Wednesday Treasures~"Listen"

Way back in January of this year I decided upon the word "Listen" for my "One Word" for 2023. (You can click on that link if you'd like to go back and read about that.)

These were a few of the Bible verses that God brought to my attention at that time to reinforce this decision:

Isaiah 55:2

"Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance."

and

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

“This is the way, walk in it,”

Whenever you turn to the right hand

Or whenever you turn to the left."

Isaiah 30:21

and

Isaiah 43:18-19

18 "Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert."

Well, here we are more than 3/4 of the way through the year, and I must say that I have been "listening" for God's voice in so many places and areas of my life. It has been a year of "hearing" new things and perhaps hearing some old things over again that I didn't quite get the message right the first time.  Life is full of learning and re-learning, isn't it? As long as we are alive we should be listening for God's voice speaking to our hearts and showing us "the way..." so that we will "walk in it", and also so that we will know which way to turn when the road gets confusing.

Well, it may be a little late in the year, but I just found something extra special to help me in this journey of "listening" for God's voice...

You know how I love to sit in my Secret Garden and "listen" for God's Voice among the sounds of His creation...the birds that sing in the trees, the leaves rustling in the wind, the "still small voice" that whispers in my soul "Be Still, and know that I am God"  (Psalm 46:10),

Well, guess what I discovered recently?  My wonderful blogging friend Susie Klein over at her blog Walking Butterfly, not only is an accomplished author as she wrote the book "Walking Butterfly; Comfy Cocoon to Flying Free"

but she has now added to her publishing prowess several lovely little journal books for sale on Amazon.   You can read more about her new "creative venture" HERE. When I saw that she had one entitled "Listen", I heard a voice in my heart saying, "Yes, I hear You, Lord, I need that journal!"   

My journal arrived the other day, and I have been so excited to share it with you!

The cover of the journal is from Susie's own photograph...and the inside is a blank journal with lined pages.  Very simple, and yet profound. I am so proud of Susie for "listening" to God's voice prompting her to expand her creative gifts and sharing these unique journal notebooks with the world. God spoke, she listened and obeyed His voice...and I do believe that God is going to use this new venture to be a blessing not only to Susie as they are sold on Amazon and give her a little bit of income, but also they will be a blessing to others as we open our ears and hearts to God and "listen" for His voice around us and record those messages on these empty pages. May these journals become a blessing to each who use them and those who may perchance read them in the future.

These thoughts for the day are on a little devotional daily calendar that I've had for years. I noticed this one a couple of weeks ago and meant to share it then, but things got busy and it's taken me a few weeks to catch my breath and get back around to following through with my good intentions.

Oh wow! While I was sitting here trying to put this post together I heard something very special outside!

The familiar "honk honk honk" of the Canada Geese flying onto Still Waters Pond for the first time this fall!

Before they were done, there were at least a dozen of these beautiful birds paddling all around and enjoying their breakfast on the pond.

I had been watching for them because I noticed in my writings from last autumn that they had arrived around this time of year! So now the fun begins!

1 "All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
"Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2 Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heav'n along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
ye lights of ev'ning, find a voice,
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

(Pictures of the sunset over Still Waters Pond)

3 And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on Him cast your care;
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4 Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship Him in humbleness;
O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One;
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!"

Job 37:14
“Listen to this, O Job;
Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."

Amen.

So now my challenge is to use this new little "Listen" journal to write down special thoughts that the Lord gives me while I wait on Him in the Secret Garden.  I used to do that back at our last home where I started the "Secret Garden Chronicles".  You can find many of those under the tab for "secret garden" on the right side of this blog page.  The original writings go way back to earlier years.  I need to get back into that habit again, and this little journal is going to help me (please, God?)  Or maybe I don't have to be in the Secret Garden to hear God's voice.  I just need to "listen" more carefully wherever I am.  He could be speaking to me through you, or my family, or random strangers I meet in the marketplace...literally anywhere, anytime.  I just need to "listen".  

Okay, that's my challenge. What about you?  Do you have any special "challenges" on your mind today? I look forward to hearing from you.  Have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week.