Them There Words Again

 

You know me. I like words. I like phrases I've never heard before. To consider something in a different way then you've considered it before.

It happened last evening. I was reading and the words stopped me. I had to reread them several times to consider them. Don't laugh. Humor me. It's what makes me tick!

"Watch the dawn gather strength." Have you ever read words like this that describe dawn in a different way? "Gather strength." 

How delightful it is to watch the dawn cross the sky. Minute by minute you observe a different display of God's handiwork. Sometimes the colors are incredible. 

Colors gradually increase displaying beauty unseen before until the sun is up and full light is before us. The display is always different. 

In my early morning drives I have been blessed with some magnificent sunrises. I stop the car and sit on the side of the road to watch the display. My camera snaps away to try and capture what I see. But nothing compares to watching it when it develops.

I don't see as many sunsets being a morning person. When sunset comes I'm settled in the house preparing for a quiet evening. Yet, while on vacation, I have had the pleasure of seeing a few sunsets and being overwhelmed at the beauty.

"Watch the dawn gather strength."  It comes about slowly. I think we can take a lesson from that as we live our days. Going about our duties and pleasure doesn't have to be rush, rush, rush. I think our hearts would be happy doing things slower and well, causing us to experience what we do with pleasure, and not exhausting ourselves in the process. Maybe our actions will be as beautiful as a sunrise.

Them there words again. 

By His Grace . . . 

Be a Wildflower

From Country Rose Cottage Facebook page.

I recently became aware of a lovely book out this year titled: "The Way of the Wildflower." Written and illustrated by Ruth Chou Simons, it is Gospel Meditations to Unburden your Anxious Soul. 

I have always loved wildflowers. I love driving along and seeing them in the fields and along the roadway. They're just special to me. Nobody human cares for them. Our Heavenly Father provides all they need as is written in Luke 12:27: "Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (Luke 22-28)

In Simons' introduction she writes: "As I've studied the Scriptures and walked the wildflower-strewn mountains near my home, I've come to some conclusions about their ways and how they grow. Wildflowers are: dependent . . . free . . . resilient . . . unhurried and beloved. Is it any wonder, then, that Jesus tells us to consider the wildflowers that grow in fields, woods, and mountains as our example for trusting  God for everything we need?

"In every struggle, unknown, fear, and fight we face, we can know the comfort of our Faither's care, which unburdens our anxious souls. We can walk in the ways of dependency, freedom, resilience, unhurriedness, and, thankfully, belovedness."

I'm almost half way through the book and have enjoyed the meditations and descriptions of a wildflower after each meditation, like the Snowdrops: "Snowdrops--white, bell-shaped flowers-are symbols of hope and harbingers of spring as they literally pop up through the snow. How do these little flowers survive the cold, snow, and even ice? Built-in protection given to them by their Creator. Snowdrops have literal antifreeze proteins designed to protect them in extremely cold temperatures. When you feel fear creeping in, may the snowdrop remind you: Do not fear. Your Creator will provide for your strength and protection too."

Or the Honeysuckle: "Have you ever taken a walk in the country or woodlands in the spring when honeysuckle is in full bloom? Its sweet fragrance permeates the air, and you can often smell it long before you see it. When you do lay eyes on it, you'll find it climbing trees and hugging fence rails, bursting forth with its beautiful flowers. If you find yourself struggling to let go of the past, think of these persistent climbers. Take a step forward in faith and keep pressing onward."

It's a delightful book to read through, and be encouraged and inspired by, that God will care for you as He does the wildflowers. Even more, because you are His special creation and a child of His Kingdom.

Be a wildflower!

By His Grace . . .

Accepting With Joy

 

"Joy is that deep-settled confidence that God is

in control in every area of my life."

Paul Sailhamer

The other morning I read the following sentence in a devotion written by Chris Tiegreen, Hearing His Voice, about listening and accepting God's will: 

"I'll be okay with whatever You tell me. I just want to know Your will.

 I'll accept it with joy, whatever it is."

My mind paused when I read, "accept it with joy." Different scenes passed through my mind, and I thought how am I going to accept that with joy?

God asks us to do many things, but not all of them are pleasant or joyful. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart when you have been in great heartbreak. 

I can try and do most things God asks, and some things that are difficult, but with joy? Thankfully, those words are Mr. Tiegreen's. We can all do things that are unpleasant out of our devotion to God, and accept it as our duty, but does God ask us to do all things with joy?

There are far too many verses in Scripture which have the word joy in them for me to find a verse which states this. God wants us to do all things with love. We know that. God wants us to be joyful. We know that. But I can't imagine God expects us to do something with joy that has been a hard and difficult experience in our life.

This is one of those things to ponder and see how it applies to your life. God knows our heart. He knows our willingness. He knows our difficulties. He gives us strength to do all things.

Let's be joyful because we are filled with God's love and held with His Everlasting Arms. Let's always ponder words that will help us grow in grace. If He wants us to do everything with joy, He will make it possible. 

By His Grace . . .