Wildflower Whimsy

Hellooo! Another week! Goodness, they come by so fast! A reminder for me to really soak in the now moments. Before you know it – poof! They’re gone. Also a reminder to shake off the weights and run light. . . anything weighing you down lately? Put the thing down and put on some whimsy music (and don’t forget tea – preferably with honey!) and let your soul soak up some whimsy and feel a bit lighter. A gift from you to you. You’re welcome.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, – Hebrews 12:1

I had a couple of synchronicities happen this week. Those lightbulb ‘WOW’ moments. And I’ve been letting them settle in my mind as to how to apply this practically day to day. Make yourself a cuppa, settle in and see if you can follow my rambley rabbit trails!…

It started while reading Sally Clarkson’s book ‘The Life Giving Table’ as part of a book club. One of the recent chapters I read had a quote in it that I loved so much I wrote down to share with you all this Monday. The quote was this:

We all know that storms will come, so we ought to bring umbrellas.’ – Unknown

Sally was writing this in the context of the home. We know that life storms will come, so she shares we need to prepare for them. Specifically by creating little life rhythms to civilise and recharge such as an afternoon tea time (yes please!), and having easy food items always at the ready and prepped for stressful and spontaneous moments, days and seasons. I loved this and have been thinking lots about it. How can I be more prepared for life storms? What would make it easier for me to serve my family well? To set a pretty table? To create an oasis? And not just for these spaces, but in all of our life areas. What ways can I be more intentional and prepared? Great questions to ponder.

I love to do my best to read in the morning and pray. Sometimes it’s noisy, sometimes it’s postponed to the first break in the day, but it’s like a morning coffee for me. I need it first. A big drink from the well that doesn’t run dry. While I was reading through Psalm 57 on one of the mornings this past week – verse 1 jumped out – it was a wow moment.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, TILL THE STORMS OF DESTRUCTION PASS BY.” Psalm 57:1

The storms of destruction . . . and the fact that God HAS WINGS! Was amazing for me. HE IS MY UMBRELLA. And I get to hide under the shadow of His wings until the storm passes by. This was what I was pondering from Sally’s book – but on a much deeper scale. Preparedness for life storms. Yes. But also- I need an Umbrella!

There are so many storms in life. Would you agree? External, world, community, family, spouse, children, our own mind, our own soul. Whirling, turbulent, gloomy, chaotic storms.

From the very beginning, when the world was chaos. Darkness. Chaotic. God steps in. He brings the Light. He brings the Calm. He brings Order. He brings Peace. He puts out His wings and shelters like an umbrella from the destructive storms. We can look around us at the storm that’s passing over, but remain completely safe and completely dry.

There is no other umbrella that we need more than Him.

Friday just gone left me in this dark soul chaos. Old habits. Numbing ones. Chasing the world ones. Carnal, human ones were at the forefront. I felt distant from God. Cut off. Naked. I wanted to hide. To go anywhere but the presence of Jesus. In the past, my first point of call would be to numb out. Scroll. Live in the emptiness of mind, heart, and soul and numb the broken feelings. But this time, I felt prompted to lean in. And all I wanted to do was curl up in the arms of Jesus and feel His love.

At the first opportunity which happened to be later that evening, I grabbed a big, soft, cozy blanket and turned off all of the lights and made my way to our trampoline outside in the dark. We live in the country with no city lights nearby, and the stars really take center stage at nighttime – when I take the time to see. It was out there, in the dark and quiet, that time and space were lost to me. Tears trickled down my face as I rested in the arms of Jesus and declared Him first. Before everything else in my life. Once again.

He sheltered me in the shadow of His wings. I waited as the destructive storm passed over.

The love, beauty and whimsy of God. It is everything.

I was reminded of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Lost and ashamed. Naked. Running from the presence of God. I felt this to my core.

All He wanted was relationship. Sin cuts the relationship. He calls. “Where Are You?”. Will we run and hide and numb? Or will we run back to Him and let Him be our Umbrella?

Thoughts to think about anyway…

With wildflower whimsy,

Steph xo

P.s. Quote of the week:

“I don’t feel very much like Pooh today”, said Pooh. “There, there, ” said Piglet, “I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.” A. A. Milne

May this week be filled with lots of tea, lots of honey, and lots of whimsy in the shadow of His Wings. xo