I visited Just Be, a small gift shop in our downtown area, on Wednesday and found this quote that I've always loved on a small card.
"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The pictures I chose to illustrate my haiku were taken in April, wonderful examples of God's handwriting. I walk and meander through life, always looking for the beautiful. I feel the blessing of beauty surrounding me and I'm grateful for it's bounty. Enjoy my illustrated haiku.
Green's invitation
Water's shimmering sparkles
His love manifest
My trip to Just Be yielded another quote that makes me think of our monthly gathering and the blessing of writing and being supported by one another.
"Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them." - Albert Schweitzer
I pray for Carol and her family as they deal with the grief of losing their husband/father/grandfather to an illness that took him so quickly. May they feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit as they grieve during this time. The words of Psalm 46:1 and Isaiah 41:10 have always provided sweet comfort to me:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
I do so love that Albert Schweitzer quote - I learn and gain so much for everyone I share this life with, even in passing. Every interaction is an opportunity for growth. Life is such a blessing.
ReplyDeleteRamona: Thank you for this lovely post, full of beautiful words and images. It reminds me of the hymn: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all thing wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. You have provided a feast of spring beauty! Blessings...
ReplyDeleteRamona: I don't know why my comments are coming up as Anonymous today... but, it's Karen Eastlund.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all this loveliness today. I was noticing lately how beautiful spring is and you captured it so well in words and pictures.
ReplyDeleteRamona, your poem and the pictures you chose to illustrate each line are beautiful. The beauty of God's world is all around us. All we have to do is open our eyes and see. Bob
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all the blossoms in today's posts. Beauty that strengthens as well as your sweet words. I sent one of the Bible quotes to my daughter's mother in law who is starting chemo today.
ReplyDeleteRamona, the illustrated haiku is glorious. I love the shimmers off the water and those white flowers in "His love manifest"--all so beautiful and such perfect illustrations of what you wrote. Thanks for sharing all the beauty in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that glorious Emerson quote, which I didn't know. I think that will stay with me. Thanks also for your wonderful haiku, images, and compassion for Carol. I know she must be finding much-needed support from her online communities after her devastating loss.
ReplyDeleteLaura, thank you for stopping by Ramona's beautiful post. I feel so blessed that I have writing friends to send me support and comfort through their words.
DeleteThank you for the gorgeous photos and the persistent hope of spring.
ReplyDeleteRamona, my heart is glad. Thank you for the quotes, haiku and illustrated blossoming.
ReplyDeleteRamona, you have provided a gentle, exhilarating walk through your locale, especially since there seems to be no time for me to take springtime walks. Your words are touching. I cannot thank you enough for your gift this morning. It has opened my day with beauty and God's presence. Many thanks, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the precious gift of your friendship, Ramona! Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteI want to go to the "Just Be" store, Ramona! Those quotes buoy the soul immeasurably. Oh, that illustrated haiku and gallery of flower photos are glorious! Your whole post shimmers and sparkles - pointing us back to the manifest love of our Creator.
ReplyDelete--from Fran
DeleteFran, I spent most of my time in the front corner of the store reading the quotes. I rarely saw one repeated and need to go back soon to read and buy more. Any time I visit, I feel a lovely ahhh! upon entering and know that my time spent there will be rejuvenating. There's also a store in Winston-Salem.
ReplyDelete