But not too many minutes later, I heard myself bemoaning the fact that I could not rake and trim and spend the entire day working like I used to do. Where only moments before I saw the beauty, now I could only see the tasks still left undone.
Please don't tell me I'm alone in this? Am I the only one who can so easily fall off of the Thankfulness Wagon?
So, when my head hit the pillow, several hours later, I was reminded once again, where my heart condition had become derailed. I heard the voice of my Lord stirring in my heart:
Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don’t worry about theirs.
Matthew 6:27-28 TLB
There is so much beauty all around--free for the taking! We wait all winter for spring, but then rush past its beauty on our way to the next task, the next season.
There is so much beauty all around--free for the taking! We wait all winter for spring, but then rush past its beauty on our way to the next task, the next season.
Beautiful Moments
Worry is a curse
Blinders causing me to miss
Beauty in my day
--BG
I have so much to see in this small garden that I've been given. And while I cannot do all of the things I wish I could, I can pause, remove the blinders, and peer into this life of mine.
The garden that is my heart,
would sing with a beauty all it's own,
a tune of springtime and life renewed,
if I could hear the music
being sung to my soul.
A song of daffodils and pansies
of robins and finches,
A song of Love sent
from a God who cares
And dreamed all of this
for hearts to receive.
This #Haiku #Poetry was offered for the challenge put out by Ronovan over at his site: Ronovan Writes
where the prompts this week are "Beautiful&Curse."
Join me there to see a great list of other Haiku.
I am linking today with:
Meg Weyerbacher, #TeaAndWordTuesday
Jennifer Dukes Lee, #TellHisStory
--BG
I have so much to see in this small garden that I've been given. And while I cannot do all of the things I wish I could, I can pause, remove the blinders, and peer into this life of mine.
The garden that is my heart,
would sing with a beauty all it's own,
a tune of springtime and life renewed,
if I could hear the music
being sung to my soul.
A song of daffodils and pansies
of robins and finches,
A song of Love sent
from a God who cares
And dreamed all of this
for hearts to receive.
This #Haiku #Poetry was offered for the challenge put out by Ronovan over at his site: Ronovan Writes
where the prompts this week are "Beautiful&Curse."
Join me there to see a great list of other Haiku.
I am linking today with:
Meg Weyerbacher, #TeaAndWordTuesday
Jennifer Dukes Lee, #TellHisStory
Oh, how beautiful and encouraging are your words, sweet friend! I love the poem...yes, dear Lord, help me to be more grateful. It seems He is talking to you and I about the same subject lately. He has been bringing that Scripture to my mind, "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness". Jesus came to give us that! What an exchange! Too often, my spirit is heavy, and He is teaching me that, in those moments, He wants to swap that for the garment of praise. Sometimes, we do not feel like praising, but it is then that I suppose we need to do it most. You are such a dear blessing to me. May the Lord bless you abundantly today, in return!
ReplyDeleteDear Cheryl,
DeleteThank you so much for your sweet words! I love that verse, "put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." He did that very thing for me this morning, also, as I was listening to Worship music. Isn't it beautiful the way He confirms His word to us through the joining of our hearts with His people? You are such a blessing to me also, Dear Sister! Blessings and Love and Hugs to you! xoxo
You are definitely not alone in falling off the "Thankfulness Wagon." It happens to me too many times. Your words are so encouraging and your poetry is beautiful. I was wondering how I could use those two seemingly opposite words in a haiku, but you have used them brilliantly! I love what you have done! And your ending poem is so refreshingly beautiful and inspiring. It's a rainy day here today and you have brightened it up for me. :)
ReplyDeleteMany blessings to you with love and hugs! xoxo
Dear Gayl,
DeleteI am grateful that you understand this journey of learning to praise Him more! It certainly helps to know that we are not alone in this pathway. And what a blessing to know that we encouraged each other today--I just was over at your place, and found such a lift in your butterfly poem today! I am in awe at the way that God connects us as we listen to His promptings. Many blessings, love and hugs to you too, my dear poet/sister/friend! xoxo
"I am in awe at the way that God connects us as we listen to His promptings." Oh, Bettie, me too! Oh, Bettie, me too! It's really cool to see how He does that! It's definitely not just coincidence, but a working of His Spirit!
DeleteLove you! xo
Just realized I wrote a sentence twice. LOL Can you tell I'm tired tonight? Guess that means it's bedtime. :) Blessings!
DeleteOh, yes, I agree that He is surely working by His Spirit in the way that He connects us! And, I am tired tonight too, Dear Friend! Comes with being a Grandma, right? :-) xoxo
DeleteSo true, we miss God's abundant beauty when we worry. Glad to link up with you today in both places!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
DeleteI'm glad to meet another gardener at heart! Aren't the lessons we learn there so beautiful? Blessed to be your link-up neighbor!
You definitely are not alone in falling off the "Thankfulness Wagon," Bettie. I fall out of it so often. I'm so glad God is so patient with me. I need to concentrate on "the garden that is my heart." God so faithfully sends His love, doesn't He? Thank you for all the encouragement here. Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteDear Trudy,
DeleteI'm thankful to know that I'm not alone in this on again/off again journey of thankfulness! Oh, yes, we are so blessed that He does send us His faithful love even in the midst of our failings! He meets us there in the garden of our heart, and then He finds such beautiful ways to encourage us! Thank you for being one of those encouragers for me! Love and Hugs! xoxo
Hi Bettie,
ReplyDeleteYes I'm with you in falling off the gratefulness wagon! :) It seems as if I can be filled with thankful thoughts one minute and the next all sorts of less than thoughts crowd them right out - it's so frustrating! :) But maybe what takes extra intentional effort just lets me appreciate it more when I turn my heart toward God instead of staying stuck in the rut! :) xo
Dear Valerie,
DeleteOh, yes, I think you are right--whenever we turn our hearts back to thankfulness to God, He's right there bringing a fresh appreciation to us! I thought of you as I posted these pictures of the daffodils. They were from the New "Remnants Garden" that my husband helped install last year. You hoped then that there would be some new blooms in this garden that we rescued, and there are! Some new tulips and different kinds of daffodils are just beginning to show their buds! Your hopeful heart has been such an encouragement to me, Dear Friend! Love and Hugs to you! xo
This really hits me where I am right now! It's almost comical how quickly I can go from thankful to discontent. I've been dealing with some chronic back issues lately and its way too easy to complain.
ReplyDeleteDear Melissa,
DeleteI'm so sorry that you have been dealing with chronic back issues! I understand all too well how quickly those complaints keep filling up our minds! But I am so glad that our Lord understands too, and He comes alongside to help us. You will be in my prayers tonight, dear sister!
I'm a doer, Bettie, so I understand this well. I often bemoan what I can't do and forget all that I can. It has taken practice and intention to switch my perspective and look at that glass half full - but there is certainly freedom and grace in doing so. Enjoy your beautiful garden!
ReplyDeleteDear Tiffany,
DeleteOh yes, what a freedom and grace to be found when we intentionally shift our perspective as you say! HE does give us so much beauty to enjoy doesn't He? Thank you for stopping by here! Blessings to you!
Dear Bettie, sadly we all slide toward ingratitude at times, and frustration sits hovering at the door of our heart, seeking admittance if we let it. I can so relate to this: "And while I cannot do all of the things I wish I could, I can pause, remove the blinders, and peer into this life of mine." and also to the beautiful poetic lines you have penned.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we can be so hard on ourselves when we think we've fallen from grace. Yet our tender Lord is always there to raise our spirits and lift our weary, drooping heads. May the Head Gardener of your soul keep watering you with refreshing dew from heaven and help you to see just how lovely you are as you glow gloriously for Him. Blessings, love and hugs to you, sweet friend! xoxo
Dear Joy,
DeleteI am so thankful that our Lord is so tender with us as He raises our weary, drooping heads as you so beautifully said. How I long to keep my gaze fixed on His refreshing dew from Heaven! Thank you for sharing in this journey of learning to find His beauty in these days that our not of our choosing, but yet planned by our Lord to find more of His Beautiful Grace! Blessings, Love, and Hugs to you also, Dear Friend! xoxo
Oh friend, thank you for sharing your struggles. You could get some one to help you sometimes 😀😊
ReplyDeleteOne step at a time. Everyday with gratitude makes life easier!
With much love and prayers from Nigeria.
Dear Ifeoma,
DeleteThank you for your sweet encouragement! Yes, isn't He so gracious to help us take those small steps toward Him? He helps us even to be grateful! Blessings to you across the ocean my friend! Love and Hugs!
Hello Bettie! Lovely poems and motivating post.
ReplyDeleteDear Vashti,
DeleteThank you so much for your sweet words! Happy Springtime to you!