Season of Winter

I went for a walk on Saturday morning through the trails of Schenley Park. It had been raining earlier and everything was just very sad and dreary looking, all browns and grays with very little color which made for a slightly depressing walk.  I was wishing that it was fall again with the beautiful orange and red leaves, or the spring with sunshine and flowers. I would have even been okay with a hot sticky summer when the trees provide a lush covering of green shade over the trail. But no it is winter, without the pretty snow,  and I was stuck with a boring and uninspiring walk ahead of me.

Schenley Park Trail

This made me think that often time people talk about how we have different season's in our lives; don't stress this job is only for a season of your life, I guess that relationship was just for a season or things may be hard now but remember it is only for a season-things will get better. As I was contemplating all of this and thinking about this current winter season, I noticed a small bit of color off the trail to my right. There clinging to the bare brown branches were bright yellow and red berries.

 The berries may not look like much, and in the spring, summer or fall they would get lost among all of the other colors of the woods. But in the winter, when everything is gone, these little berries stand to the forefront making their presence known. The little joys in life that may be over-looked when everything seems to be perfect, stand out as huge blessings during a season of winter in your life. A simple text from a friend who you haven't heard from in a while, getting a good deal on a new pair of boots or even the chance to sit and relax by yourself with a book at Starbucks can be just the blessings we need.

At the same time as I was walking along the trail, seeing these berries, thinking about winter and how I was going to write this blog post, a song came on my IPod that summed it all up: Beautiful Things by Gungor


The chorus just hit home about how God can make beautiful things out of the dust, out of us. Even when we feel bleak and uninspiring like the woods in the winter, God can use us for a purpose and creates unexpected beauty just like the red and yellow berries.  Blessings are all around us even in the winter when nothing seems to be going our way, we just need to stop and take the time to see them and praise God for all of the beautiful things.

Strengthening the Soul

Today was another gorgeous Sunday morning in Pittsburgh, and while I was tempted to spend all day in my air conditioned apartment watching the Olympics, I decided to head over to Frick Park for a much needed breath of fresh air.

The Braddock Trail in Frick Park

I've come to realize that it is not just my body that I get in shape when I go out for a walk/jog along the trials but I revitalize my spirit as well; a strengthening of my soul. As I walk among the trees and flowers I listen to a mix of worship songs and take in the beauty of God's creation around me. When I am feeling frustrated, sad, or overwhelmed and don't know what to say to God, a song will come on through my mix of music that will directly express what I am trying to say.

A bench along the creek; a place to sit and relax in God's glory

Recently I have been feeling restless and impatient; tired of waiting for God to fulfill the desires of my heart. As I was walking among the gorgeous trees and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face the song "You'll Come" by Hillsong United came on that completely nailed what I was feeling and gave me the re-assurance that God will come and meet my needs and desires. The chorus goes.

 You'll come let you glory fall

As you respond to us

Spirit Rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again

You'll come

I need to be patient and try not to look at the big things I don't have yet or I will miss out on all the wonderful small things around me right now. If I try to rush and just get to the end of the trail then I'll miss the wildflowers growing along the path, and try as I might I can't help but smile at the sight of wildflowers.

So as I go about my week I need to remember that while I am waiting for God to answer some big questions, and He will come and  answer them, I need to praise and rejoice in the small blessings that He gives me everyday, even something as small as a yellow flower I see along the side of a path.

Flowers Along The Trail

Wild daisies

It has been unbearably hot in Pittsburgh this summer with average temperatures in the 90's. Last Saturday there was a nice little reprieve from the heat which I took advantage of by going on a nice long walk along the trails in Frick Park.

View along the trail.

 During my walk I took notice of all the wild flowers growing along the paths. In any garden these flowers would be looked upon as weeds; unwanted disruptions to a carefully laid out design. But out in the middle of the woods they fit perfectly; little pops of color that bring a smile to my face as I walk by. God continues to surprise me with these small creations of his that can bring unexpected joy. This is probably why no matter how I feel when I start a walk through the woods I always leave feel refreshed and at peace.

Black Eyed Susans

Small yellow bell shaped flower. 

 I looked all over the internet to find out what type of flower this is but I couldn't find any matches. If anyone knows what it is please post below.

Tiger Lily. 

Tiger lillies are one of my favorite flowers and I was very tempted to pick one of the many blooms growing along the path. I decided to leave them be so that everyone would be able to enjoy as they went along.

Purple Wildflowers

Hopefully you can outside and notice some of small wonders hidden among your usual path.  Continue to discover what God has placed you around you and take some pictures and post them for others to enjoy.

Snow Covered Trails

So winter has finally settled in Pittsburgh the last few days with snow coming down every few hours. I decided to go walk the trails in Frick Park in order to document the beautiful change in season. Although there wasn't any green at all, the park still looked beautiful with snow covered branches and iced over streams. This was my first time walking these trails in the winter and it is amazing to see how things change but are oddly the same when all you see are the exposed bones of the park. I encourage everyone to bundle up and head outside to take part in seeing the wonderful beauty in a winter park.

Bridge over a small stream

Trees arching over the trail

The water froze coming over the rocks

I love how this tree is just hanging out in the middle of space

Exposed roots

Frozen tree branch in the pond

Some plant life was still flourishing

Right after I took this picture a deer jumped across the trial 10 feet in front of me.

Twisted steps leading the way out of the park

The Last of Fall

So today is only the 29th of October and it has already begun to snow. We only got a little bit of snow here in Pittsburgh and it quickly melted right away with some rain, but I thought I should document the beautiful leaves before they all fall off the trees. I was on my way home from the Waterfront where I did some shopping and decided to stop in Schenley park and take some pictures. I only stopped at a small section; the beginning of the Bridle Trail and the top of the Schenley Oval but I was able to get some good shots of trees and the city. Enjoy these pictures and try to get outside and enjoy the leaves before they are replaced with snow!!

P.S. if you click on a photo you can see them all as a slide show!

It was these yellow trees that made me pull over and take some pictures.

I like the contrast of the circle of leaves around the trunk to green lawn.

Bridle Trail

Road going up to the Oval

Pitt's Cathedral of Learning

Downtown

When I got home I took some pics in my backyard