"...Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."
Job 37:14
As I stood by my kitchen sink washing up the morning dishes, my eyes were directed to this beautiful little mug sitting on the windowsill. I ordered this mug for myself some time ago because I loved the scene on it so much...a log cabin sitting alongside a pond, with a little log cabin bird house in the foreground with a chickadee perched atop. Wildflowers dance next to the pine boughs...and it is such a peaceful, tranquil scene I just would love to walk right into it and go sit on that cabin porch beside the pond and rock and enjoy the serenity.
Since my "One Word" for 2017 is REST, this mug should be designated as my mascot for the year! And please note the verse, taken from the book of Job 37:14, is where Elihu, one of Job's "friends" is exhorting Job to "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." I feel as though God is also reminding me of this in His mandate to "REST". Even as I stand at my kitchen sink and look out the window, I can't help but be reminded to "Stand Still and Consider the wondrous works of God" as I enjoy watching the birds, bees, butterflies hummingbirds, and even sometimes bears and foxes passing by. And even when I can't see outside the window because the windows are so steamed up with condensation due to the very cold temperatures outside and the warmth within, (like today on this wintry day in Florida), I am still reminded of God's wondrous works...
Here are just a few of the reminders on my windowsills...
This potted plant is an Amaryllis bulb, just starting to burst forth with a new cluster of lovely red blossoms (actually this one will be red with white mixed in...still a beauty)....I absolutely LOVE to watch these plants grow almost visibly before my eyes...every day you can see new growth...and it reminds me of a new baby Christian...growing up straight and tall and beautiful as he feeds on the nourishment of God's Word and is watered daily by the grace of God, and soon blossoming with joy and beauty for the glory of God.
This little picture above reminds me to never lose hope, even when doors seem to shut in my face...because God always opens a window of new opportunity and blessing if we just trust Him and be patient....it is also the message that is the inspiration for this blog!
And who could not be blessed and encouraged to be patient by this beautiful stained glass window ornament above...with a portion of one of my all time favorite verses:
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings as the eagle.
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint"
Isaiah 40:31
Then there is this little mug, with another chickadee on it! (I do love chickadees...but I love ALL birds really)...And it reminds me to:
"Let Heaven and nature sing!"
Which is the theme of my whole kitchen window!!!
And last but not least is this little candle holder, with the message:
"A Heart that seeks God finds Him."
So, even when I am unable to go outside and sit in "My Secret Garden", (like today...when it appears to be so sunny and beautiful, but is really quite chilly and too breezy)
or when there is no time to truly "rest" from my labors...I can still be reminded to seek God even while doing the mundane chore of washing dishes or preparing our meals. I can stand at my window and "consider the wondrous works of God", while I "Let Heaven and Nature Sing" ...and am sometimes even known to sing along with songs of praise and worship while scrubbing and chopping and rinsing and drying...Just like the birds...they sing praises to their Creator as they gather their food for their families and bathe in the water provided...
So, no matter where we are, or what we are doing...let us be reminded to look around...up at the skies or stars, out at the trees blowing in the wind, or the snow that is falling gently to the ground...
and let us:
"Stand Still and Consider
the Wondrous Works
of God!"
