New Eyes

Ok, I have to apologize. I lied to you, accidentally. I actually traded the Saint Victoire climb today for some much needed snooze-time. I would have had to get going before 8am in order to beat the blistering afternoon heat, and 8am just flat out did not sound too appealing to me. So, 10am and a bike-ride it was. I rode to Vauvenargues (the petite ville where lies the Chateau de Picasso), which, by the way, is actually about 5km...all uphill. [Insert mental picture: I am at present walking slowly and carefully bent over so as not to agitate my already broken and fatigued little legs] I ported some vital necessities for a bikeride in my little sac, stopped by the post office to send some more postcards (be looking in the mail soon...yours is on the way!), and then headed to the Chateau de Picasso, only to find that it is currently closed to the public for renovation. To be honest, I thought of climbing the stone wall and just sneaking into it, but there were actually workers on site this morning, so I will delay the trespassing. Instead, I just sat across the street, in the courtyard of a little bistro with an elderly woman setting up shop for the day, and unpacked my sac of goodies.

[PAUSE]

*I am here going to detour from recounting the days' events to insert a lengthy sidebar.*
Remember how I told you that I was praying for the Lord to grant me favor with the family, the children, and to continue to bestow His favor upon my life? Well, when I opened my Bible Study material this morning, I entered into Psalm 123, which discusses how to obtain the Lord's favor. Coincidence? Never.

I plunged into the material, soaking up nearly every word, anxiously anticipating the next 'gros mot' (profound thought). I've told you that I know He is here, but today I felt Him here. I learned what I am actually asking for when I ask for His favor. I realized how to appropriately and effectively go about it, too. It's all about my attention span.

It makes sense that we listen to what we focus on (Beth Moore). When I am asking for favor, I am asking for His attention to be focused on me; yet, I forget that His attention is always on me!It is my attention that shifts, my focus that's thwarted. He bestows favor on those whose attention is solely on Him. Duh.

So, with literal tears of gratitude and an overwhelming sense of peace, I closed my books and opened my eyes to His favor, all around me! Before me was a grandmother strolling with her grandchild, the Chateau de Picasso, the Alps of Provence, the wonders of Southern France. How I wish you could see these things for yourself! How I wish and beg for you to experience His favor just as much as I am! I am so heavily satiated with His peace today. Yes, taste and see that the Lord is good.

[RESUME]

The ride home was absolutely glorious. You know how it is: You are smiling just because you feel like smiling, just because your mind is fixated on good things. Oh, to be so overwhelmed more often! To you who loves the countryside and cobblestone: Today was your day. I would have loved to have you ride alongside me, even if just for a bit. To say "it was just perfect" is quite the injustice. For it was, indeed, much better than that.

You can just imagine how the rest of my day went: I rested. When you really meet with Him, you are just nothing short of exhausted. So, I actually watched "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," for the first time today. And dinner? Yes, a typical only-Hannah-would-love-this meal: Chickpea salad with fresh red-leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and hard boiled eggs (don't worry, Bubba, I will never have a better hard boiled egg than the one you make!). I am actually laughing with the family as they make jokes now, so dinner is quite a bit more entertaining. English lessons ran much more smoothly this evening, as well. The boys are both truly brilliant and I rather enjoy teaching, so we make a good team. As for tomorrow, we are off to Porquerolles to spend a couple of days away from this paradise, in another paradise. Who would have thought it could be better?

Currently listening to: all of Bright Eyes

PS. Happy 4th of July. Light one for me, would ya?