Hey y’all and happy Monday! This summer is absolutely flying by, and I don’t know how to feel about it. One of the ways I unwind after my days of traveling and story gathering is by reading. It was when I was finishing up a book last week that I decided upon this blog’s topic.
One of the main characters in the book was going through a tough time in her life. One of the other characters was providing her with love, support, and encouragement, hoping to help her in the midst of her struggles. The point in the scene that stuck out to me was him urging her to find her “sunbeams.” Sunbeams are the pieces of light in people’s lives that fill them with joy, love, positivity, and happiness.
For me personally, my sunbeams are all of the things that I can do or think of to immediately bring a smile to my face. These include Bible journaling, watching sunsets, and reading. I also love driving my Jeep with the top and doors off, and blasting my favorite songs. Another special sunbeam is my dog, Kash, who I saw this weekend as my mom brought him to visit me in Johnson City, Tennessee. It’s been over a month since I saw him last, so it was so special to spend some quality time with him.
I have so many more sunbeams, some of which are specific to ASP and this experience. One of my ASP sunbeams is getting to visit all the summer staffers, whom I haven’t seen since the porch. This past week Taylor and I got to visit some of our favorites, and that was such a high point of my week. Another sunbeam of mine is getting to see the sweet homeowners’ pets we love on and play with as we are visiting worksites. I honestly have way too many photos of animals from our adventures this summer. One of my favorite ASP sunbeams is trying local coffee shops in the counties we visit, and it’s even better when there’s a loaded tea shop nearby! Taylor and I have actually been on the hunt for the best loaded teas in Appalachia, which is still yet to be determined. Loaded teas, specifically, are yet another sunbeam of mine, as they make me feel close to home—given that I am a long way from Mississippi.
There are so many amazing aspects about this life that we are all blessed to live, and I think sometimes we can all use a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us, no matter what we might be dealing with on the inside. Psalm 103:5 says, “He fills my life with good things.” Though life can be unpredictable, it is filled with so many good things that God has blessed us with. Sunbeams are all around us; we just have to take the time to stop and look.
While we can enjoy the beauty of the world around us, it’s also important to find sunbeams within ourselves. Psalm 16:11 states, “In Your presence, there is fullness of joy.” I have found this to be true in all seasons of my life. There are so many ways we can spend time in the presence of God and the joy he provides. I personally enjoy Bible journaling, reading, and reflecting. These may not appeal to you as ways you personally can feed your soul, but I encourage you to find what does.
Whether it be quiet time after a long day, soaking in the bath, volunteering on an ASP worksite, or getting a sweet treat, I encourage you to find what replenishes you. Find what brings you joy. Find your sunbeams: the activities—reading, hiking, singing —, the people—family, friends, coworkers, classmates —, the places—a lake, a coffeeshop, a park. Find what fills you up with joy and surround yourself with more of it. Life is filled with beautiful moments, people, and memories. I aspire to be aware of the beauty around me, the blessings in my life, and the joy of the Lord within me. I want to have eyes that look for the sunbeams in life, even on the cloudiest of days.
Talk soon!
Sarah Brassfield
Story Gathering Intern
