Marsh Marigolds

(from Fields of Grace)

 

 

 

 

 

                                  A life spent high

                                    above the forest floor

                                    offers itself

                                    to future generations,

                                    its task completed.

 

                                 Its passing marked

                                    by golden voices

                                    raised in songs

                                    of praise and

                                    thanksgiving

                                    to the Author of Life.

 

 

 



Water Lilies

 

 

 

Water Lilies



 

     This is one of my favorite photos.  While it's not uncommon to see a field of wildflowers, it's unusual to say the least, to come upon a lake that is carpeted with water lilies. 

 

     I'm fortunate to drive past this scene nearly every day, and it always makes me smile.  I like to think that God also delights in this scene - inserting a bit of whimsy in an otherwise serious world.

 

     Like so many things in nature, water lilies offer an invitation to stop for a moment and be refreshed by the Beauty that surrounds us. 

Hummingbird

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's unusual to find a hummingbird sitting quietly.  Usually they're flitting from flower to flower, drinking in mid-flight.

 

As I watched this hummingbird at the feeder I was reminded of the importance of taking time for those things in life that feed our soul and spirit.

 

 

Sometimes we too, need to stop and drink deeply.

Weeding the Garden

I finally got around to weeding my big garden yesterday. Just to give you an idea of how bad it was, I filled up the wheelbarrow five times with weeds and grasses that had taken over most of the garden.

Somehow it was always too hot or too wet, or I was too busy to get out there and weed.  It didn't seem like it was that long since I had weeded, but the size of the weeds told me otherwise.

As I was bringing order to the garden I thought about how often I can forget to take time for reflection and prayer.  Too often I convince myself I just don't have the time, or that there is something more important to do first.  And before long I can't seem to find my balance - that's when I finally realize what I've been missing.

Taking time for quiet reflection/prayer on a regular basis is essential - it's kind of like keeping up with the weeds in the garden. 

The challenge of course, is remembering how important this is, and scheduling time for it.

Yellow Rose Bush

 

 

Yellow Rose Bush

 

I have several rose bushes in my garden, and sometimes I wonder if they're worth all the effort - and then the blossoms appear.  Their delicate petals and sweet scent are more than enough payment for all the effort.

Faith in the unseen can be hard to sustain sometimes, but the rewards can be heavenly!

Sparkling Waters

There haven't been many sunny days here in Minnesota the past several weeks, so when a sunny afternoon finally arrived I went for a walk.  

It was a beautiful morning, with a slight breeze, and as I passed a pond I stopped to admire the sunlight sparkling on the surface of the water. 

I began to realize that it was the breeze, moving the water into small waves, that enabled the water to reflect the sunlight to me. Looking at the sparkling water, I began to see a life lesson emerge. 

The difficulties that arrive in our life are like the breeze that blows across the water, disturbing our equilibrium.  These same "breezes," while they may be painful, also present moments which reflect the Divine in ways we have never before experienced. 

It makes no difference whether or not we recognize these "sparkling moments" at the time or not, just as it made no difference whether or not I was there to witness the sun on the waves that morning.  Love's Presence continues to accompany us all through our life.

Deer by the Side of Road

                    Deer by the Side of Road

I took this picture one morning as I was walking down our road.  I had taken along my camera as usual, in case I came along something I wanted to photograph.  As I came over a small hill, I first noticed the way the light played on the tire tracks in the gravel road. Seeing the deer I stopped, and had just enough time to take the photo before the deer retreated into the brush.

This photo is a reminder of the importance of slowing down and noticing the world around us. It's only when we realize that life is more than a straight road to our next goal that we begin to see the gifts at the periphery. 

The question to ask ourselves each day is, "What gift is waiting to be discovered today?"