5.21.2009

Thankful Thursdays - Nature


This week, Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage is hosting Thankful Thursday again. I admit - I haven't participated the last couple of Thursdays because, to be honest, I've been so incredibly busy that by the time I realize it's Thursday and I haven't posted my Thankful Thursday post, I'm getting ready for bed and facing Friday...



When it hit me this last weekend that I have basically "checked out" on doing the things I love to do because I've been so overwhelmed with other things, I decided I needed to slow myself down, enjoy my life again - not just rush from one thing to the next.

Enjoying God's creation, being reminded of His imagination, His beauty is just the perfect way to do that. Right now my lilacs and Azaleas are blooming, my roses are budding and all sorts of bushes and plants I haven't learned the names of yet are adorning themselves with beautiful flowers so quickly I'm sure a dozen more popped open as I wrote this sentence. I look out my office window at pink... pink... white.... My pictures today are from last year because I haven't pulled out my camera yet this year but the view hasn't changed much (except the iris' aren't blooming quite yet.).











Of course, with my love of the ocean, I head there whenever life gets really overwhelming. The ocean reminds me of God in so many ways - it's vastness, it's power, it's gentleness (think of the sand dollars it washes up on the shore and doesn't smash to smithereens...). I find a spot on the beach, I cozy up on a piece of driftwood with my Bible and allow God's Word to wash over me. I can sit out there for hours sometimes just listening and letting my thoughts swirl until they settle in my mind and God can put them where He wants them.


Men were put in charge of God's creation, it is ours to take care of and use (as stewards...). We also look at nature to see God. He is glorified through the beauty and power of His creation and ultimately, that is where my thanksfulness lies. I give thanks to our Glorious Creator for His imagination, for His power, for His love in creating something so magnificient and glorious. To Him all praise and glory should be given and if you don't believe me...head to the ocean...


Before that happens, though, head over to visit with Lynn and read some of the other Thankful Thursday posts.



5 comments:

Denise said...

Such beautiful pictures, bless you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your kind and encouraging post to my TT today.
The butterfly began as a black with orange dots caterpillar. As it was on my orchid which I had thought dead, I tried to take the caterpillar off only to find that he had already begun the attachment process. I had thought he would eat the orchid up before cocooning, but he had already eaten something else and decided the orchid was his for the next 10 or so days! He went quiet from the outside. About 10 days later he emerged as this glorious flutterby! I was so thrilled that I got to see him before he flew off. That is rare when I find a cocoon. I usually find the empty shell. God really blessed me with this gift!
~ linda

Rita T. said...

Great pictures!

i said...

Hi Bonnie! Thank you for visiting me. I'm glad to be back on TT too. I've been missing from it so often for the very same reasons too LOL.

Love your post and the picture! I love the gentle sound of the waves lapping to the shore.

Have a blessed weekend ahead!

Saleslady371 said...

The pics of your flowers are lovely. The ocean is so peaceful! Bless you!