The Best View in the World

From the the top of my hotel balcony, I sat and watched, while eating my french breakfast (cheese and pastries, yum!) the beautiful view before me - the Eiffel Tower.

It was our honeymoon and my husband had surprised me by booking the "honeymoon suite" on the top floor of our hotel with our own private balcony and view of the Eiffel Tower. It was truly the best view in the world.

Saying goodbye to our Paris balcony was difficult because it was so hard to tear myself away from such a breathtaking view and knowing that I would go home to a view of a sporting field didn't make it any easier.

I guess I always wanted my life to be this exciting. Climb the Eiffel Tower, spend a day in Paris Disneyland and then shop at the most famous and exclusive shopping mall in the world - the Champs Eylsees.

There are times in life when you have the most amazing experience in the world and you don't won't to go home because you are leaving that view behind - nothing else seems as exciting anymore.

When I came home from my honeymoon, I expected to feel this way for quite a while. I did for a little bit but one day I woke up to a new view - God's view for my life. Suddenly the time I spent climbing the Eiffel Tower didn't seem as important as the view God was showing me for my life.

While the road may be tough along the way, I can't ever imagine wanting to take myself away from the view because I know there will be so much joy that comes with it.

Have you seen your view yet?

Capture the Moment

By Jo - our lovely wedding photographer

This is a photo that was "captured in the moment". Our wedding day had been perfect so far until we got to Dawes Point Park in the Rocks, Sydney - it was windy. Really, really windy.

Now, if you've ever tried to wear a tulle, princess dress, you would know, every step is a challenge! Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the challenge because it was my dream dress and I was determined to wear it on my dream wedding day.

So there we were, blowing in the wind and I was at breaking point as I tried to climb the hill underneath the Harbour Bridge in my impossible walking dress in high-speed winds.

Yes, it wasn't my favourite moment of the day, but it was my favourite "captured moment" of the day.

When I first saw that picture, I was speechless and everyone who has seen my wedding album always stops and pauses for a while when they look at this image.

When was the last time you paused, just for moment? When was the last time you let life just walk right past you because you were too busy to stop, pause and reflect in the moment?

One of my favourite Scripture passages is this: "Be still and know that I am God", Psalm 46:10.

My desire is too not let my life pass by without pausing to find it. It's in these moments that we discover who we are called to be.

Esther xoxo

embrace - what it's all about

I am determined to live my life to the full – to be who I am called to be and to live for Jesus. I believe I have been called to share my heart, thoughts and passion for life with young women. This blog is space to be inspired by God’s thoughts and to explore who you are. It’s a place for you to figure out who you want to be. And of course, there will lots of fun, cute, pretty and quirky things along the way to inspire you to find your identity in Christ.

Welcome to embrace!

Love Esther