CAROL'S CORNER
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Seeing - Carol Ann Ossenfort
John 20:29 “Then Jesus said to him
(Thomas), ‘Because you have seen me,
you believed; blessed are those who have
not seen and yet believed.’”
I sit in the garden on mornings like this,
bright and clear—my favorite time of the
day—wishing I were a really early riser—
maybe around 5:30 or so. And probably I
would be, were I a better sleeper. So
usually it’s 8:30 or 9:00, when with tea or
coffee in hand, I sit or walk around the
garden, now and then stopping to pull a
few straggly weeds – never seeming to
stay on top of that chore. It brings to
mind how very profilic the weeds—the
unwanted growth—are, as opposed to the
lovely and colorful flowers that often lag
way behind in number and strength. Why
is that, I wonder? What makes those
pesky weeds so arrogant? Which makes
me think, what makes our own personal
“weeds,” our unwanted flaws, come
through with such force at times, and take
over our more giving, loving selves? And
what makes us see them, focus on them,
instead of the loveliness of the flowers that
are there. (We do that which we don’t
want to do, and leave undone those things
which we would do.”)
So I sit here and ponder, in the serene quiet
of morning, with only the gentle sound of
water falling from a small garden fountain,
and the sweet call of the birds. “Listen; be
still and know that I am God,” is what I
hear. Then, looking up to the treetops,
with the angle of the sun just right at this
early part of the day, I see a tiny yellow
and black finch. How beautiful! Yet I
know that later in the afternoon, in the
shadows, with the leaves seemingly
denser, my eyes would have missed the
color and movement of that beautiful little
bird, so high up.
The splendor of God’s creation is all
around us; there even when our eyes are
clouded by shadows, distractions, worries,
unworthy thoughts, or lack of
understanding.
Lord, help us to see the beauty of your
creation that we are so fortunate to be
surrounded by every day: the flowers,
trees, exquisite birds and precious animals,
and all the wonders of nature that you have
given to us. So, too, let us see the beauty
in each other rather than seeing one
another’s faults. Most of all, dear Father,
keep our eyes, minds and thoughts fixed
firmly on You and the good that you bring
about, especially when we’re tempted to
look only at the negative. Help us to focus
on what we have in true riches, rather than
what we think we want or need, for the
gifts are all there, whether we see them or
not. Amen
John 20:29 “Then Jesus said to him
(Thomas), ‘Because you have seen me,
you believed; blessed are those who have
not seen and yet believed.’”
I sit in the garden on mornings like this,
bright and clear—my favorite time of the
day—wishing I were a really early riser—
maybe around 5:30 or so. And probably I
would be, were I a better sleeper. So
usually it’s 8:30 or 9:00, when with tea or
coffee in hand, I sit or walk around the
garden, now and then stopping to pull a
few straggly weeds – never seeming to
stay on top of that chore. It brings to
mind how very profilic the weeds—the
unwanted growth—are, as opposed to the
lovely and colorful flowers that often lag
way behind in number and strength. Why
is that, I wonder? What makes those
pesky weeds so arrogant? Which makes
me think, what makes our own personal
“weeds,” our unwanted flaws, come
through with such force at times, and take
over our more giving, loving selves? And
what makes us see them, focus on them,
instead of the loveliness of the flowers that
are there. (We do that which we don’t
want to do, and leave undone those things
which we would do.”)
So I sit here and ponder, in the serene quiet
of morning, with only the gentle sound of
water falling from a small garden fountain,
and the sweet call of the birds. “Listen; be
still and know that I am God,” is what I
hear. Then, looking up to the treetops,
with the angle of the sun just right at this
early part of the day, I see a tiny yellow
and black finch. How beautiful! Yet I
know that later in the afternoon, in the
shadows, with the leaves seemingly
denser, my eyes would have missed the
color and movement of that beautiful little
bird, so high up.
The splendor of God’s creation is all
around us; there even when our eyes are
clouded by shadows, distractions, worries,
unworthy thoughts, or lack of
understanding.
Lord, help us to see the beauty of your
creation that we are so fortunate to be
surrounded by every day: the flowers,
trees, exquisite birds and precious animals,
and all the wonders of nature that you have
given to us. So, too, let us see the beauty
in each other rather than seeing one
another’s faults. Most of all, dear Father,
keep our eyes, minds and thoughts fixed
firmly on You and the good that you bring
about, especially when we’re tempted to
look only at the negative. Help us to focus
on what we have in true riches, rather than
what we think we want or need, for the
gifts are all there, whether we see them or
not. Amen
Oh, Blessed Morning - Carol Ann Ossenfort
Psalm 30:5 “…but joy comes with the
morning.”
Thank you, Jesus, for the stillness of the
morning; for the fresh morning air. Its
fragrance is sweet and clean, for you have
walked through its gardens and tarried along
its paths, bringing your purity and cleansing
to what has been left by mankind in the
night.
The birds and I rejoice anew, in heart and in
song, to honor You, our Creator, and to call
others to Your morning courts of praise.
How good it is to be with You, before the
hurried stirrings of the day that stretches
before me. As I breathe in Your Holy
Presence, I am filled with Your peace and
love, prepared to make my way along the
path of the day, wherever it may lead me, for
I know You go before me as my Shepherd,
protector, Savior and friend.
But jealously I linger here in the morning
hours, when it is just You and me together,
for I wish to know You in greater depth; to
better learn Your ways; to hear and
understand the Wisdom of Your Holy Word.
Let me feel the coolness of Your cleansing
Living Waters wash over me yet once more.
Oh, blessed morning; Oh, blessed Savior.
Do not leave me ever.
Lamentations 3:23 “The steadfast love of the
Lord never ceases, His mercies never come
to an end; they are new every morning; great
is Your faithfulness.”
Psalm 30:5 “…but joy comes with the
morning.”
Thank you, Jesus, for the stillness of the
morning; for the fresh morning air. Its
fragrance is sweet and clean, for you have
walked through its gardens and tarried along
its paths, bringing your purity and cleansing
to what has been left by mankind in the
night.
The birds and I rejoice anew, in heart and in
song, to honor You, our Creator, and to call
others to Your morning courts of praise.
How good it is to be with You, before the
hurried stirrings of the day that stretches
before me. As I breathe in Your Holy
Presence, I am filled with Your peace and
love, prepared to make my way along the
path of the day, wherever it may lead me, for
I know You go before me as my Shepherd,
protector, Savior and friend.
But jealously I linger here in the morning
hours, when it is just You and me together,
for I wish to know You in greater depth; to
better learn Your ways; to hear and
understand the Wisdom of Your Holy Word.
Let me feel the coolness of Your cleansing
Living Waters wash over me yet once more.
Oh, blessed morning; Oh, blessed Savior.
Do not leave me ever.
Lamentations 3:23 “The steadfast love of the
Lord never ceases, His mercies never come
to an end; they are new every morning; great
is Your faithfulness.”
Do you have an article that you have written? Would you like to share a poem or
prayer? Please submit any proposals to the following email address for
consideration.
tija@tri-uneministries.com
prayer? Please submit any proposals to the following email address for
consideration.
tija@tri-uneministries.com