed numerous suitcases all on wheels.  As one toppled over it pushed all of them rolling off the platform.




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I started to pick them up and some nice lady who had been standing with her friend at the register came over to help me.  Her friend kept yelling to her "don't do that, don't help her, just leave it."

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Then I went to the register to pay for the purse, and some woman literally walked faster to cut in front of me.  I left the store and went the long way home.  It was starting to get dark and the Christmas lights were beginning to be in view.

I drove home the long way so that I could stop by the Lady Fatima Shrine Park.

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They have music piped in throughout the park and 1,000's of lights decorating all around the religious statues.

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The last time I had visited was before Thanksgiving, and some man all alone was beginning to decorate the park.

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That night I was in awe seeing these lights and what an amazing job it must have been.

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As I turned the car off, I sat for a minute and rolled down the window to listen to the music.  This song was playing, by the same group II Divo and they sung this lovely version of Over The Rainbow,

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The park was illuminated to celebrate Christ.  I had the park to myself and decided to go for the walk through the park, admiring the lights and embracing the moment.  I didn't even care that it was cold.

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I left the park that night with my spirit renewed, and it changed the meaning of this song for me forever.

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Someday, we will go over the Rainbow, it was God who gave us the symbol of the rainbow to remind us of His promise.

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We all will be different to each other, and Jesus Christ will be our joy.

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We will spend everyday remembering the true meaning of Christmas.  All adversity will be behind us and there will be a new heaven and earth.  Every tear will be gone and kindness and love with reign...when we are Over The Rainbow.
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a newearth, where righteousness dwells."  2 Peter 3:13


I am linking my post to Spiritual Sunday, where you will find Charlotte and Ginger's blessings.



Celestina Marie said...

Karen,
This is just beautiful and once again you have passed on a lesson for this season. I am so glad you had this gorgeous park of lights with the beautiful music of Somewhere Over The Rainbow to calm the treatment of your shopping day. The hustle and bustle of shopping gets so crazy and made worse by the inconsideration of some at times. It can leave us disheartened, so the fact that you were lead to the park is truly a blessing and God's way of saying, I love you. Plus, God knows your heart Karen and HE knows the love and dearness that lives within you.

Thank you so much for this lovely post and wonderful real story of hope and the true spirit of Christmas.
Have a special holiday with your family and friends and thank you so much for your treasured friendship.
Love to you,
Celestina Marie

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Very beautiful...photos and message! We went to a park to view lights last night and had the most wonderful experience! I wish I could write like you do...to share it! Enjoy your Sunday! We're staying home all day today to rest and relax! And to enjoy the things we have! ♥

Elaine said...

It is a shame that manners and respect has disappeared with so many other things our great grandparents taught their children and so on down the line. I alove to hear ll Divo sing... I am glad you left with a feeling of contenment after the ruddness you saw all day.

Sunday blessing to you

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning, beautiful....this was so close to my heart as I also feel sad when our humanity gets the best of us. But how perfect that God would lead your path towards this sacred little place that this one man prepared for YOU and others to come and take in the quiet of the lights....oh how appropriate. Many hugs to you as I embrace your sweetness and love of Jesus during HIS time of the year and always, Anita

MARIA said...

Merry Christmas my Dear Online Angel!

Denise said...

I so enjoyed your post today,what you had to say and your photos.Thank you

david santos said...

Really a fantastic posting!
I love your work. Merry Christmas my Dear Online Friend!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

What a wonderful post! Thanks for reminding us of God's promises and also to take time to enjoy the real meaning of the season. Pictures are beautiful.

Donnie said...

That was really a wonderful Christmas story and puts it all into perspective. Have a blessed Sunday.

Tristan Robin said...

I'm so glad that you took the time to ENJOY the season, and didn't feel you had to go like gangbusters THROUGH the season, as so many do today.

Lovely post - as always - and very uplifting.

This is my first day back making my blog rounds after my autumnal hiatus - and coming here is like visiting a favorite neighbor!

Musings of A Minister said...

Wonderful post. Beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

How important it is that we all remember the true meaning of Christmas!

MTJ said...

Hi Karen,

Thank you for sharing the lovely pictures; I felt as if I was walking along with you as my tour guide.

There is a special joy for me as we near the celebration of the birth of our Lord. It is a joy that Christ gives.

I'm glad that in the midst of hearing insensitive words, and witnessing the impatience demonstrated on the roads, you stopped and allowed the joy of the Lord to give you peace and consolation that quieted the noise.

This park reminds me of the festival of lights in Zilker Park. It was our first Christmas in Austin and the display of lights was like a celebration.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Susy said...

Hi Karen ~ this is similar to a lesson I learned a while back: sometimes you have to make your own rainbow. Good for you for not loosing your peace. And thanks for stopping by my blog. Blessings, Susy xo

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Karen,
Thank you for such a beautiful post. I can relate to the attitudes of others that just don't seem to care.

Our spirits often need to be renewed and a walk through a lovely park like this would do it for me too.

hugs
Sissie

Anonymous said...

You were given the opportunity to pause, reflect and be refreshed by God's promises. What a wonderful gift after a crazy experience in town!Thank you for sharing these photos with us. Lovely. And what you've written is inspirational!
God bless you.

Tete said...

Karen- I am so glad that your were renewed in this special place. It's amazing how we fail to take Christ with us as we rush around trying to get ready for his birthday. Good reminder that we have the power to lighten the load of someone else who might be having a bad day or make it worse because we don't take time to smile.
Hugs to you- Tete

Vee said...

Taking a deep sigh and feeling some stress roll off...

It's nice that I am reading this after having recently visited Kim at Happy at Home who posted photos of a rainbow in December. A rainbow in December!

What a spectacularly rotten day you were having until it all changed around with a visit to that park and those good and holy thoughts.

Thank you, my dear Karen...

Jeanne said...

Hello Karen, how sad that some people can't keep the joy of Christmas in their hearts. I live in a small town and the crowds while shopping are never bad. Maybe because we have very little places to shop. Walmart is busy but I like to shop at a store that is much like a Khol's and that's it for us here. People are always friendly here. We are blessed.

I'm glad you could find solace at the Shrine Park. It is truly beautiful. A tribute to God's love for us.
Warm hugs and wishes for a wonderful Christmas season.
Jeanne

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I don't understand people sometimes.. What a beautiful way to end your evening. The park looks so peaceful.
God Bless,
Ginger

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Karen, you have such a beautiful heart. Every moment you think generous things, will ripple a billion times out over the land, so that the frowning people will start smiling.
xo
Penny

Cindy said...

I am so glad your day turned around,reading your words with the music has just lifted my spirits. thank you for that. it is beautiful here as always. hugs.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Karen,
This is such a beautiful post. Your words and pictures are lovely! After your shopping experience I'm glad you were able to have the park to yourself and drink in all the beauty there. Yes, someday we will be 'over the rainbow' and in His presence. That's an awesome thought! You and and I will probably never meet but in the life to come you will know me and we can talk about your 'Miracle' painting and the hope it brought to me when I so desperately needed it. Have a lovely week, my friend.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

Jennifer said...

God shows us HIS love in so many ways... song, lights beauty. Having had Cancer and recently leaving an abusive husband - I know it sounds cliche but I view things a little more peacefully. So I find myself looking at the people that are angry, impatient and rude and asking God to give them peace. HE held me in HIS hands so many times when I had fear or uncertainty that I pray that HE will give ease to others. Honestly, I don't always have patience and sometimes I'm hurt or discouraged but HE has so much love for us ... how can I not try? Christmas lights - Charlotte Church = joy! Jennifer jennsthreegraces

Charlotte said...

I'm glad the day that started out so bad for you turned out to be such a good one. Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience and pictures with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Beverly said...

Karen, it is so sad to encounter people that aren't feeling love in their hearts. What a sad life they must lead. I daily rely on the joy that God gives me.

I count you among my blessings, dear friend.

Woolytales Miniatures said...

Dearest Karen,
I too LOVE the lights specially this time of the year that I forget sometimes that is all about the birth ofour Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your kindly remind!!!*grin*
Oh Yes,I know Tasha. I LOVE her work specially the later ones from the 90's. They were not as perfect, considering her age and I think that is when they became very very charming. No one draws like her to me . ...so very lovely!
(((( Thank you )))) for comming, it made me smile!!!! Thank you for your note the other day about sepia colors . I am experimenting with it.... so much fun!!!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
Lovingly~

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh my dear, dear friend,

Yes, Josh Groban's version of my favorite Oh Holy Night just makes me weep and takes me to a place of worship. I just think how HE came to live among us, work with us and SAVE US...isn't it profound when you have a personal moment like that? YES, BLUEBIRD NOTES IS A WONDERFUL, quick stop inspiration. Koralee is just an angel and is so talented in photography and combining the perfect dose of words with her images. And what can I say about Pat? She is an artist to be admired that puts all her energy in serving the Lord with her work.

What a firmament of stars above my head!!!

BLESSINGS, Anita

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