Wildflowers Paint The Prairie Photo Walk

Gratitude

is not just what we ought to do,

our duty or obligation,

but true gratitude . . . 

seeking and thinking on the things to be grateful for . . .

and holding it dear,

well, 

that actually

brings us into the very presence of God.

Here's the song we started the day with

that played in my mind

while we were on the prairie

and throughout our day together:

Awake My Soul

Sometimes we have to let go

of what we 

planned,

expected,

hoped for.

So that we can enjoy what we find instead.

A few weeks ago, I'd hoped for birds.

But we found purple cone flowers (echinacea).

I had envisioned lots of purple cone flowers for this photo walk

but we had an abundance of other varieties instead.

We were blessed with rain a week ago.

Without it, the grass would not have been green.

Yet I know, even so, there would be wildflowers

pressing up through the dry cracks.

The prairie flowers were beautiful.

But the true joy was the beauty of the women I shared the day with.

Seeking beauty.

Focusing on gratitude.

Seeing that if God cares so much for the flowers of the field,

how much more does He care for each of these

precious

lives?

The flowers remind us of gratitude to our Creator.

And that He cares deeply for us.

Reminds us that like each flower,

we are like no other person,

each with a beauty of it's own to give.

And that it takes each one being and doing 

what they are called to be and do

to make the vast beauty of a prairie

and of a Body.

The Body of Christ takes each one.

And each one is important and loved

because of The Maker.

Important to and loved by The Maker.

Intended.

And I was reminded to share

the connections, the callings, the stirrings in my spirit

with others.

How the pieces come together,

because as we risk and share,

we see the hand of God,

His circle and cycle of grace,

and we grow

to deeper relationships

with

friends

and 

with

Him.