Here it is mid-May, and as usual, I find myself needing to “be still” long enough to soak in the beauty. We often refer to it as “Stopping to smell the roses.” Although I don’t have roses, as I was filling our birdfeeder, the sweet, familiar aroma of the honeysuckle vine stopped me in my tracks. A variety of honeysuckle vines are common and grow wild in North America. As a little girl, I learned to gently pull the stamen through the bottom of the flower to access the nectar. It was a sweet delight, one drop at a time, straight from our Creator’s hands. I loved them so much, but was mindful to leave plenty for the birds and bees. 😊

It’s incredible how God uses His creation to spark a precious memory, to refresh us, and to connect with us. How sad it is that far too many times we miss out by not slowing down in this fast-paced world we live in. I have recently acknowledged that I need balance in my life. I continue to need help in that area. I believe that is why God got my attention today by sending the breeze in just the right direction for me to catch a whiff of the fragrance, causing me to pause.

After a short stroll in my yard, admiring the plants and trying to ignore the weeds, I was led to my computer to write (instead of pulling weeds). 😊

What I am writing about next transpired from “soaking” on my front porch in our previous home. It occurred about eight to ten years ago, so it is a good thing I wrote it down (the experience, not the year).  

This is from notes I took, having no idea I would ever be a writer/blogger. 😊…

I’m listening to the birds sing and noticing how the mockingbird stands out with its distinctive mocking. Gazing at the stillness and beauty of the details of my front yard. The mighty oaks and the dogwood tree that survived the storm damage incurred by another oak falling on it. It was stripped of all its limbs on one side. Ahh, another survivor! The perfectly shaped redbud I had transplanted from an inappropriate site, another survivor that had been uprooted and moved. The flowers, weeds, and even the bugs, along with the funny squirrels scurrying everywhere…so beautiful! Everything was so still as I noticed the morning sun rays increasing as it rose and cut through the dense tree population.

All of this brought my focus on God and His unfathomable creation. Then I started reading my devotional, Jesus Always by Sarah Young.  I already had it opened, lying in my lap to today’s date, June 18^th and my Bible at my side.

The devotion begins with, “Stillness is increasingly hard to come by in this restless, agitated world. You must fight to carve out time for Me”.

It continues by pointing out distractions, our need for focus, remembering God, and relaxing in His presence. It was all wonderfully appropriate, but the next part was outstanding, right where I was, “soaking” it in. Sarah continues…

“Remember that I am Immanuel-God with you”…“The longer you gaze at me, the more you can rejoice in my majestic splendors and trust in My sovereign control”.

As I read these words a strong breeze blew through only a few of the tree tops right in front of me! Most wouldn’t have believed me unless they were there to witness it. The other trees were oddly still as these few swayed in the strong breeze. It caught my breath as I recognized the Holy Spirit is in the wind and in every breath I breathe.

Oh, how I thank the Lord for sparking precious memories to refresh me and connect me to  His presence. This time, to soak in His creation, is worth fighting for because there is no better place to be than rejoicing in His majestic splendors. His Holy Spirit and praise songs, with a heart full of gratitude, brought forth the fruit of the Spirit. As my Pastor would jokingly say, “Filling my tank”. A refilling, so to speak, to pour out to others.

And for me, it motivates me to carve out time to write about this experience to communicate the love of Jesus Christ, my mission. Otherwise, I would be burned out, restless, agitated, exhausted, and empty like the world. Like I admittedly have been at times, also. Look what I would have missed if I chose to be out there pulling weeds! 😊 May we all choose to obey Psalm 46:10 NKJV “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

I will close by mentioning my poem in Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds, titled “Brevity of Time”, pgs. 19-20. A few lines from it say…

So, what about your time and how it is used?

Something freely given we so often misuse.

 Our time is precious, more valuable than gold

Time is God’s gift; it can never be sold.

Time has four letters, that is but a few

So has love; worthwhile to pursue

Through sending His Son, what love chose to do

Redeeming time for me and you!

Thank you for reading this, and I hope that you are motivated to do more “soaking” in His presence wherever that may be. Whether it is in the midst of blue skies, among the butterflies, or in the middle of the battlegrounds. We can come into His presence no matter what we see, feel, or our circumstances. Even when pulling weeds if we do it in the proper order with the right attitude. With Him all things are possible.

Until next time,

Reba

PS. On March 28^th, I wrote about “The Gift That Keeps On Giving”, namely books. Today, I mentioned my devotional, Jesus Always. It was a birthday gift from my very dear friends Karen and John. Karen is my “peanut butter friend”. No, not because we both like peanut butter! Lol! I explain this in my birthday poem to her titled PB&J. It, including the narrative, is on pages 189-191. You should read it if you need a laugh. And please keep in mind that books are gifts that keep on giving.