May's Verse
The photo for this print was taken by my husband and made even more incredible by our daughter, Elle (Lauren), a digital artist extraordinaire. It is a Texas wildflower in bloom, the Antelope Horn.
Ecclesiastes 3 is one of my favorite Bible passages. It begins with a famous verse,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven....
and it goes on to list almost every important activity that's undertaken in this world. It's the scripture that every mother clings to as she cleans up the umpteenth spill or separates two bickering children. "Lord, please get me through this season of life..."
But I love what this passage goes on to say. Take verse 11:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Would you spend a few minutes to think about it with me?
He has made everything beautiful in its time...even in the midst of a heavy, hard situation, there is beauty to be found somewhere. I know that some of our Company Girls are walking on some very difficult paths right now. No one would ever choose illness, or divorce, or loss, but sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of a life experience that defies understanding. There are no easy answers. This verse reminds us to look for what God is doing: watch for how He will undertake for you, provide for you, comfort you, strengthen you. He is there, working.
He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...He's placed a searching desire to know God within our heart. It's as real as the blood that pumps through it and the soul that surrounds it. We can't escape it, we can't forget it and we can't ignore it. God beckons us and calls us to Him. Can you hear Him?
We cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end...but He can see the whole spectrum of eternity and knows just where we are. I can't count how many times we've experienced something and then realized how God had orchestrated things long beforehand. You can follow a string of "strange coincidences" and see that He was involved all along, and it strengthens your faith to know that He hasn't forgotten you.
With Mother's Day approaching, I've been thinking a lot about my journey as a Mom. This scripture has been a wonderful source of comfort and help as I've wandered through both the desolate, lonely times and the wonderful times of great joy. Motherhood has had plenty of each...and everything in between.
Today's Small Thing is to print Ecclesiastes 3:11 and post it up somewhere you can see it. I put mine on my refrigerator so I can think about it many times each day. Use it throughout the month to remind you that God is watching over you and will make everything beautiful in the right time.
POINTS: 40 for printing and posting May's verse
Let us know: what beauty are you finding in your life right now?
Six years ago I went through a very difficult time with my (then) teenage daughter, to the point where I began suffering from depression from the weight of it all. I started a notebook, and every day I wrote down one thing that brought me joy that day, and one thing I saw of beauty. It helped me through each day. I'm not sure why I stopped, but your post has made me want to start writing down those two things each day again. Thank you!
Posted by: Joan | May 05, 2008 at 05:51 AM
Printed and posted - first thing this morning. Thanks for such a thoughtful post for today.
Posted by: Forgetfulone | May 05, 2008 at 05:54 AM
Very pretty. Love those wildflowers. This is an awesome verse as well. Mine is printed and hanging by my computer.
Terri
Posted by: thecoolmom | May 05, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Printed and posted!
This is a perfect verse. Here in the Inland NW we are just starting to see Sring. Many of us were beginning to feel like Spring may never come. Just when we were getting ready to throw in the towel and assume winter would be here forever He started bringing out small signs of spring. A bud here, green grass there. Now, suddenly, it's here and upon us! I'm so grateful!
Posted by: Andrea P. | May 05, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Glorious Spring green as the birch trees are breaking into leaf! Even the dandelions look good after a long flowerless winter;) Gill.
Posted by: Mrs.Holter-Hovind | May 05, 2008 at 08:19 AM
What a fitting verse for me, especially today. DH and I spent the weekend enjoying the sunshine and cleaning up the yard. It's certainly a sweet reminder to see all my peonies beginning to sprout; I got so excited each time I found new sprouts coming up! The hubby got a good giggle, too, but that was at my expense! ;)
On a more serious note, the last year has been very long. I've lost about 115 lbs and have come to a bit of a standstill. I've been getting very impatient for some more forward progress, and I know that being impatient isn't going to get me there any faster! I take this verse also as a reminder that I'm not working on my own schedule, and that perhaps this standstill is for a good reason. Between that and all the sunshine this weekend, I've taken the time to refocus my efforts on where they should be. I know that everything else will fall into place from there. Thanks, Rachel Anne!!
Posted by: Rachel Joy | May 05, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Beautiful verse and GORGEOUS PRINT!
Posted by: Erica | May 05, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Beautiful picture and verse.
Posted by: JennyT | May 05, 2008 at 10:44 AM
beautiful pic and verse.
Posted by: JennyT | May 05, 2008 at 10:45 AM
that is so lovely!
printing it out right now!
what's beautiful.. just started my garden last night, so pretty happy about that! :)
Posted by: amydeanne | May 05, 2008 at 11:26 AM
That is such a lovely and comforting verse...and your explanation behind it and what it means to you is something I will keep! Thank you.
Posted by: Amy | May 05, 2008 at 01:36 PM
I am finding beauty in quiet moments here and there. Yesterday I was pulling weeds and it was nice to just be outdoors. I am so thankful for signs of Spring...singing birds, budding trees. I love to just sit on my back porch swing and breath it all in while I watch my kids play. After a long winter, I welcome the beauty of the changing season.
Posted by: Melissa Holgate | May 05, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books in the bible. I love this verse!
Posted by: Dawn | May 05, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Your print is so beautiful. *wishing we had a color printer* :-)
Posted by: Hannah | May 05, 2008 at 08:19 PM
What a beautiful photo!
The beauty in my life right now? Going to my children's Spring Music Program and hearing them sing. Enjoying the fact my skin is itch free for the first time in 3 months because the medicine is working! :)
Posted by: Rebecca | May 05, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Love this one, and I love how each month's verse is so fitting for our lives! thanks!
Posted by: Nicole | May 07, 2008 at 12:15 PM
My 7 month old is just filling my day with beautiful moments. He smiles and laughs so easy.
I printed this out . . . lovely, just lovely.
Posted by: Michelle in Mx | May 08, 2008 at 10:09 AM