Such a small creature, a tiny little thing had been my daughter-in-law’s constant companion while she toiled at unyielding, winter-hard ground. Pausing from her labours, she would smile to see him perched close by, before attending to her garden again with renewed gusto.
As spring segues into summer, days lengthen and myriad feathered friends come to the bird feeder, this faithful little robin is still present, hopping to and fro with an inner felicity born of knowing its place in the scheme of things.
He doesn’t seek attention or strive for prominence. He’s just happily going about his own sweet thing: gathering, gleaning, feeding, singing and celebrating life.
I wonder if we are so easily pleased with small, if we can celebrate seasons where God calls us to be still, to be small, labouring behind the scenes on our own (often challenging) plot—the fertile garden of the soul, where few know we are secretly tending God-sized dreams within our hearts?
Maybe we long for significance, ache to be seen, to have worth and value in the eyes of others, for our voice to be heard. Or we could be prayerfully cultivating things only God sees and knows about, while He works within our stilled, surrendered soul.
As I watched the robin at play in the warmth of sun’s rays, I saw his shadow extending beyond his petite frame. It loomed larger than he was. Likewise, as we seek to serve God and potter faithfully through our days, we are casting a holy shadow larger than ourselves, as He shines in and through us.
Our lives may feel small, insignificant, our work endless and unrewarding, but if we were given eyes to see how God sees things, what then? …
To read the rest of this post, please follow me over to the ACW, ‘More Than Writers’ blog where I am sharing my words today. Just click here to join me there. Thank you! 🙂
What a precious gift God gave your daughter-in-law, Joy. And you, too. I love the photos and all these beautiful thoughts. Thank you for encouraging me again today. This thought especially brings hope to my heart – “The more we live in the Light of God’s presence, content to stay small so He can be large in our lives, the greater Holy Spirit shadow we will cast to bathe a hurting world in God’s mercy, grace and love, His tender, healing touch.” Love and hugs to you!
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I know, Trudy, it was a delightful gift to her when she tired of her labours. When they moved in a couple of years ago the garden had been seriously neglected by the previous owners and still requires a lot of work to keep it in shape, never mind altering anything. But she absolutely loves it and we do, too, whenever we visit them. I’m so glad you found a thought here to bring hope to your heart, and I knew the robin images would appeal to you! Love and hugs to you, dear friend. xo ❤
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Dear Joy,
I always love reading the words you share at different sites, so I’m headed over there now. Thanks for giving us the link here!
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Dear Bettie, how kind of you to take such pleasure in the words God gives me. I appreciate your willingness to pop over and read the rest of the post. See you over there, sweet friend… 🙂 xo
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I love this, Joy. For so many reasons. Thank you.
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I love that you love this one, June! God knows the words we need to write and share and what will bless others in reading them. Thank you for being such a sweet encourager. Have a blessed weekend, dear friend! xo
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“Our lives may feel small, insignificant, our work endless and unrewarding, but if we were given eyes to see how God sees things, what then? …” Yes, just think of the possibilities if we could see as God does. We would know that our work is not insignificant. We never know who all is watching or reading our words, but God does. I went on the read the rest of the article and as always I am encouraged by your writing, dear Joy.
Blessings and hugs to you my sweet friend! xoxo
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Gayl, thank you so much for reading the full article and letting me know what has spoken to you. I’m glad these words have encouraged you. Sorry for the belated reply. It’s been a tough few days health-wise and I’ve needed to pull back and rest a bit more than usual. Thank you for being here and for your patience. Blessings, love and hugs to you, sweet friend! xoxo
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