How many of us have heard the familiar phrase, "Stop and Smell the Roses?" The short devotional below just does that. Shares how much we can miss some of the beauty in life that is offered through our messes, if we would just take the time once in a while and appreciate our surroundings.
I have always been sensative to my surroundings, and have always taken in God's nature no matter how depressed, angry, irrational and especially feeling hopeless I may be. It is instilled in my soul, and for that I am very thankful for to be able to even notice creation through my pain even if it is just for a moment.
So, when I read this, I wanted to share a little of the peace we could experience daily, how ever brief:
Stop! Smell the Roses!
Ecclesiastes 11:8: “How many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.”
“I’m going now,” said my secretary. “Thank you for everything.”
“All the best to you in your new career,” I said. As she walked out the door, she handed me an envelope. Once back in my office, I opened it. Inside was a bon voyage card with the following hand-written message: “Joan, I hope someday you can stop and smell the roses.”
Today as I work in my home office a lovely lily plant sits on my desk. The fragrance fills the room. And I am enjoying it as I write. Back then I was so busy, so rushed, so preoccupied, so driven. Now, I am less obsessed. I did stop to smell the flowers. And I’m grateful.
The wisest man in the world once said, “Enjoy every day of your life.” We can learn to stop racing through our tomorrows and start relishing our todays.
Lord, I don’t know how long I will live.
May I enjoy each day that is mine — now.
Copyright 2009 Joan C. Webb
thank you for sharing, hunny!
ReplyDeleteJBR, you arent in bed yet? And for me it is close to lunch time. I love this "stop & smell the roses" - makes clear how important our serenity should be to us. There are many things right now I do neglect however nature is my treasure (heya, I am pagan, right)and I always will find consolation there. I am so glad that I have found you and allowed to share your journey with you. Since I visited your page first to NOW NOW you have progressed immensly. HUGS
ReplyDeleteNot sure if that is of interest to you. Found it on a blog and want to read more about it. However I have forgottenw hich blog it was. I am sorry.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thework.com/index.asp
Wonderful reminder. You can miss your life with thoughts of yesterday and tomorrow. On my way home from work last week, I saw a large flock of birds, white ones with long necks, sitting in trees. And I thought to myself that I'd come quite far. A few years back, I wouldn't have seen them. God is good.
ReplyDeleteShadow, my pleasure to share. Thank you for commenting!
ReplyDeletePaula, appreciate your comment, and thank you for the link. Ya know girl, I am an early riser. As much as I would like to sleep in, I have always conditioned myself to get up early. Hate it some times, as I really do want to sleep more many times. Must admit, the three days I was off last week, I believe one day I actually slept an hour longer. Not much, but for me I chose to!
Madison, thank you for sharing your "smelling of the roses" with the birds. Yes, shows you how much you have progressed and that God is always around us.
So very true. Gods beauty is all around us, and you my friend, are part of His beauty. Blessings to you today.
ReplyDeleteDon't have roses, but have a gardina bush outside which is a constant reminder of Gods beauty in scent. Good post.
ReplyDeleteIt’s certainly hard to deny god’s beauty all around us. When we’re at our lowest, his light can still shine and penetrate our heart. God Bless
ReplyDeleteWhen you are tempted to deny
God’s goodness, love, and grace,
Look to the cross of Calvary,
Where Jesus took your place. —Sper
Beatiful post JBR! I think I will go out and smell the roses today also.
ReplyDeleteThank you all once again for your lovely comments. Appreciate it emmensely!
ReplyDelete"Stop and enjoy it all"....this says it all. I continue to look for the good..actually the great especially when I am down or things are not going well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with me, today!
Blessings and prayers, andrea
Just like that great pic that you posted. If I didn't choose to come by here, I would have missed a great post! So true JBR! Everything is a rush but we can really find that time to slow down, first by seeking our God first Who is God of order. The rest falls into its places...Sooo glad I stopped here today and "smelled" these roses!!! God bless.
ReplyDeleteThat's always been one of my biggest problems. I've been unable to fully appreciate the day due to worrying about tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it is so encouraging to see you write about how you always were blessed with that ability to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation around you. God shows us himself in His wonderfully made creation.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, today!
♥Hope
Andrea, what an encouragment of "looking for the great."
ReplyDeleteRcubes thank you for your comment. I am so glad that you are touched. I too need to smell those roses, especially on Tuesday's which is the busiest craziest day for me at work and I am tempted many a time to plainly forget.
AD, I hope you will find time to stop and smell those roses.
Hope, you are so right. God is so much around us. He created this beauty for us, for a purpose. I know it can be hard to breathe that in for many, but if just for a split second, that is a start.
♥
It is important to pay attention to nature. Part of the joy I get in my day is due to paying attention to the trees, flowers, and other bits of nature that surround me. You reminded me that it isn't just sight, but smell and hearing as well! Take care!
ReplyDeleteTruly a beautiful post! I commented once to my hubby that God has beautifully painted all the letters of the alphabet on the wings of a butterfly and he doubted. When I showed him pictures, it was obvious that the letters were there but we fail to look close enough to see. We wave it off like nothing big but God loves to work in details!
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs ~ Kat
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
ReplyDeleteI never really did this until the last couple of years. It seemed every couple of weeks we were dealing with a new crisis and this want went on for about 2 years. Then one day, recently, I got up and said to myself, NO ONE person controls my life or how I live it. No one person will make me feel badly for what I decide to do for, to and with myself in mind.
ReplyDeleteOnly then did I realize how precious MY life is and how short MY time is on earth. If i'm not happy, no one around me will be either. I have to have time to myself to recognize the little things every day or i'm unsettled all day long.
Lovely post.
What a treat JBR. To take time to observe Gods creation.
ReplyDeleteOh! I wish I could do this more often! I am getting much better about slowing down and enjoying things day by day, but when I get really stressed out I want time to fly by so I can get to a slower moment in time. Thank you for the reminder that there are roses, as well as Gods other creations to enjoy out there.
ReplyDeleteHi JBR,
ReplyDeleteJust checking on you. Sending (((HUGS))) to you. :)
Meditation is good. Even if its smelling the roses.
ReplyDeletehttp://hopetocope.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you know her. I find her blog very informative and inspiring. Maybe u like to chekc her out. Hope u had a great day. Thinking of you.
JBR since I've retired I am enjoying nature so much. Watching the hummingbirds, looking at flowers and more. Such peace...
ReplyDeleteHope you are well!
I'm totally enjoying, stopping and being much more aware of my surroundings. That includes who God has placed in my path as well.
ReplyDeleteLovingly,
Yolanda