Wildflower Beauties

Sometimes, it's the simple things in life that bring the greatest joy. The quieter moments when we just stop and breathe and enjoy what's going on around us at the time.

I went for a walk with Cady over the weekend. We didn't go far as the humidity was really high and I started to sweat and she was panting like crazy. Just up the road and down another side road and back to the mailbox and to home. And Cady tends to wander, stop, sniff, and move on, searching for the next new smell. Makes for a very slow walk and definitely not in a straight line!

 But while we were meandering, I took some pictures of what I consider to be simple things that brought me joy....wildflowers! (Which was not necessarily an easy thing as I would go to focus and zoom in and she wanted to pull on the leash and move on!) But I did get some nice pics (OK, in my mind, they are nice pics....they may not do anything for you! Which is OK! ☺)

Dainty little yellow ones

Even dainter white ones....♥love♥ those little ferny things, too!

Some tall "weeds" that appealed to me visually

Daisies.....what can I say? I *♥love♥* daisies!

Tall bush-like but petite flowers

♥Loved♥ the color of these and yet, the camera doesn't do justice to the purpleness! Lovely!♥

These petite daisies were a treat! Can we say, " ♥Love them!♥ " I didn't see them until we headed back home. I liked these so much I made the picture my wallpaper on my computer! ♥♥♥

Beauty is all around us, or as the saying goes, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Which gives me pause to think of how our Great Beholder sees us. He sees us as beautiful from the inside out. After all, if He lives in us, then He is seeing us reflected back through our lives, our words, our actions. I pray I reflect Him in my life! And that what He and others see is truly beautiful!

A blessing for you from the Word (and my prayer for you today!):

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our GOD. May the LORD grant all your requests.

~ Psalm 20:4-5

And before I close for today, I want to leave you with another gem from the book I'm reading, God Always Has a Plan B, this one written by Barbara Johnson (pg 11):

When life becomes especially hard and troubles seem to gang up on us, I have a few suggestions.

Don't struggle and fret and try to cope all by yourself. Put the situation in God's hands, trusting that He will bring it to the conclusion that is best for everyone involved.

Pray for guidance and believe that direction is being given to you now.

Pray for and practice a calm attitude.

Let faith saturate your thoughts.

Remind yourself of one great truth: Hard experiences do pass. They will yield. So just hold on, with GOD's help.

Remember that there is always a light in the darkness. Believe that and look for it; it is the light of GOD's love.

Ask the LORD to release your ingenuity, so that you can face the problem creatively with strength and wisdom.

Remember that others experience troubles similar to yours.

Our heavenly Father is committed to shaping us into His image, and so HE knows the ultimate value of each painful experience. No, traumas are not unique -- to you or to this time in history. The road sign has marked everyone's path. GOD asks us to face these dead ends with an air of expectancy that His peace and power will prevail. And they will.

May your day today be filled with joy and may you be blessed beyond measure!