FOTD, July 31, & Encouragement

Cee creates an amazing challenge using flowers with her FOTD post and many of us join in on the fun. This evening, I want to stretch that challenge with encouragement from a weed.

Due to the excessive heat we have had this summer, I have not been able to work much in my yard the last few weeks, and as usual, the weeds have taken over. But Friday I started the weed whacker and took care of business. One weed I left as it was covered in interesting looking buds and today they are opening.

You can see from my thumb how very tiny this cluster of flowers is. I took out my camera with the macro lens and got a closer shot to show you the intricacies.

Here you can see the super tiny flowers bunched together to make the cluster of color.

What I want everyone who reads this to really see and understand is that each of us is just this beautiful, just this intricate, and just this much loved as we were created. If God goes to the trouble to do this for a tiny flower, even an unwanted weed type flower, think of how much more precious you are to God when he created you in His image. So don’t let anyone tell you that you are not loved, that you are not special, or that you are not needed. Because God never makes junk, He always makes a masterpiece.

So smile knowing you are special and remember to smile and be kind to others who may not realize how special they are.

FOTD, July 26, The Peace Garden

At our church, we have several small gardens that surround the building and are taken care of by certain individuals, families, or certain classes. The Peace Garden has been the focus of one of our families that work in it at different times of the year to prune, mulch, plant and of course to enjoy. It is located on the corner by the driveway to the parking lot so it gets seen by many people – even those who do not come to our church.

The lilies in this garden are extraordinary. This crazy triple digit heat does not seem to bother them. This first one is kind of a peachy orange with a pink blush in the center of the petals and a bright yellow center. I love the ruffled edges.

The other lily in the garden is a bold maroon red with a bright yellow center.

Here we have three blooms on one stalk. Beautiful.

On the backside of this garden are happy yellow cone flowers.

There are brick walkways that wind through this small garden to help those who enjoy gardens, a way to relax and enjoy its beauty while feeling its peace.

For many, flowers and gardens have a way to reach down inside of us to help us relax and enjoy the beauty God intended. So, I remind you to enjoy the beauty around you and to always be kind. Being kind has a beauty all on its own.

FOTD, July 20, Lily (again)

As Cee shares her lily picture, I too am sharing the lilies that are around our church. These lilies are orangey-yellow with dark orange accents, kind of a standard color but still pretty. I love how every other petal is a different color and the ruffles always add to their beauty.

Come join in on the beauty you see with other flower lovers and have a happy flower day. And as always, I remind you of the happiness and beauty of kindness.

Reena’s Xploration Challenge, Rain

Use the word rain in any form to share your thoughts.

Alternatively, here is a picture which is experimental on Unsplash.

I stand alone

dying from thirst

No rain

While parts of our world are in the wet season and have too much rain, some areas are desperately needing rain, real and spiritual.

Whether it be actual rain you need or spiritual rain you need, kindness during that season always brings a light of hope. May kindness rain down on you quenching the thirst from hard times.

Acceptance of Love

In reading my devotion from Billy Graham’s Daily Devotions this morning, I learned a new concept of Christ’s love that I never thought of before. Billy Graham said…

A gift is not a gift unless it is accepted. God has given you His Son, but ownership is conditional on acceptance. God does not force His gift on us, but He asks us to receive by faith the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Billy Graham

While I have long ago accepted Christ as my savior, I never really thought about that if you don’t accept Him as a gift, you don’t get to have Him. There have been tangible gifts through the years that I have refused, and I never connected the dots of God’s love, mercy, patience, or guidance as being a gift I would refuse.

A person who deliberately refuses God’s offer of love, mercy, and forgiveness is lost. Most people gratefully receive a gift when given in love. The greatest sin that a person can commit is to refuse God’s love. Billy Graham

I am creating this post not to make anyone feel uncomfortable in their own beliefs but to help anyone realize the beauty, compassion, love, and understanding that is available for accepting the gift from God of his one and only son Jesus Christ.

Remember to always share kindness with others as He has been kind to you.

FOTD, July 19, Portulaca

Portulaca is a type of flowering plant in the Portulacaceae family that is also known as the moss rose as it does resemble a small rose. The flower size is not larger than 4 inches but its vibrant color makes up for the small size.

You can see that in the flower box, they are more widely scattered than tall with succulent-type leaves. On closer view their mix of colors can make you smile.

The bees were very busy this morning with their little legs being covered in the all important pollen. Below are some closeups of individual bloom colors and their bee friends.

A white bloom, a red bloom beside it, and a yellow bloom with a bee friend.

Rosey pinks with their bee friends and a light pink below.

This bloom really shows the rose like quality of the bloom.

As you enjoy the simple beauty of these blooms, remember the beauty of kindness.

Always Be Kind!

FOTD, July 18, Lily

I love surprises. Especially flower surprises that just show up from a random bird dropping of seed. This is a flower bed doomed for destruction and restructuring so I have not really done much with it this year but now I had a bulb that will need saving and replanting.

I had one similar last year in my front yard but it did not come back this year. Maybe it moved to the back where it gets more sun.

Both blooms are exquisite with ruffled edges, bright yellow centers, and a pinkish color to the petals. Join in with Cee’s Flower of the day and share the beauty you see.

And as always, remember to be kind. The beauty of kindness is more important that the beauty of any flower.

Always Be Kind!

God’s beauty

As we look around our world, nature in its rawest form is beautiful and majestic and something God wanted to share with us. If you are on Facebook, I encourage you to check out National Geographic: Photographs of the Day, as photographers show you the beauty, the caring, the loving attributes that animals have through amazing photographs. I posted the names listed on the page of the photo hoping these are the amazing photographers. I apologize if wrong but what amazing photographs.

Many say that animals have no soul. Since I believe in Christ and the Bible, it says that man is made in God’s image where He gave us a piece of Himself so that we would commune with Him, a soul.

However, God also created animals and I believe he created in them an ability to also commune with Him. A, D. Williams, an American football player and also a minister said, “If they love, they are aware. If they are aware, they have a soul.”

These photographs I am posting prove that all creatures understand love. Love given to them by our creator. Its an amazing love meant to be shared one day when man and beast alike will commune together in kindness and love.

“In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10.

Kibeir Maazouz

Keka Banerjee

Kibeir Maazouz

Adriano Garcia

A,J, John Arryadanpakal

Ashkor Patro

Nima Gaming YT

If you start with elephants, you must end with elephants. They are the largest animal we currently have and in my opinion, openly show the most affection and care within their herd and outside of it.

Always remember to show kindness and love as the elephants do. You never know what light you may bring to a weary soul.

FOTD, July 16, A Redo

A few days ago I posted a flower that was upended before opening by a storm. I was hoping it would bloom inside. So today I thought I would show you the bloom as it did finally fully open. I give you a burnt red-orange sunflower…never seen this color before.

I tried several angles to show off the color but this seemed to be the best shot. The petals almost look brown but looking close you can see the orange. And the pollen is bright yellow and long. You can see in the closeup below how long the pollen stems are plus it gives you a closeup of the petal color.

Flowers can be an amazing journey as you visit gardens or try “mystery” seed packets like what this one came from. The bloom size is not huge but its effect is.

Have a beautiful quiet Sunday and remember to be kind.

Beautiful Family

While Goldfinches do not mate for life, they do stay within their flock and remain as pairs for a season.

While I do not have the equipment for amazing shots like Nat Geo, I do enjoy sharing what I can. I assume this is the same pair that frequents my sunflowers but if it’s more than one pair, then I am doubly blessed.

The male is striking but very bashful or more cautious that the female.

The beauty of nature that God shares with us should always be appreciated. It gives us a glimpse of the beauty of Heaven. So watch for it and share it with others. And always be kind – that has a beauty all its own.

Always Be kind!