Thursday, May 17, 2007

Thankful Thursday



I love the idea of setting aside a day a week on my blog to be thankful. Because the truth is we often let our days slip by without being intentionally thankful. Oh we think quick thoughts of thanks, but how many times do we take the time to actually express that attitude to God or even to others?
This morning I was walking around my flowerbeds, drinking my final cup of coffee before leaving for work and it occurred to me that I was just so thankful for the beauty of flowers. I am so glad that God loves beauty. He could have made everything black and white, or dull and boring, but He didn't! God loves beautiful things. And not only that, He shared his love of beauty with women. Most women love making things beautiful and having beautiful things and I believe that is a special gift from God. And it is a part of Him that He wove into our femininity. I think it is one of the ways women are most like Him. Like any other gift, it can become distorted. If beauty is our ultimate desire then it becomes something that God never intended it to be. But I also wonder if it is just as wrong to ignore, or take for granted the wonderful gift of beauty?
I thought it might be fun to share some of the beauty in my yard with you today:

I just love pansies - they are always so "happy"! I love the one that is lifting its face to the sunlight. It reminds me that I should always lift my face to the Son. Look at the one peeking out from the rocks. Maybe it is saying that even in the rough places of our lives beauty abounds.
And look at these beautiful Columbine. I think I look forward to these the most every summer. They are so delicate, but strong. And they come back year after year. It is good to be tough and resistant to the harshness of life. And it is good to remain beautiful year after year. I love the variegation in the shade of pink. It shows every shade imaginable in the same bloom. Even though we may experience different shades of emotions in our lives, oh that we may be like the Columbine and let it all combine into one beauty.


And this is my favorite flower of all:
Bleeding Hearts!
My grandmother always had Bleeding Hearts in her yard and I was so enthralled with them as a little girl. I determined that I would always have them too. I was so thrilled the other day when my daughter came home from San Diego and asked if I still had Bleeding Hearts. She said she couldn't imagine home without them! I hope my girls carry on the tradition. Bleeding Hearts make me remember that I need to be burdened for others, especially those who are in need. Our hearts should always be open and giving to those whom Jesus loves.
And look at this Peony - just bursting at it's seams - longing to be a part of this beautiful world.
Oh, that I would always be anticipating whatever it is that God has planned for me next!

Thank you for indulging me and going on a walk through my flowers. I hope that I have conveyed the thankfulness I feel in my heart towards our Creator.

If you would like to have a Thankful Thursday click here.

13 comments:

Nise' said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful flowers with us! I love, love pansies!

Corrie said...

Thank you for the beautiful reminder that we don't have to look far for something to thank God for.

Mary said...

Thank you for the walk thru your garden. I love flowers! I have a cobalt blue columbine that is striking. And my grandmother also had bleeding hearts in her garden. Coffee in the garden...you're a good woman! :)
Blessings on your day.

Pearls of Wisdom said...

Thank you for the beautiful post and sharing your flowers. May the Lord Bless you this week and always.

In his endless love,

Angel Mama ( Pearls of Wisdom)

Mrs. Julie Fink said...

Beautiful and refreshing! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Your flowers are so pretty. I think pansies are the happiest flowers ever. My absolute favorite flowers are hydrangeas for looks, and lilacs for scent. We can't grow lilacs in Florida. But oh, do we grow hydrangeas.

Thanks for sharing your flower garden.

Denise said...

I love your beautiful flowers, thanks for sharing them.

marlise said...

Those are beautiful flowers. Thanks for the reminder to notice and thank God for the beauty that's right in front of us.

Mary said...

Hi Robin,
I've tagged you with a meme "8 things about me". Stop over my place and see the rules. You can play if you want.

Blessings on your weekend.

Mary said...

Sorry, I can take your name off. You have a great list. I also am a pastor's wife. Funny!
Blessings.

kittyhox said...

Hello, fellow northwesterner,

How funny. As soon as I saw your pansy pictures I thought that pansies always look so happy! Then I saw you'd written just the same thing. They're so cheerful, somehow.

Your Columbine and Bleeding Hearts are also gorgeous. I love that you have something to remind you of and always connect you to your grandmother. Family traditions are the best.

Oh, how I wish I had a green thumb. Maybe someday. Right now I'm trying to keep my one indoor clover plant alive, and if my husband didn't water it for me half the time it wouldn't have lasted this long.

Anyway, I just loved seeing your flower photos. They brightened my day.

Have a wonderful weekend!

eph2810 said...

You should see all the flower shots I take - I love flowers. You have some incredible ones in your yard -- thank you for taking us with you. I have never ever seen Bleeding Hearts - do you think they grow in the desert of Arizona? I would love to have those in my yard.

Thank you again for talking us on a stroll and sharing your heart with us this week.

Blessings on your weekend and always.

Mrs. Anna T said...

Wow, I haven't been around for a while and I really enjoyed some of your more recent posts! I should share my pansies too. :)

Hope you will enjoy your vacation!