Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The Beauty of the Little Things

How do you feel about the ordinary, the little, the sometimes overlooked and underrated?
Aren't those gossamer wings gorgeous?


I have been unusually aware of and interested in the above mentioned categories lately. Take these pictures for example. They aren't earth-shattering, and some you might not find attractive at all. That's OK. Truthfully, as I look at some, I am not sure that what I saw when I clicked the pic, is properly conveyed by the time the photo is posted. But I am going to attempt to share some thoughts anyway...

As my Honey and I wandered around during his first week at home, (have I mentioned he is just a bit stir-crazy?) taking pictures of just about everything...we were inspired to take pictures of the "little things". Things that were actually little, and tiny and would usually be walked over, on or past without notice. Also, little in the sense that they may seem ordinary. It was on our minds to find the beauty through the lens if we could. It was very theraputic. It's the the little, the simple that have been especially noticed by me of late, and have moved me to giving thanks. Thanks for crazy things like my hubby's joy at text messaging (now he's sending all sorts of romantic and silly texts), blue skies, living in a beach town, a teen who can loves a foot rub and turns all chatty when he gets one, a little pooch who just inexplicably adores me and follows me around EVERYWHERE! A Mom who still gets up at 3, 4, 5 and all other hours of what I call "0 dark thirty" and prays for me and for all the rest of her kids, and the world at large, coffee, my church, and silly little weeds, and mushrooms that made pretty photos and the fact that God answers our prayer in all sorts of wonderful, zany ways!

Yup! This really is a weed. Don't ask where it grows, just appreciate the blooms with me! :)


I needed some activity and fresh air, so I said "I'm going for a walk, be back in a few". Honey decided he would come along, too. He brought the camera of course! It was amazing the way the little weed flowers down the side of the road begged for their picture to be taken! You could almost hear them "Oooh! Oooh! Pick me!" So we did!

More little weeds that usually are nothing to be excited to see growing. But when they bloom, who can resist? Apparently not me! ;)



Now this really is a weed to not be thrilled to have growing, but when you see these little blooms they start to put out, there's just something about them that says "Notice me". And this will sound weird, but I was telling my husband that when I see some of these tiny plants and flowers, every since I was a child, I always think it looks like a little minitarure world suitable for fairy creatures. You can't really appreciate that from this picture, but I am hoping maybe you can imagine from ones you have seen.


Extremely small mushrooms, in a bed of pine needles. Love them! I can't explain it, but I really do!

Roxy, my oldest's German Shepherd. She is a mixed blessing. At this moment she is surveying her domain.


This is a group of trees next door at my bil and sil's place. They are wonderful people I am daily grateful for. This group of trees grew in this perfectly symmetric way through no human interference. I have been finding many, many examples like this recently which speaks to me about God's order. He's sovreign and as my husband likes to say "Large and in charge", that's something to hold onto when the present looks a little chaotic. We are His, we are made in His image, and He makes beauty and He does things in order and for a purpose. That means we can not only expect Him to be at work in such a fashion, but that we should expect to be doing a little of that ourselves! Making beauty where ever we go, and living with purpose!
I hope you never look at weeds and mushrooms the same way again! Thanks, Ya'll!

7 comments:

Stacey said...

Beautiful pictures. Taking time to smell the roses...or the weeds...or whatever! It is such a blessing when we can stop in the middle of the chaos and notice the beauty of creation. Glad you and your honey are doing that!

luvmy4sons said...

That was totally enjoyable. I felt like I was entertained and I smiled throughout! Thank you for that breath of fresh air dear sister! I love it!

Denise said...

Such lovely pictures, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Great pics. Weeds are people too, after all.

This post made me think of all the people that are overlooked, while we fall all over ourselves for the "pretty people."

Karen Hossink said...

Ordinary, little, overlooked and under-rated?
Sounds like the kind of thing God exalts for His glory! I'm thinking David the shepherd boy, Gideon and his army of 300, Moses the not-so-well-spoken...know what I mean?
Thanks for sharing these "little" thoughts with us. *grin*

Knit-Wit said...

The weeds are just as beautiful as the cultivated flowers. It's all perspective. I remember as a kid pulling daisies out of my dad's field. Then to my surprise when I got married my MIL was PLANTING daisies! I was in shock to see someone planting a noxious weed. LOL Before moving to MT, I had Daisies planted in my flower garden. :)

She Rose Up said...

Stacey - Thanks! Speaking of smelling roses - Sunday night on our walk we could smell the jasmine and gardenias all through the neighborhood! It was wonderful!

Leslie - I'm so glad! We all so very much need frequent such breaths, don't we?

Denise - Thanks!

Carole - I could SOOO go there! I know JUST what you mean! As long as there have been people, there has been such a preoccupation with such! Sadly!

Karen - that is exactly what was on my mind! I am so grateful that His is specialty!

Karolee - Guess what? My two favorite flowers are daisies and tulips! Loved your story! What sweet irony!

God bless!
Maria

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!