Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. Yesterday was a day that left me in a funk and so I knew that I needed some lessons from nature. I needed to get out of the house, out of my stamp room and into the quiet to spend some time with God and his creation. It was time to gain some focus, to remember what I am thankful for and what is truly important. I thought I would share my lessons from nature and some pictures that I took with my phone so that you can share my journey.
God brings beauty out of everything
As I was walking through the woods along the edge of the city I was calmed by the still beauty around me. Gazing at all the beautiful leaves on the ground I was struck that the beauty that I was looking at was all dead! God uses dead leaves to give us a gorgeous fall world. Those dead leaves also turn into compost and better soil. How much more can he not use me to better the world one small way at a time?
These leaves are not particularly gorgeous but when you stop and take a look at all the different colours and shapes and textures it is truly beautiful. On the fallen, rotting tree trunk is some astounding yellow mold or fungus. Again, beauty from death.
Different is beautiful
What struck me about this leaf is the odd colouring. It remained mostly green with just a touch of vivid colour. It is uniquely beautiful. Why is it that we strive so hard to fit in? Why can we not accept our own uniqueness? I need to learn to own my imperfections too.
Do you see anything different about this leaf? I sure did! It is a very odd shape for a maple leaf. It is much longer than usual and also skinnier in the middle and yet….it is beautiful! Another lesson from nature to accept each other just the way we are, all different shapes and sizes, all beautifully unique.
He leads me beside quiet waters
We live in a hurried world and often forget to take time away from the busyness of life. That is what happened to me yesterday. I felt the need to just stop what I was doing (all of it important of course) and just get out into the stillness of nature. I slowed down and just absorbed the beauty around me. When something struck me, I took a picture so I could reflect on it later and share with you. Water and trees are calming. They restore your soul. So does time with God.
Darkness
Sometime we can get overwhelmed and things can look dark. That is when we need to remember to look up, to see the big picture and to remember that we are loved with an everlasting love. God has promised to never leave or forsake us. In the woods the light can be blocked as well. When I looked up I saw this one tall tree beginning to change colours ahead of the other ones. It really stood out. Remember to look up and see the light!
Perspective
The following pictures show the perspective when you look down, when you look back and when you look away. I purposely included my boot in this picture to give you some perspective as to how huge this leaf was. I am pretty sure it was as big as my head!
When life gets tough, find joy in the little things. The colour and texture of the leaves as they contrast with the dark earth and even the reflection of the water on one of the leaves. Again you will notice that none of these leaves are particularly beautiful but together it is simply breathtaking.
This picture isn’t a great one, it is a little blurry but I wanted to include it anyways because of the feeling it evokes. The wide open space, the fresh green trees, the crunchy leaves on the ground, all of it just makes you want to breathe deeply.
A little further on my walk I could peek through the trees and see a farm in the distance. The colours were a little brighter and it was just neat the way the trees framed this little vista.
A Quiet Gift
Nearing the end of my walk my eye was drawn up the trunk of this tall tree and I had a surprise! There was this beautiful carving of a heron or some other bird. Obviously someone had taken a lot of time to make this and then to share it with everyone in this public park. There is no plaque announcing this gift but it there to surprise and delight people. Sometimes we can find extraordinary things in the ordinary if only we take the time to look.
Seemingly Insignificant
On the edge of this park is a small isolated field. It is difficult to get to with farm equipment and it seems that the harvest will not be impressive. The weeds had a good year! Yet there is beauty here and value. It will be amazing how much squash will be harvested from this small field. Sometimes in our lives we may feel small and insignificant, but you never know how much you impact others. Small deeds can have huge consequences. Be open to the possibilities that cross your path. Plant the seeds of kindness and don’t worry about the harvest.
Thank you
I hope that you enjoyed this little diversion from the regular card making. Maybe if I needed a break you did too. Take some time to just enjoy the little things in life, to regain your perspective and to just breathe. Thanks so much to each one of you who takes the time to leave a comment, who pins my cards to Pinterest and who follows me on YouTube and Instagram.
Don’t forget about the 24 hour sale today. I made a little video walking you through the catalog and showing which sets are on sale and what the reduced price is. You can see it here. If you order online using the host code then I will send you a free pack of holiday rhinestones.
What a beautifully written reflection on Nature, Faith and Hope! I find such peace by the seaside, walking in the woods, or late at night when all is calm;and then I reflect on t
he Work of the Master, and know all will be well. Everything I see reminds me of his promise, and how very lucky I have been to live the life I have lived and travel the places I have seen.
I think it’s good to take some time out of our busy lives and reflect on what really matters and give thanks for all we have. I love this post, Jackie. And anytime you feel like walking in the woods, let me know. It’s my favourite place to walk Belle!
Thanks Debbie! I will do that. Sometimes I am too much of a solitary person which may strike people as odd. I love your writing too.
I am always happy to read your reflections such as this, and your Sunday posts, too. You are wise to know when to step away and breathe.
Thanks so much Margaret, makes me happy to read this.
Very well written, it makes me look at everything a little different now. It lifted my spirits.
That makes me so happy April! That is what it did for me yesterday and I’m glad that my pictures and my words did the same thing for you.
Thank you for such a positive message!
You’re welcome Susan, thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
Beautifully said
Thanks Maureen. Just wrote what came to mind, no editing, no draft. Raw and real.
Thanks Jackie. I like when we walk in the early hours on a clear dark morning to see the moon and the stars as well. Very calming. I couldn’t see your video on the catty but I ordered a bunch of stamp sets anyway on my demo order.
I have done that in the winter but maybe if I’m up early enough now I will give it a try. Thanks for commenting.
Nature at its best So beautiful I even find the leaves beautiful Your words were so inspiring Jackie Keep up your walks and words of wisdom Write a book (I will certainly buy one) Thank you so much for making my day It is 7.40 am here in Australia Thursday I know that your words will help me in my day today xxx
Oh Marie, your words make me happy. I am glad that I brought some joy to you today. Have a wonderful day.
Jackie ,thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and your inspiring thoughts. I enjoyed reading and seeing the pictures. Have a blessed day!
Thanks so much for commenting Holly, that makes me happy. It is so nice to have interaction here and to know that my writing touched you.
Again, thanks for such a lovely, calming message. I love walks especially in Fall where each and every color makes a beautiful array together.
You are so welcome Linda, I just felt the need to share what I learned.
It is good to slow down and see the beauty of nature. Thank you for your words it inspired
Thanks for commenting Annette! It was so lovely to meet you in Holland, you inspired me and I hope we can spend more time together.
Thank you so much for sharing your walk with us today. God’s beauty is all around us. We just need to slow down from our busy lives, be still and know. It amazes me how very much He loves us and shows us this every day in the simplest, most beautiful ways.
Thanks so much Debra! You are so right. I was reminded to take more time for Him. Sometimes we lose our way and our focus a bit or a lot but He is always there.
Your post is so refreshing. I have become overwhelmed with trying to get my blog posts done while I’m on vacation in the mountains. God’s beauty is everywhere with the leaves changing, visits to waterfalls and living on the river for two weeks. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with us.
Oh Karen, I hear you. Sometimes we become slaves to our work and that is so NOT what God wants from us. I was reminded to just trust him and he will bless me in the way that He sees fit. I’m glad this helped you too. Big hugs my friend, enjoy the mountains.
Thank you for writing this beautiful post. I really needed it this morning.
You are so welcome! I just listened to that quiet voice and God was telling me to share. Seeing all the amazing comments I can tell that He was once again totally right. Thank you.
So very well put! Thank you Jackie – for giving us a much greater lesson than a card lesson, although they are ALWAYS amazing. Reminds me of Isaiah 55:12 NASB – “For you will go out with joy and be lead forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Take time to breathe in the beauty that is around us, even if you are among thousands of people in a big old city, there is always something to look at and enjoy that God has created. Take time daily to be in His Word, that still small voice you will hear. Love your cards, love your faith – thank you for sharing both. <3
Oh Terry, thank you for taking the time to share this beautiful Scripture. I appreciate your reminder of what is truly important.
My mother died one month ago. I have been taking care of the details of her estate and haven’t taken a moment to grief. Your post encourages me. My mother and I are believers in Christ. She loved the beauty of nature and God’s glorious creation and so do I. Reading your post had reminded me to stop what I am doing, and take time to breathe. I need to look up, down and all around. God is everywhere!
Oh Donna, I am so very sorry for your loss. Big hugs to you. Do take some time to grieve and also to celebrate the joys that you shared with your mother. Dig out some photo albums, drink your favourite tea, coffee or wine, bake her favourite treats and put on some of your shared favourite music and just bask in all the goodness that you shared. Picture her chatting with Jesus in heaven getting all her questions answered and just having such joy. That will help a bit I hope.