Sigh… what a wonderful time of year we are in, don’t you think? It is my favorite time of year. The busyness of summer has past. All the summer running around activities are finished. We still have time before we need to start thinking about our Christmas plans.
We have a wonderful opportunity before us if we only choose it.
We have the opportunity to take a deep breath.
To slow.
For quiet.
When we are in the midst of this noisy, busy world, He can get drowned out. We may not intend for this to happen, but it does. We think we can make the time… eventually… but sometimes we don’t.
It has to be a conscious decision. We need to make a decision to step away from the busyness and choose to see something special. Even in everyday ordinary moments… choose to see something special. His wonders are all around us. He has placed them everywhere just for us.
To lift our spirit.
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
To know His love.
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
To give us hope.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
To help us feel at ease.
The LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore. Psalm 125:2
To make us want to know Him more.
Come near to God and He will come near to you. James 4:8
It is all a gift.
I pause in awe, giving Him my full attention. I am completely present and choose to feel true gratitude.
With a heart full of thanksgiving I receive His wonders.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Have you taken the opportunity to step away from the busyness and be completely present in His wonders? How did it lift your spirit?
By Jennifer, StudioJRU
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Whenever I take time to stop and give thanks, especially in the hardest moments, my soul is refreshed, my mind is renewed, and I feel like I’m starting over even in the middle of the day.
It is soul refreshing! Love that Emily!
I brought my journal to work with me today because I have been stuck in a negative rut. I decided yesterday to act myself out of it by finding the small moments of gratitude. I am a teacher, and there can be frustrating moments here at work that I allow to drag me into negativity. However, I have already found (in just 1 hour of work), that there are so many things I can write in my journal as gratitude to the Lord. This has put a smile on my face, and I am able to share my joy with my students. Thank You, Lord, for today is good! Thank You for friends who (in)courage me!
That is such a great thing to do Melissa! How wonderful to use that gratitude to bring you from a negative rut. Works every time!
My spirit has been fed.
So happy to hear that Mitzi!
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you!
Thank you Linda!
I needed to read this today! Thank you for sharing your heart. ~ Grace
You are more than welcome Grace. Thank you.
I needed to hear that today! Great message, thank you for sharing what the Lord put on your heart. It truly is amazing the difference it makes when I do make a choice to step away and really soak in the blessings of the moment. I do feel refreshed and strengthened.
Yes… soaking in those amazing blessings sure does make all the difference! Thank you Jacqueline!
Choosing today…….
thankfulness, rest, peace, grace……
Beautiful Anna.
This ministered to me so much!
I am so grateful to hear that Charise. Thank you.
Beautiful writing to match those gorgeous pictures. I love that shot of the cardinal!
Thank you Amy! He is our regular visitor at our house. He is always at that same window!
I try to find that place daily…sometimes it just doesn’t happen…but as I sit and meditate upon Him and the Word, I am lifted.
Today I was reading about Christ Jesus during His final hours…realizing afresh the sacrifice He made for me. Then later, as I was working on editing a sermon, I edit messages, the preacher shared that we often focus on the sacrifice of Christ, but forget the greater sacrifice of God. He asked how many of us as parents would rather suffer, be sick or ill, instead of seeing our children in that place? It made me think! It’s true! God did suffer too…in allowing His Only Son to die for us. He does speak, when we take the time to listen.
God bless your day!
That is such a wonderful message and reminder. He does speak when we listen. Thank you for sharing that Anita!
It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. It is so refreshing to stop, take a deep breath and take in all of the little blessings that God sends us each day. Today I will choose to rest in Him and be thankful!
It is refreshing! Love that you are choosing to rest in Him today Brittnie!
I need this reminder today. To choose to stop, to slow down and breathe Him in!
Breathe Him in… love that Barbie!
I thought of this just this week–how *right now* takes me by the arm and invites me to sit awhile and notice. I’m so glad for the wide open white space on my calendar this month and it is my daily breath prayers that each moment is deliberate and purposeful, slowed and savored.
Yes. It really is the right now that matters most! Wide open white space on your calendar sounds wonderful Amy!
Thanks Jennifer, I copied and printed up those Bible verses and now they are taped up by my computer. I will remember to step back…stop to reflect and be thankful always for these amazing gifts no matter what happens. God Bless and Keep You!
That is so wonderful DeAnn! Thank you for sharing that!
taking the time to just be during this crazy time is the best gift I can give myself this season. It’s one reason why today, I am putting up my holiday tree. I have the time, the next few weeks are gonna be hectic.. and I so love a day playing holiday music and decorating. I do this for me.
Taking the time to just be. What a special gift to give yourself! I hope you had a wonderful day of decorating!
Sweet reminder. I posted today about praying for people I love while I peeled potatoes. It’s funny how (HELPFUL) it was for my soul — preparing dinner became.
That is such a great way to spend the time of peeling potatoes. I love that Wanda!
The photo of the cardinal is breathtakingly beautiful!
Thanks for sharing such peaceful encouragement.
~Scarlett
Oh thank you so much Scarlett. He is the friendly visitor at our house! He loves being right there by the window!
I have been battling with this very thing – trying to escape the busyness. To create more margin in my life so that I have the space to be still, to rest, and to seize spur of the moment opportunities (to serve or to invest in relationships). My 2 more recent blog posts talk about the need to “get less busy” and to create more time in our lives to invest in people/relationships. http://kabarnes.wordpress.com
This is a great message that we all need to be reminded of constantly I think. Thank you for the breath of fresh air!
Yes, trying to escape the busyness. It can be so difficult, yet it is so important for our hearts! Thank you Karen.
Wow, Jennifer! Your pictures are gorgeous…as are your words. =) Beautiful post!
Thank you so much Jamie!
My gratitude today is for your post today. The verses you’ve shared here are the uplifting I need. I’m feeling like I’m in a deep hole and I’ve been struggling for years to get out. I keep hoping and one day it will happen. Thank you for your words today.
I hope you continue to find the uplifting you seek through His love and His words! Praying for you today.
Perfect timing with perfect. Words… thank you.
So glad to hear that Jenn. Thank you.
I usually keep life busier than I need it to be, but lately I’ve been enjoying more quiet days. They’re so much better, because I’m able to spend more time with the Lord. It is SO refreshing, and I feel more at peace.
It really does bring a sense of peace, doesn’t it Amy. That is such valuable time!
thank you for this! things are really busy for me right now and i’m needing to make that decision to enjoy the busyness but also take the time to just…stop. as much as i tend to rush, rush, rush, i need to glean strength from that place of rest as well.
I hear you Amber. I tend to rush too. But you are right, there is strength in the place of rest!
such a beautiful blog!
So happy to have you join us here Diane!
Beautiful photos and an important message, Jenn. Great post. 🙂
Thank you Nancy!
Oh, how I needed this today, Jennifer! Thank you. blessings ~ tanna
So happy to hear that Tanna! Thank you.
Tis the season for Thanksgiving, eucharisteo. This post was an opportunity for me to enter into worship, into a life of Thanksgiving, not merely a tradition. Blessings to you as you soak yourself in waterfalls of grace this season!
“Soak yourself in waterfalls of grace”… oh I love that Heidi. Such beautiful words. Thank you so much for sharing that!
You are so right! Sometimes we must just “Be Still and know that He is God.” When we allow our hearts to listen amidst the busyness of our lives, God is able to make the ordinary extraordinary!
Exactly right Jessica. That was in my heart while writing this post… be still and know. Such a peaceful thought!
I do love this time of year in NE. The light is incredible.
It sure is Deidra, it sure is!
This is so timely as life has felt so busy in the last few weeks. My stepping away during the busyness has come on daily walks. It’s amazing how quickly that busy pace can suck you in like a vacuum. I feel like I have to peel myself away, it’s a discipline, to step away and find that time with Him. I love that sunset photo, by the way!
It is a discipline, isn’t it Jen? What a great way to step away for the busyness by taking a daily walk. Love that!
Beautiful pictures…the other day my husband and I took a four hour drive and it was so clear and crisp, colors so vivid….warm sun, warm wind…made my heart warm at the beauty God has for us in each season.
We lived for years overseas where there was only dry and wet season and God had to help this Kentucky girl find the beauty in the two seasons.
thanks for the great post and your pictures were as vivid as the view out my door way.
That sounds just wonderful Betty! It does warm the heart to soak in all that beauty. I love that you said He had to help you find that beauty while living overseas!
oh so pretty. Thanks. November should be the perfect month for just resting. I am trying to learn how to slow down. Crazy that society has made it hard to do 🙂
That is so true Lorilee… society really has made it hard to just slow down. It really is something that takes work!
Your words bless me, Jennifer. Thank *you* for laying His words out here…they fill like nothing else can. Love you!
Thank you.
Thank you for such a wonderful reminder–such blessing there is in feeling God’s presence within Creation and the accompanying hope and love–how good to be able to rest in that!