Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “I have seen God face to face and yet my life is preserved” (Genesis 32.30)
Jacob said (to Esau), “Accept my present from my hand; for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God” (Genesis 33.10b)
+
The things I take…bring back to show, to prove (truly, to no one, really, but me) that I was there. Yes, photographic images, yet other things more material than digital…
A tiny pebble from the volcanic rubble of Haleakalā; now, sitting desk-side, an aide-mémoire that I, once, at the pinnacle of the world, in the chilled dimness of dawn, dared stare east into the face of the waking sun.
A blade of bristlegrass pressed under glass, vividly bringing to my mind’s eye the valley Shayamoya where exquisitely verdant tors surround and shelter the excruciatingly poor.
These, yes, tokens of past adventures, yet are more. For they betoken my present daily remembrance to seek God’s illumined face, enlightening my sight that I may see and, with my abundance, serve my sisters and brothers in need.
© 2021 PRA
#seeingGodsface #dailyreminderstoactforotherssake #remembranceofplacesspast
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 
Soooooo Paul, this REALLY spoke to me!! I have so many photos to remind me of places I’ve been and things I’ve done that I’d long forgotten about. The Facebook memories that pop up are amazing reminders of the things I’ve seen that remind me of all God created for us, including the place you mentioned at sunrise. Tonight I watched the sunset at National Harbor from a bench…. It was extraordinary, Nothing but God…I hate to admit that there are more than 30,000 digital tokens on my phone, and each of them in some way, shape or form remind me of God.
Much Love
LikeLike
Ah, my beloved sister, please, I beg you, never “hate to admit that there are more than 30,000 digital tokens on (your) phone,” especially, in my mind and heart, for they “remind (you) of God”! So blessedly grand a reminder, again, in my mind and heart, is each one of those 30,000 reminders! Love you
LikeLike