Whisper

Have you ever noticed a shout may draw your attention but a whisper invites you to stop and lean in.

It means something is being said to you and you alone.  My beloved often will whisper in my ear "I love you."  Those words are for my hearing only and that makes them very special.

Sometimes though in the bustle of life we often miss the whispers.  We fly through our days rushing and only listen to the shouts.  

Distractions are everywhere taking away the peace we were made to receive.

One can get so caught up in the noise and clamor of  living that we fail to hear the fluttering wings of a butterfly, a soft song of a bird or the buzz of a bumble bee.

 

Every day holds whispers of some sort or another.  Perhaps it means we have to get quiet and take time to lean in.

Hope you hear a whisper or two today.

God Bless

Debbie

"He stilled the storm to a whisper, the waves of the sea were hushed."  Psalm 107:29 (NIV)

Abundance

 The word "abundance" brings to mind this season of the year.  It evokes the feeling of more than enough.

The meaning according to the dictionary, states that it is a large quantity of something.

The Topical Bible addresses it to mean, "to be heavy", "to overflow", or "to plait together", to "augment" and to "multiply".  Clearly within each of these descriptions we find a surplus that can be shared. 

So with this in mind I will share a few of the lilies that are in bloom...

apples ripening - soon ready to pick...

another baby bird getting ready to leave the nest.

Last, but not least this cheerful zinnia patch.

As this month of July comes to a close - hoping that all of you are finding abundance in your days.  Would love if you would share them when you stop to visit.

Hugs

Debbie

"Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance."  Jude 2 (NIV) 

Enjoying

 We are enjoying some of the early gifts of August.  This Hollyhock chose to wait until now to bloom.  Her friends made their show much earlier and are setting seed.

 Mrs. Butterfly has been visiting the zinnias

and lilies.  She appears to be enjoying herself.

Those apples I shared last post, made it into sauce...

the blackberries into jelly.

Well these are just a few of August's gifts we are enjoying.

Hope you will tell me some of yours when you stop by.

Hugs

Debbie

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."  Psalm 37:3

We Never Know

In this life we never know when we will lose someone close and dear to us.

This past Friday a wonderful friend was called "Home".  He was doing what he always did driving his tractor and working in the yard.  I am sure that his day most likely started with morning devotions and working on a Sudoko puzzle...then time to go outdoors and work.  After 87 years he had a routine.

His grandson of 20 something had stopped to visit while his beloved wife of 67 years fixed them lunch.

How could anyone know that a tragic accident was about to happen... the tractor would overturn and crush him underneath. 

This gentleman was my Dad's best friend.  In losing him it once again reminded me how truly fragile life can be.  

Like many of you I have had to say goodbye far too often in this past year to loved ones, neighbors and friends...one being my dear mom.  

Death is a real part of living and we never know when it will be our time or of someone we love.

How important to walk and live each day as if it is your last for someday it will be.

So I will leave you with this thought...hug someone you love...tell them what they mean to you...forgive anyone who has hurt you and ask forgiveness for hurting another and above all seek "His" peace.  We really only are here for a brief time.

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."  James 4:14 

God Bless

Debbie

Be Kind

Prayer Journal For September

  The title of my prayer journal this month is "Be  Kind".

   I have even spotted certain signs along the road  that remind one to practice this virtue.

    What an appropriate message for the present time we are living.

 Like tiny seeds that started these morning glories traveling through out the garden; so it is with a small seed of kindness sown into someone's life.

It can grow and encompass others.  

Possibly even reaching farther afield than where one lives.

 Just maybe one kind act could make a difference in our community, our nation, and our world.

My prayer is that each of you will encounter a bit of kindness this week and  pass it on.

Hugs

Debbie

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."  Titus 3:4 & 5a (NIV)

Patterns and designs

I find myself drawn to patterns and designs...

they are easy to spot in an acorn cap...

in the wings of a butterfly...

or the lace design of Queen Anne.

There is something meditative in stepping back and noting the amazing things that are normally missed.

A certain comfort is found in seeing repetition in nature.  It soothes our souls and connects us with the Great Designer of all. 

Hope you will find some lovely patterns and designs in the coming week. 

Hugs

Debbie 

"...See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin."  Matt:6:28b (NIV)

Do You ever wonder...

why the sky is blue...

certain flowers flourish in the heat...

others not so much.

Why a butterfly selects the common clover for its nectar...

or one type of tree bears apples...

and another peaches.

Finally what makes this a cat

and this a dog?

Silly questions for sure.  Yet if we had the answers to these - then perhaps we just might have wisdom to solve the bigger concerns that this life holds.

Thank you for letting me share my wondering with you.

Have a blessed week.



Hugs
Debbie

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9

Do you think...

she knows summer is over and it is time to go?

Photo was taken the second day of October when temperatures here reached 90.    Yesterday morning we had lows in the forties.   I am thinking she may know now :)!!

Everybody have a wonderful coming week.

God Bless

Debbie

"...and  the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure."  Eccl. 8:5b

Arrival of June

The arrival of June has brought a myriad of delights.

A butterfly's visit...

Sunshine and Shade...

Fragrant blooms ...

 and floral portraits that inspire

the heart of this artist.

Hoping all of you are enjoying June's arrival.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37.4 (NIV)

Have a great week. 

Hugs Debbie

Saturday

A lovely foggy morning arrived Saturday.

The distant hills were covered in mist.

As the sun rose it cast long shadows.

This big butterfly was just waking up to a new day.  Is he not beautiful?

These morning glories were getting prepared for his visit.

Shelby was more than happy to watch the sun rise. ..

And I was delighted to see this beautiful sky as
Saturday came to a glorious end.

Thank you for stopping to visit.   I hope everyone's Saturday was wonderful.

Hugs Debbie