Grass may be greener
on the other side of fence
take care of your own
Wendy/2013
Empty thoughts prevail
when my mind wanders too much
you are what you think
Wendy/2013
Only real birds fly
don’t wish for what you can’t have
want what you do have
Wendy/2013
I took these photos on the main street in Courtenay last summer. They seemed to have something to say… so I listened.
I have a confession to make. At Christmas time I did not read one of my cards until after the holiday, because I wanted to feel content with our lot instead of hearing about all the exotic holidays this person takes. Then when I did read it, I found out that a wealthy relative was unable to travel this year because she was bedridden from an injury (that occurred on a cruise). Yikes! And I was worried about being tempted to covet; instead, I was motivated to pray for her healing and to offer thanks to God for my own legs that can still walk.
Mindful Blessings ~ Wendy
What are you thankful for this week?
Simple, sweet, beautiful, and true my friend!
Love it!
-Brooke
Thank you, Brooke! I appreciate your sweet words.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
I’m thankful for for being alive and having word press to turn to! Hugs xxx
I am thankful for friends, like you, that warm my heart and curve my lips into a smile. 🙂 Thinking of you, dear Paula.
Blessings my friend ~ Wendy xo
A thoughtful post indeed. The card thing is a clue about life. Too much bragging about what you have often leads to things that are not so good. (the vacation person and the the travelling).
In my Aunt’s case, I don’t think she realizes how unable we are, at present, to travel. She lives in a different circle than I do. But she was always kind to me when I was a child, and so I am grateful for her encouragement in the past. She has a kind heart. I need to guard mine from envy or ungratefulness.
Blessings dear new friend ~ Wendy 🙂
I am thankful that God has saved me from the ice before a fall.
Gabi
Gabi, my biggest tripping hazard is our cat who likes to race with me on the stairs. I walk slowly if she is around…( Ist meine groBte Stolperfalle un ere Katze, die mit mir auf der Treppe rennen will. Ich gehe langsam, wehn sie da ist.)
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Good one!!! Beautiful shots!!!
Thanks, Rexlin! I had fun taking them! 🙂
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
These are such great poems with wise words, Wendy!! I’m thankful for so very much–but I’ll just say this: I’m thankful I’m physically able to clean my apartment and cook good meals for myself–thankful for God’s provisions of good health, and groceries. And always I’m thankful for the gift of writing, and a fairly sharp mind that seems to have no “Off” switch! And not to forget, I’m so so thankful for my blog family, and how they enrich my life daily! How’s that? God bless you BIG–love, sis Caddo
Wow! Your list is the icing on the cake, Caddo! I am thankful for your blog because you always make me smile and take me somewhere wonderful in your poems. Hugs! I’m glad that you don’t have an off switch. Goodnight, sis, my pillow calleth! 😉 And I don’t want to fall asleep during biology video tomorrow and make my kids laugh at me again… zzz
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
I am thankful for you. For being yourself and for others to see that there are good people out there in the world that really do care, and that we all can occasionally mess up but ‘fess up about it and still be exactly who we are. God Bless you Wendy, I also love the photographs and their messages! 🙂 xx
Penny, I must fess up that I mess up daily! 😉 I think that we are encouraged more by peoples’ confession of imperfection than by any pretense of perfection… Yet, we need to strive to live up to what we have attained in our maturity so far. Your words encouraged me – thank you!
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
My friend, your pictures and poems were beautiful, and your testimony ministered to me, and to many others who have read it and those who will read it in the future, as they see that we can praise God in all circumstances… Hallelujah! I’m so glad neither of us could afford to go on that cruise! 😀
Much love,
Cheryl
Somehow, Cheryl, I suspect I’d be way out of place on a cruise. But there are ones for people of faith with fabulous food and fellowship. That would work for us! 😉 Hugs!
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
I’m so amazed at your photos, Wendy . ..and then how God used them, with your teaching haikus . ..and it all blessed me. Along with your sharing about the card. You are something else . .something wonderful! I did something along similar lines before . ..thinking to save myself from some heartache. Then the exact same situation came up again, and I didn’t try to save myself, but trusted God with it. It hurt . .but He was with me and I had to believe that He was working something in it too, for everyone involved.
God bless you and yours!
Oh, Debbie, you are so right about choosing to trust God through an uncomfortable encounter. I avoided Bible studies with other moms during my years of infertility. One year I decided that God’s comfort was bigger than my pain and I went. There were babies and bellies all around me. Not only did I survive, but I ended up pregnant, myself, before the group ended for the summer. It was a sweet victory that I learned in the nick of time. Yet how quickly I can forget! Brings to mind something Paul said…
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
I really like the first photo–the flowering grass framed by the harsh, industrial look of the iron fence.
Nice job, as usual. David
Thank you, David! I liked the contrast in the first one, too.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
fitting thoughtful words…
Thank you, Heather! I read that the easiest way to do a haiku is to write in response to a picture.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
yes I read the same thing…I’ve recently been doing some writing…I’ve been seeing people talking about haiku and didn’t know what it meant, so did some research on the logic…very interesting way to write…
all the best…Heather
Hi Wendy! I’m thankful for so many things, but in the spirit of your lovely post here…I’m thankful that after wasting far too many years of my life comparing myself to others, be it in the natural things or the spiritual, that I am FINALLY ‘learning to be content’.
Blessings! ~ Marsha
Marsha, living in contentment makes one wealthier than a queen! My goal is to stay away from pauper thoughts! 😉 Thank you, as you have inspired me.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Hi Wendy, I like all poems but the last one is my favourite! Also, the bird looks a bit similar to the one I posted today. 😉 This week I’m especially thankful that my mother’s surgery went well! Sometimes we need a reminder that life is fragile and we should enjoy (more) the time we have. 🙂
Calee, I am glad to hear that your mother is doing well. Life is not predictable – for sure! You are right that the wooden bird looks similar to yours. I prefer the real one! 😉
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
I, too, like the grass photo, but the clear head/empty mind photo really grabbed me. Inspiring words as well. Without wanting to seem self-promoting one of my posts on gratitude still makes me feel good so if anyone is interested they could check it out (http://viewoutsidethepew.com/2012/05/26/god-is-good-to-me/). As always, thanks.
I just went and read your post, and it is a feel good one, indeed! “Find joy in simple pleasures,” used to hang on my fridge until it faded. I think I need to make a new one…
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
Simple pleasures in a complex world created by a God of love. I like that.
🙂
Thanks for the timely reminder – I shall not want!
We needn’t complain about our own “green pastures and still waters” – that’s for sure! 😉 Thanks for making me smile!
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
Two(!) trivial things that I have requested of God were answered as soon as I asked this week, and it is only Thursday. They were small, but I am grateful
Sometimes it’s the little things that touch us the most deeply…
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
That is very true, it was just taking two things that I was worrying about off of my mind, it was a blessing.
Yes…so easy to see the grass is greener…but so true how we need to attend our OWN. the tall grass oats are beautiful in bloom. Blessings to you for keeping us pointed in the right direction daily♥
Thank you, Laurie! I really enjoy your photography and how upbeat your blog is.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Busy week! I am far behind on reading things that I want to, and even further on writing things! I can identify so much with the struggle that arises over contentment and also the fight against empty thoughts!
I am thankful that I was able to read my Bible and write in my journal during A’s nap. I was as the deer, panting for the water! And, all the things I read connected–because God is great like that! I hope to write about it more soon, but check out psalm 63! Our church has been going through this psalm, too.
Blessings to you–Alison
Blogs can wait – children are a priority – so good on you, Alison! It takes me a couple of days to follow up on visitors since I am a wife, a mom, and a gardener! I’m hoping for some serious gardening tomorrow…
Psalm 63 is so rich and beautiful! He satisfies the soul, indeed!
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Ah, I so often leap to conclusions which are skewed as well.Being human is so fraught with pitfalls, isn’t it?? Love the images – very unusual, and they speak to me in more than your words! 🙂
Thank you, Melody! I guess if we allow the pitfalls to be used by God as pit-stops for improvements then we can’t complain. (Romans 8:28)
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Ah, you have said it well – ‘if we allow’…. Wisdom for sure.
Part of your post reminds me of the adage “be careful what you wish for…”
I used to be annoyed with what I didn’t have, what others had more of – but what matters more, as you say is being thankful for what we do have. And all those who do have more, they are actually helping to provide work for those who have less. So there is a balance that often isn’t seen.
We all are differently able – while random kindness is good so, is the kind that isn’t so random…wishing health and healing for all in need.
“And all those who do have more, they are actually helping to provide work for those who have less.” I appreciate these wise words that need to be spoken more often.
Some of my best jobs were working for those who ‘have’. My aunt hired me, when I was a teen, to go with them on one of their holidays as a nanny. They treated me so kindly!
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
This was absolutely beautiful! thank you for your thought provoking post and also for viewing one of mine. I hope you’ll stop in many times in the future!
Thank you, Ellie! I hope to visit you more. 🙂
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo