A prayerful reminder.
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This little green friend has met me at my back door more than once this past week. I’m happy to see him still there. The bees have returned, life is bustling by, and it seems I need another reminder.
Whether I like it or not, I tend to get stuck in that cycle of getting caught up in the whirlwind of life. I forget to take the time to stop to think.
To pray.
To contemplate.
To back up and regroup.
It’s something we all need. When the bumps of life hit, some bigger than others, if we’re not in the habit of being regular and intentional with our time, those bumps can throw us for a loop. We may react inappropriately, or retreat if not emotionally and spiritually healthy.
Funny how I keep getting reminders and learning lessons from itty bitty insects when I’m surrounded by such big things.
Funny how that is.
How are you intentional with your time? What can you do differently to manage the whirlwind of life so you can have the time for prayer, introspection and spiritual health?
I love how a praying mantis looks so wise, as if it peers deeply into your soul. Lovely post …
Lovely reminder; beautiful photographs!
Love this post. Your photos are always stunning!
for some reason I find them really scary. too fierce a stare for a bug. good post though. so true. my fave photo is the first
I live in a whirlwind most of the time so I love it when God, in His faithfulness to us, reaches out and reveals truth and love through the beauty and miracle of His creation…the vast ocean, a misty rainbow, a fascinating praying mantis…
It reminds me to stop, give thanks and trust Him. Beautiful pictures!
Thank you! Beautiful photos. I love how the little guy turned and looked directly at the camera!
I think I need to weed my garden more…
I agree with Denise. Amen! Life is too short.
Amen and amen.
Not an easy task but there are times when I have to walk away from my ‘have to’ list and just ‘be’ – in the moment, in my surroundings, life and listening/watching to all that I come in contact with. Quiet, peace and even a praying mantis or two …
The Professor (my husband) gave me a magnet for my birthday a couple years ago: ‘Peace, it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work; it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.’
Thanks for sharing ~
Inspiring. I love it.
Wei-Wei
Thanks for the reminder.
I agree. Too much of my time is spent “putting out fires.” When I ‘m intentional life goes so much better. It also goes better when I take the time to pray.
I really love this post… it is beautifully simplistic, yet FULL of meaning and spot on advice. Well done!
Be blessed-
Amanda
To “stop and smell the roses” so to speak. I tend to get caught up in the daily “doing things” I sometimes need a reminder to pause or slow down and refocus. By listening to my daughter I get those cues. When I get frustrated she pulls me away from what I am doing for a break and we just sit and reflect or we walk around outside seeing what little creations we can find to explore. She helps me enjoy the simple things and reconnect. In the same way it helps me connect with her. She is seven and in some ways she is wiser than I. 🙂
A wonderful blog, Amy.
It is always amazing to me how God can speak to us through the simpliest things in life. Some things we walk by everyday and don’t even notice till the day we need it most and there it is staring you in the face. Whether a bug, a flower, a smile, a tear, a sunrise or sunset, whatever may inspire you consider it a a gift from God And if His smallest creatures can be used to show us His love and grace what more can we do?
Thanks for your POST! I find in order to keep focused I have to do it everyday…first thing in the morning is prayer and scripture study, doesn’t need to be long, just everyday. After that, I spend some time INDEXING…typing in names from old cencus records on the internet so people researching family history can find their ancestors. These daily projects help me keep focused!
Recently, I have been reading and meditating and journaling (which sounds like a lot of time, but I have three boys home for the summer, so really,not a huge amount of time) on the sermons from this book: The Book of Women’s Sermons, Rev. E. Lee Hancock, Editor. These are sermons given by female religious leaders from all different religious backgrounds. I am enjoying hearing their words and reflecting on my own life in their context.
Such a great reminder to stop and reflect. I used to be in the habit of journaling and reflecting on each day, but it never lasts long. I need to remember how much more balanced I feel when I have some prayerful meditation time.