I was so blessed to visit London this past week with my husband on his business trip. My kids were safe at home with relatives, so while my husband worked during the day, I had a lot of wonderful alone time.
One of my Bible study assignments was to take a prayer walk. I immediately knew I would be spending an afternoon in the beautiful, infamous Hyde Park.
This was not my first visit to this amazing place. Over twenty years ago, after a long day of sightseeing, I laid my exhausted pregnant body next to my first husband in the gorgeous, green grass of Hyde Park. We talked about our dreams for our precious unborn daughter and wondered what she would be like.
On my recent walk so many years later, I prayed.
Prayers of gratitude for the incredible young woman that unborn child has now grown into.
Prayers for forgiveness from the broken promise of forever with the man I laid on the grass with so long ago. Our marriage ended in a devastating divorce. A year and a half later, his death stopped him from watching the little girl we had dreamed about grow up.
Prayers for courage to live the life God has planned for me, overcoming my past and following His path.
Prayers of praise for the beauty that surrounded me on this perfect, sunny day in the park.
And many more prayers of thankfulness and joy for the unbelievable life I have today, which is truly a story of beauty from ashes…
*To see more of my vacation, check out Candace Creates in London!
Oh Candace, what a beautiful place, serene and quiet, reminds me of creation when God walked alongside mankind in the garden of Eden. Then there was sin, seperation…but there was was Christ reconcilliation and how blessed we are to walk with Him again, chatting like a friend…
Thank you for sharing a bit of your life…what a journey we go on, happiness, loss and grief but also thankfulness and new beginnings.
Stay blessed!
I’m so sorry for my delay in responding. Today is my first full day home from vacation. I love your comment, Sabrina! What a wonderful comparison of this moment and the garden of Eden. It is quite a journey we travel through. Thank God for new beginnings :)!
Candace isn’t it amazing how God placed you right smack there at this time of the study to do your prayer walk. Bless your heart sweet one and so sorry those dreams did not come true, but what a journey and beautiful new dreams He has brought you through to much happiness. Your pictures and thoughts are beautiful and I loved the quote from Joyce. Thanks for sharing. Hugs to you. Debbie W. (Proverbs 31 Ministries OBS Team)
Thank you, Debbie. I’m constantly amazed how God works these things out. He placed me in the perfect place for prayer and reflection. I’m incredibly blessed :). Hugs to you as well!
Beautiful pictures and beautiful words-it encouraging to think that you had the opportunity to go back to the place your foot treaded to praise and thank God for what He has done and the promises He’s kept-what a blessing!
Thank you, Valerie :). It was such a blessing! I had an amazing experience.
“simply talking to God” yes, why do i make it so complicated sometimes!
I don’t know why we make it so complicated, but we certainly do, Heather! It is a simple, easy, and comforting thing we can do whenever and wherever we want. I’m really trying to spend a lot more time just chatting with Him :).
Looks like you got a rare sunny day in London! My dad is from London and my sister lives there now so it is in my blood. How wonderful to go back to where you were when you were pregnant. Your post reminded me of one of my favorite quotes: “My life didn’t turn out the way I planned…and that’s OK.” Praise God for redeeming your past and giving you a glorious future.
The weather was awesome the entire 10 days, Laura! I couldn’t believe it. I’m so jealous your sister lives there :). I absolutely fell in love with that place. I got home Saturday and then spent the last 2 days picking up my son at his grandmother’s house. I’m missing London already! That is a great quote. My life took turns I never would have imagined, but I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Awesome, as always, Candace! I tend to make it more difficult than it is! Beautiful pictures & sharing your heart. Life is hard but with God all things are possible. Love you!
Thank you, Mary! We all make it more difficult than it should be. I can completely relate. Love you too, my friend!
Beautiful photos! I have never travelled to London. Thank you for sharing your photos and thoughts. Prayer is the most amazing way of sharing time with God and listening and hearing His will for us.
London is a wonderful place, Melissa! I hope you have an opportunity to visit some day. My husband was working there so we got lucky with a free hotel room :). Prayer is such an incredible gift we can do anytime. I’m working on listening more and asking less.
Candace I love those peaceful walks myself nice share:)
Peaceful walks alone are so inspiring and relaxing at the same time. I definitely need to take them more often, Mari :).
I. Love, This.
xo
Thank you, Shelly! It was a very touching and memorable day.
I love this story of God’s beautiful timing and your open heart. Your beautiful and brave and God is honored that you took time with Him. So glad this popped up right in my Twitter feed today! Blessings!
His timing is perfect, Mary! Thank you for your sweet comment :). Blessings to you as well!
a prayer walk sounds so nice. i’ll have to try that… 🙂
I love prayer walks, Roaen! You must try it. I plan to take many more, although I will greatly miss Hyde Park :).
This is absolutely beautiful……and God’s timing, could it have been any more perfect? I live that quote from Joyce Meyer. I definitely want talking to God to be the easiest part of my day!
I love that quote too, Tonya! I found it on a search for something to add to this post. It is one I will definitely keep in mind. God’s timing never ceases to amaze me :)!
Thank you for sharing the gorgeous pictures!! What a beautiful place to be alone and be with God!!
Hyde Park is absolutely breathtaking, Teressa! I fell in love with that place. My husband has been working there a lot over the last few months. I’m hoping he will work there long enough for me to take my son for a visit.
Love this, Candace!! What a beautiful opportunity for you and thank you so much for sharing it with us. 🙂 You have had such an amazing journey and have such a wonderful testimony. Thanks again for sharing your heart…and the pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you, Kim! I took at least 50 pictures that day, probably more. I wish I could have posted them all :). It was a very blessed opportunity!
What a beautiful post and beautiful photos!
Thanks so much, Sybil! It was a perfect day :).
Just talking to God like a friend…I like that and really, that is what we all get the privelage to do each day. As I was reading this, I was thinking about how I could even do a pray walk around my own house as I pray for the day and for my family. Thanks for sparking that thought!!
That is a fantastic idea, Katie! I will have to try that too. What a great way to start each day :).
Beautiful Candace! Thanks for sharing from the heart. 🙂
Thank you, Kendra! It was an extremely heart-tugging day :).
Hyde Park looks like an amazing place to have a prayer walk. I hope that in the feature my husband and I can travel with our kids more. It would be great to take them the Europe when they are older.
It was incredible, Sonya! I wish I could have taken my kids with us. Airfare was outrageous though, so we decided I would go over alone. It’s nice that I had time by myself, but there were a lot of things I would love for them to see. My daughter has been twice with my husband while he has been traveling there for work, but my son has never gone. I hope your family gets an opportunity to go!
OH Candace! You truly inspire me. Love the grace of which you share your life, the ups and downs. The pics are beautiful! I feel I was there.
love you girlfriend
Thank you, Susie! I wish you were there with me :). I love you too, my friend!
I am so glad you could go back and have this prayer walk. I love reading your posts and seeing what a beautiful person God has made you. And the pictures are beautiful too.
Thank you for your sweet comment, Tammy! I took so many pictures that day it was really hard to just choose a few. It is a breathtaking place.
Thank you for sharing, for your transparency, for your encouragement.
You are so welcome. Thank you for encouraging me :)! Sharing continues to be incredibly therapeutic for me. I’m so thankful for this space and new friends like you joining me here.