We all need vacations in life's fast and maddening race
an interlude of quietness from the constant, jet-age-pace.
So when your day is pressure-packed and your hours are all too few,
just close your eyes and meditate and let God talk to you.
For when we keep on pushing, we're not following in God's way.
We are foolish, selfish robots mechanized to fill each day
with unimportant trivia that makes life more complex
and gives us greater problems to irritate and vex.
So when your nervous network becomes a tangled mess,
just close your eyes in silent prayer and ask the Lord to bless
each thought that you are thinking, each decision you must make,
as well as every word you speak and every step you take.
For only by the grace of God can you gain self control,
and only meditative thoughts can restore your peace and soul.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~
My garden beautifies my yard and adds fragrance to the air,
but it is also my cathedral and my quiet place of prayer.
So little do we realize that the glory and the power
of Him who made the universe lies hidden in a flower!
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~
*******
In my photos you can see that the beauty of the Fall flowers
has arrived in all of their glory.
The skies are painted with a fresh color of blue,
but as you can see, the clouds are white and fluffy
indicating cooler weather has certainly arrived;
bringing with them much appreciated rain.
This time of year also brings with it an abundance of things
I need to accomplish in order to get my mother settled for the winter months.
As I sit quietly with the Lord asking Him to clearly
show me what is important and pleasing to Him,
I realize that I must set some things aside
so as not to become a "foolish robot making life more complex."
Therefore, I will be taking a break from Blogging
and will look forward to catching up with you all after
my days are not so "pressure-paked and my hours all too few."
Enjoy the season that we are blessed to be in
and may your days bring glory to God.
Joy!
~ Debbie ~
25 comments:
Oh sweet Debbie, your days are truly packed with things that are important, since you have your dear mother depending on your help.
I so agree with the poem you have shared. My little garden offers me a chance to commune quietly with Our God. He created the flowers and the birds that visit often. So it is definitely a place of prayer for me. Take all the time you need and my prayers will be with you as you help your mother settle. I know it is a bittersweet for her and for you ... mari
What a lovely piece by Helen Steiner Rice. I have several of her books of poetry and they are a blessing.
May you feel God's love, peace and joy surrounding and flowing through you at this time.
Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady
I love Helen Steiner Rice! Beautiful photo's, I love daisies!
I will miss your post but understand. Take care of yourself and your Mother.
So good, Debbie, that you're listening to our Lord, and taking time to be quieter and do the most important things. Blessings to you as you help your mom. I know she will be blessed by your care of her. I'm just getting back from a break as you're taking one . . . but know I think of you and pray for you. Love, Deborah
I love the poem and your pictures are just gorgeous! The red bee balm caught my eye as they are one of my favorites and did not do well this year in my garden in our extreme heat. Have a lovely time off!
Beautiful post, Debbie. I had to read it twice. I will be thinking of you as you prepare your mother for the winter months and look forward to seeing you when you return. Hugs
Hello Debbie,
Wishing you, your mother, and your whole family Gods very best in the months ahead.
Come back and see us when you can : ) Bless you, Karen O
Hi Debbie, Such beautiful verses to think over and take to heart. Yes, it is important to take a step back and put life into proper order so as not to be a robot in our day to day routines that get overwhelming at times. We can easily take on too much and get off track. Your flowers are gorgeous and such an inspiration for fall. Enjoy your time off and we will see you again soon when you feel ready to return to your lovely blog. Blessings to you mother too.
Happy Fall,
Love to you, xo
Your words, as always, speak to my heart, and your gorgeous photos of your garden flowers provided me with such beauty. You are in my daily prayers, my friend, and God Bless You as you help your mom. You're such a good daughter and a blessing to your mom. Love and hugs are sent to you, sweet friend.
My dear Mom loved Helen Steiner Rice's poetry...seeing it here made me think of her. Thank you for the sweet, gentle reminder, my friend. I hope you enjoy your blogging break...you will be missed! Sending you love and hugs!
Your garden is so beautiful, its shows Gods grace.
It is so good to take care for your mother and honor her.
Enjoy your break!
What a lovely poem by HSR.
I hope you can enjoy every moment helping your sweet mama.
Fall invites us to ponder. It's a welcome rest (well, it CAN be, right?)
God bless you, sweet Debbie!
Precious Debbie, you are such a blessing to others and now you need to take some time for yourself. The beautiful flower photos remind me of you. You bloom and share your beauty with others. Now take some time to take a deep breath and refresh yourself. Hugs.
What a wonderful post. Filled with good advice & some gorgeous flowers. Enjoy your break.
My oh my, what stunning photos! The vibrant colors put a smile on my face and the angles of your pictures are simply perfect! Love the trees and mountains in the background.
I think you are wise to take a break from blogging as you have much on your plate right now. You ill certainly be missed, but we understand your need to step away for a bit. The words from Helen Steiner Rice are very fitting....
Thank again for such beautiful photos! Know that I thoroughly enjoyed scrolling through your images. See you later today :) Love you lots!
Thank you for the beautiful flowers and skies...and poems from one of my favorite poets. We call her "Aunt Helen", because my married name is Steiner. No relation that we know of, but we claim her anyway. Praying your time away will be productive and peaceful, as you take of your mother's needs. Such a privilege to care for your mother, as she cared for you (and brought you into this world, after all!). Make the most of that special time with her. Life is fleeting.
Be blessed, my friend.
Dear Debbie! Such beautiful pictures you have taken, and I love how you started with a closeup of the flowers, and then broadened the view with each additional glorious picture, absolutely gorgeous! I love the poems you chose about your garden being a cathedral! Truly such a beautiful place where you could worship the Lord, in your garden! I love the fall weather, it indeed brings more duties to accomplish before winter, and my heart goes out to you in understanding of how to handle all the needs that are placed at our feet. I know you have a heart of Mary, and must choose the most important things to get done. I am praying for you dear friend, your heart for the Lord always is such a blessing and encouragement to me, and I know that this blogging break will usher in new and wonderful delights in the Lord. Will continue to keep you in my prayers dear one! Hugs sent to you today :)
Debbie, As I was reading your post, I was oohing and aahing over those gorgeous flowers of yours! Yes, I can definitely see that fall is in the air. My son and his family just returned from The Colorado mountains near Vail and it was quite chilly! Enjoy your break and do what you need to do for your mama! Looking forward to your return :)
Dear Debbie,
I totally understand your need to take some time to get things in order. The words of Helen Steiner Rice I have read before....these words make such good sense. Your photos as always are so beautiful, what a gorgeous part of the country you live in!
While you are gone I hope you take some time to also relax and enjoy the season. Don't forget to smell the roses! (though they aren't roses, I hope you get my point!)
Thinking of you dear Debbie and keeping you in my prayers...
xo
Linda
Beautiful inspiration... Nice words and photos♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
May the Lord give you all the strength and grace and help you need moment by moment as you rest in His sovereign care over you, Debbie. How good and gracious He is to us as His children! I am praying for you today as you seek to minister to your precious Mama. Hugs, Camille
Beautiful Debbie! I used to have an old book of Helen Steiner Rice poems. She had some sweet ones. Your photos are beautiful. Happy Fall. Prayers for you as you work on helping out your mom. She is blessed to have you and that work is such a ministry. You are wise to budget your time as you do. May God bless you as your work and your mom as she receives.
Hmmm, something must have been speaking me today because I just knew I had to come visit.
Debbie, your beautiful flowers against the crisp, blue Autumn sky take my breath away! And so do your words. I really needed to hear these today because, although I do meditate, I'm so busy these days that I've forgotten to take the time to do so and this is when I most need to.
I hope you enjoy your time away to catch your breath and relax, dear friend.
I've been far too caught up in the craziness of life and I miss you!
Take good care. Lots of love to you!
Hi, Debbie -- I'm just catching up on blogging friends, and you are still on your much-needed break. I hope things are going well with your mother and that you are finding times of peace and respite in the days.
The flower pictures are so refreshing..
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