Sunday, January 1, 2017

Joy in little things

Good evening Friends ~ I hope you all survived seeing in the New Year. I was in bed around 9, lots of fireworks woke me up around midnight. I am thankful for this new year and thank God for this first day of it.

Yesterday I washed a load of laundry and while hanging the laundry out to dry, I noticed a bit of ‘shell rock’ in what looked like to me, the shape of a heart. I bent down and picked it up and yes, it was a heart shape. I slipped it into my pocket and continued hanging out the laundry.

I forgot about the rock until I felt it in my pocket later. I took it out and put it on the lamp base of lamp I just moved from my ‘creative space’ to the living room. This morning I decided to take a picture of it because it was a gift to me from my heavenly Father, and I was just so happy with it. He knows my love of hearts, He also knows my dear husband would bring them to me when he found them. Well, as I was taking the picture, I noticed something that I could hardly believe. I raced, all of 6 feet from the living room to my creative space, sat in my chair, pulled up my art program, downloaded the photo and my own personal heart/seat of emotions, just became overflowing with love and thanksgiving.

01-01-shellrock-heart

There in this shell rock heart is a stylized ‘M’, (at least that’s how it jumps out at me),

which is the first initial of my dear husband’s first name.

01-01-shellrock-heart-2

I find this little ‘heart gem’ on the last day of 2016,

and see my dear husband’s initial in it on the first day of 2017.

God showed His great love for me in this small piece of fossilized earth, part of His creation that is ancient. To others it wouldn’t even look like a heart, just a rock on the ground. If you start looking for hearts, if you are into them, you will find some. It’s a great way to start a ‘free’ collection from the creator of the universe, be it rocks, leaves, pieces of wood, etc.

***

This morning one of my lady church family friends gave me the little devotional by Sarah Young, “Jesus Always”. In today’s reading was this:

“Search for signs of My loving Presence as you journey along the path of Life. Look for the little pleasures I have strewn alongside your pathway – sometimes in surprising places – and thank Me for each one. Your thankfulness will keep you close to Me and help you find Joy in your journey.”

Wow, I certainly felt this was meant just for me today.

***

I was given the book “Jesus Calling” on Valentine’s Day 2013, 2 months after my dear husband left this planet to be with God, by a sweet friend. For my birthday in March of 2015, I was given the book “Jesus Today” by another sweet friend. Today I was blessed with this latest book by Sarah Young, “Jesus Always” by a new sweet friend. These books are written based on scripture, but written as if Jesus Himself is talking to you. Scripture references are included at the bottom of each day’s reading. I recommend any and all of these to those searching for a closer relationship with our God, the Great Creator and Savior of the world, Jesus.

What a wonderful way to start this new year for me. May you all feel God’s love surrounding you and drawing you to Him.

Have a fantastic 1st week of this new year. Be thankful. All won’t be a bed of roses, we weren’t promised that, but we are promised that God will be with us through every step of our journey in this life.

Love, hugs & prayers to all of you ~ FlowerLady

24 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

The chorus,God is so good, just came to mind as I read this post.He cares about all the little details of our lives.May your year be filled with special moments given by God.

Jane said...

It does indeed look like an M, Rainey! How sweet. As always, your wonderful attitude is inspiring. I hope this new year will bring you much joy!
Hugs
Jane

Rebecca said...

What a wonderful way to start the new year for you. I actually DO have a small collection of heart-shaped rocks. I haven't found a lot of them recently. What beautiful "signs" and connections you've made this year. I hope to have a few minutes tomorrow to catch up with myself. We've had a few busy days lately and I would have liked to have done a little more "contemplating" prior to the official beginning of 2017.

Dewena said...

What an amazing and precious thing to have found, Lorraine. I am so happy that your heart was blessed this way. I felt God's love through your words here, a wonderful reminder to keep our eyes and heart open. Thank you for the devotion book leads too!

Love to you,
Dewena

Connie in Hartwood said...

It's a heart and an initial for sure ... what a wonder!!

Happy New Year!

September Violets said...

What a beautiful treasure was given to you in this tiny heart stone! I have to agree with you that the M is very clear. Thank you for the names of the books you have enjoyed, I'll have to look them up. Looks like your New Year is off to a good start!
Wendy

Debbie Harris said...

Wow! I stand amazed at the goodness of our Great God!
That is certainly in the shape of a heart and the initial M is certainly vivid.
God in His goodness looks after us and cares for us even in small details.

Beautiful post♡

BeachGypsy said...

This is a lovely post and I definetly see the "M" as well. Very special to find little things like this that mean so much! Happy happy new year to you my friend, may it be full of blessings!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I love that you recognized the stone as a "gift". There are so many gifts that strengthen your faith if you just open your heart.
xx, Carol

Stacey said...

This is such a sweet reminder, Lorraine that the signs of his love are everywhere!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

What a sweet find. Happy New Year!

Celestina Marie said...

Happy New Year Lorraine, Finding the heart sure is special and a reminder that God's love is always where we are!! xo

outlawgardener said...

Thank you for sharing this everyday miracle. They're everywhere for those who have eyes to see. Love is all around. Happy New Year!

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

It looks like a Q to me.

Junkchiccottage said...

What a beautiful gift to receive as you enter into the new year. Such a blessing. So happy that your heart felt such happiness in finding this treasure in your path. So touching.
xoxo
Kris

Pam's English Garden said...

Your sweet, precious shell definitely has an M on it. Thank you for sharing the special 'gift' you received. It shows that happiness lies in life's small blessings. P. x

Susan said...

That is a wonderful way to start your new year. You must be very comforted by the discovery and the message that you are loved and never alone. Wishing you all the best in 2017!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

As you were recounting about finding the heart and then seeing the 'M' it reminded me of one of the Chicken Soup series books where other people either saw or found things that could only have been left by God and a remembrance of a loved one.
Such a blessing to start the new year. Best wishes for 2017.

Jessica Jarrell said...

I'm catching up reading on your blog FlowerLady, and I happened to read this post first and I just had to respond. That rock you found is gorgeous and amazing. It truly does like like an M in there. I would be holding on and cherishing that rock too. What a wonderful sign. He truly is watching over you.

Best wishes for 2017 Flowerlady, and I hope you had a lovely holiday season ❤️

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

As soon as I started reading this, when you found the rock, I remembered that your husband found these for you and I KNEW there was going to be a 'story'. What a beautiful one and precious start to the New Year :)

Kim said...

I see the heart and the M...what a wonderful treasure and a lovely way to start the new year. Enjoy your sweet and sentimental find! :)

My Journey To Mindfulness said...

The quote
is so meaningful to me also :)
Have found a few heart shaped rocks
and they always make me smile.
Take care and thank you always for your special words to me..

A Joyful Cottage said...

What a lovely post, Rainey. It clearly is a heart with an "M". You have an open, loving heart, my friend, who recognizes and appreciates the gifts God gives. And you glorify Him in the sharing of your "find". God bless you.

M.K. said...

What a sweet thing to find! I'm so glad it brought you joy and comfort. When you are alone, it's so comforting and such a relief to know that God is really right there with you, thinking of you, bringing you little pieces of reassurance :)