Holding Still for God

It was a God-given moment. Several years ago on a winter morning, I decided to brave the cold and take care of an outdoor chore so Don wouldn’t have to do it at the end of a long workday. As I stepped out on our back porch, a surprise awaited me.

A beautiful mockingbird perched on our nearby evergreen. I expected him to whoosh away as soon as he caught sight of me or heard the cat-like squall of the screen door. But he stayed, holding still, allowing me to marvel in his beauty from just a few feet away.

As he continued to linger, I thought wow, I wish I had my camera. Would he stay long enough for me to dash back in the house and get it? Would he be there when I returned? Would he hold still just awhile longer?

I took a chance and slid back inside, as carefully as my noisy door would allow. After grabbing my camera, I turned it on while still inside so there would be one less noise to startle my little outdoor visitor away.

In spite of another screech from the door, the bird remained perched in the same spot. I raised my camera, zoomed in, and took several shots while he continued to hold still. He looked this way and that, almost as if allowing me to work a little more magic with my camera. He eventually flitted away but not before I was thoroughly blessed by this unexpected God-given treat for the soul.

For a few brief moments, I was an artist capturing a subject—a subject who was willing to hold still and let me do my work. I can’t help but wonder if I do the same for God.

When God wants to work on me or just spend time with me and rejoice over his creation (yes, he wants to rejoice over me!), am I a willing subject? Do I hold still for him and cooperate with his plans? Do I allow him to work his magic?

May the Lover of our souls always find us willing to hold still for him!

“The Lord your God is with you . . . He will take great delight in you; in his love he . . . will rejoice over you with singing.“ Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

*When did you last notice God working on you or rejoicing over you with singing?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.) *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

An Artist without Limits

IMG_3582As you feast your eyes on the varied canvases God paints for us day in and day out, are you ever inspired in your own creative tendencies? I am. Words, phrases, or sentences sometimes come to mind as I stop to notice a gorgeous sky or the beauty of a perfect flower.

Below you’ll find my latest poem—one example of just such inspiration. Hope it blesses you. And remember, even though you may not be a writer or an artist, each of us is creative in one way or another. Let God’s beauty spark your own creative juices!

The Endless Artistry of God

Your artistry, O Lord, is endless,
your creativity without limit,
no two skies are ever the same
no two clouds identical.
Even on winter days
when the green of leafy trees
no longer dances with the sky,
you grant us a new view of beauty,
a gorgeous glimpse
of blues and puffs of white
through the dark lace of naked branches.

Never do we need to fear
continual sameness in our lives,
we can simply step outside
and discover the special treats
you craft for us each day.
Varied sights, sounds, smells
all await us as gracious gifts,
gifts of your artistry,
gifts of your unlimited creativity,
gifts of your love and power.
Oh Lord, my Lord, your artistry is endless.

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalm 9:1

*What artistry of God has inspired you recently?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*My photo