Gift Yourself with Silence This Christmas

December 3, 2024 by 2 Comments

Do you have your own name written down on your Christmas list? If not, put it at the top right now. I’ll even make it simple for you and tell you what to give yourself.

 Gift yourself with silence. That’s right—the glorious life-giving gift of soothing silence.

You see, the gift of silence took me by surprise one November morning years ago. Not long after the hubbub of school-and-work traffic had ceased, I went out to fill the birdbath with fresh water. As the sun proclaimed its brilliance, the night’s heavy frost still glittered on the ground.

Happy to be out enjoying a few minutes in the beauty of God’s world, I sang as I worked. But soon I realized my voice was the only sound I heard. I stopped and listened to the quiet.

Pure silence met my listening ear. No wind, no birdsong, no car humming down the street. Not even the rustle of leaves. It was as if the earth was holding its breath.

With fresh eyes I looked around our yard, delighting in the frosty beauty of the cold fall morning. First one leaf and then another drifted to the ground without a sound, as if following the cues of a conductor. But this was a silent symphony in a soundless sanctuary. Oh what peace. Oh what comfort.

The comfort and peace we find in silence can heal, can’t it? Silence refreshes and restores. This is never more true than when we use such moments to take a deep breath and commune with the Father. We need silence—especially silence with our hearts turned heavenward—but many times we don’t recognize our need or take time for it. And taking time for it seems especially challenging during an already busy Christmas season.

Let’s not wait for the moments of silence that surprise us. Let’s seek out silence. Let’s make time for it, especially during the Christmas season and other busy seasons of our lives. Let’s enter into a soundless sanctuary and wait for the silent symphony to begin. The Conductor stands ready to give the cues. Won’t you accept his gift of comfort and peace along with me?

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” John 14:27 NIV

*How will you make time for silence this holiday season? I’m so looking forward to next Christmas season when my Christmas devotional book will be available to help lead you into moments of silence and peace. Can’t wait to share it with all of you!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free! 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.

*Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

Filed Under: challenge, Christmas, comfort, Gift, heal, holidays, life, music, nature, peace, refresh, silence, surprise, time, worship Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Take Time for Wonder

November 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Years ago I invited extra beauty into my life by putting a birdbath and birdfeeder in our backyard. Since my office window provides a perfect view of that portion of our yard, I’ve enjoyed moments of wonder ever since that I would never have spotted otherwise.

I took the above photo of a cardinal that first November and was thrilled to capture the shot. In my experience with photographing birds up to that point, I’d found that male cardinals didn’t sit still for long—at least not long enough for me to get a shot centered and focused.

Since then, I’ve also spotted a few new-to me birds, saw a huge bird land in our yard (probably a hawk of some sort), and enjoyed watching not only birds in the birdbath but also  caught squirrels and a cat drinking there as well. I even captured a shot of a squirrel trying to get in on the action at the birdfeeder. I also managed to thwart a neighborhood cat’s attack on one of the unusual birds that visited our yard one summer.

But I wouldn’t have seen any of these wonders or enjoyed their beauty if I hadn’t taken the time to look. I glance out my office window several times a day just to see what special treats God might have waiting for me right under my nose.

Sometimes I’m so busy I’m tempted to ignore anything going on outside of my current task. I’ve stayed at my keyboard or dashed in and out of my office, not taking the time to slow down and savor beauty, not taking the time to try to capture some great photos. I wonder what I’ve missed during those times.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss the beauty. I don’t want to miss God’s blessing. Join me, won’t you? Let’s take time for wonder.

“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5 NIV

*What wonders have you seen lately?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! 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

Filed Under: beauty, creation/creative/creator, joy, life, miracle, nature, new thing, time, treasure, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Let’s Be Wildflowers

August 20, 2024 by 2 Comments

Wildflowers make the world a better place, don’t they? They make a difference on this earth of ours. This earth God has created and given to us.

Wildflowers add color, beauty, and fresh life to their surroundings. Many spice up their corners of the world even more with distinctive scents. Their many species also offer variety and new discoveries when we visit places outside our own regions. In other words, they help keep life interesting.

In fact, the life of a wildflower is one we’d do well to emulate. Just think—wouldn’t it be great if when speaking about us, others might say,“ She adds such beauty and color and fresh life everywhere she goes. Her fragrance is the fragrance of Christ. There’s no one else quite like her. I love to be around her.”

What do you say? Want to make the world a better place? Want to make a difference? Let’s be wildflowers!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV

*What kind of wildflower would you like to be? How would you like to make the world a better place?

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE. *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 Indian Paintbrush taken years ago in Grand Teton National Park)

Filed Under: beauty, challenge, color, creation/creative/creator, encouragement, flowers, joy, life, light, nature, refresh, variety Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes We Need to be Carried

April 16, 2024 by 2 Comments

Sometimes we need to be carried. Just ask the little bird who’s hitchin’ a ride on the back of the pronghorn above—a sight we witnessed over ten years ago on our trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone.

Maybe the little guy was tired from a long flight through the mountains or possibly he wasn’t feeling well. Maybe that was the best spot in the meadow to catch a refreshing breeze. Whatever the reason, he decided to use someone else’s strength for a bit.

I wonder if any of us need to be carried today, need to use someone else’s strength for a little while. Maybe we need friends praying for us. Maybe we are overwhelmed with life right now and could use some help with certain tasks or responsibilities. Or perhaps we simply need a listening ear. I find all of this to be true from time to time in my role as caregiver right now.

Let’s not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for and accept help. Sometimes we need a little encouragement.  Sometimes we need some extra strength. And yes, sometimes we need to be carried.

“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.” Luke 5:18 NIV

*Do you have a burden I can help carry through prayer?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. *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

Filed Under: burden, encouragement, Friend, help, life, nature, refresh, rest, strength, stress Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flower Crown Bridal Headpiece

April 2, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, has your daughter has settled on her dress for her big day? If so, now is the time to start considering veils and/or headpieces. What will look best with her dress? Her hair? What fits her personality?

The flower crown is one option that is done less often than others, but it could be just right for your sweet girl. If she tends to be playful, likes whimsy, or has earthy leanings and also wants part of her attire to look a little more casual, a crown of roses, daisies, baby’s breath, or any number of other flower combinations might be the answer to her headpiece decision.

The bride-to-be can choose fresh, dried, or even fabric flowers and shop for her dream flower crown in stores or online. Or she could of course ask the florist, a family member, or a friend to fashion one for her.

More of than not, veils aren’t used with flower crown headpieces, but that’s not always the case. Brides can do whatever they want. However, flower crown headpieces don’t need a veil. So if your daughter prefers not to wear a veil, this particular headpiece option might be perfect for her.

Why not toss out the flower crown headpiece idea, MOB, and see if it strikes your daughter’s bridal-hair fancy. If it does, you’re one step closer to completing her big day look!

*You might also like to read In Lieu of a Veil: Floral Bridal Combs or Hairpins and Bride’s Hair Accessory: Baby’s Breath.

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

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library.  *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photos by~ Hatty Photo, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: accessories, appearance, bride, flowers, Mother of the Bride, nature, preparation, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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