Lessons Learned

My creation



On Friday I had a pretty horrible day.  Suffice to say that it was your typical horrible day, when people in your life say things that make a little hurt in your heart.





We all have those days and they make you doubt yourself,  and feel sad.  So, I got in the car to go for a ride to refresh my spirit while spending time alone with the Lord.





Driving down a few country roads I knew and a few I did not...As I turned a corner I saw a field of sunflowers and a small farm.




There were people with bags going to collect a harvest.  We were expecting Hurricane Earl, so I thought that these smart folks were harvesting their co-op farm before the storm.



I saw a sign and it said


"Pick your own flowers, 25 cents a bloom."

Well, who could resist that?




So, I got out of the car, and took some water from a water bottle I had in my front cup holder.  I went into the trunk of my car and took out a roll of paper towels.  I tore off a few paper towels and drenched them with water, like my mother had taught me to keep the stems of flowers wet.






Then taking a plastic bag with me I knew I could wrap the stems of the flowers I picked with the wet paper towel so that I could put the bouquet I was planning to pick in the plastic bag until I got home.  They had scissors hanging by the money cup for you to use.




With each flower that I picked I gave my anger to the Lord.  I could feel my spirit being calmed. I felt like a little child in that field, picking flowers.   I was glad at the time, to give those blooms a safe haven in case the storm would arrive and pound them silly with the heavy rains.

When I was finished picking my bouquet, I felt like a new person.  The storm came later that night but gave us little damage.  All that I can say is that there must have been some pretty heavy prayers covering our lovely place.

My bouquet is in my kitchen so I can see it whenever I pass by. Lesson learned, that sometimes when those days come raging through like a storm, I need to spend time with the Lord to renew my spirit.



Lessons learned.  I think next time I will be spending time with the Lord a little extra before the storms strike.  A bit like those farmers who were harvesting what they had sown before the storm arrived.

My creation

The song for this post is I Am A Child of God






"And He said:  I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:3


daisy

I am linking to lovely Spiritual Sunday today, hosted by Charlotte and Ginger.








Please pick the flowers from this post for your own bouquet.  Take home any photos from my post.









BALLET NEWS said...

What you've said here is very apt. We all have those days - and if there is something we can do to smooth the time until something good happens - so be it !!!

Have a lovely week ! The flowers are beautiful !

Joyce said...

So sad to hear about your rough week. We are definitely going to need a road trip to the Cape this week. Can't wait. Sounds like we both need a day to just breathe.

Ruth said...

these are beautiful pictures! I hope you have a lovely week ahead!!

Blessings,
Ruth

brandi said...

~sending you a bounty of l♥ve to fill your heart and soul...calming moments with whom you believe in and put your trust in always nourishes our being...sometimes we forget to take such time and simple be in the presence of such...quieting our mind and allowing the spirit to fill us and reside with in us...only warm wishs and brightest blessings upon you...i am happy you found such a l♥vely way to release your emotions...each bloom is beautiful~

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Karen, I hate that anyone would hurt your heart. That makes me so sad. I wish I could reach through the computer and hug you and bring you a bouquet from my yard of pink pintas. That's what's blooming in the jungle that is Florida right now.

I have been thinking about everyone in New England as the storm approached, and I hope and pray that all is well. I'm thankful, some of the steam was taken out of its engine and that all seems well.

I also pray that you will have a very blessed week filled with all the joy you sew in other people's lives. And you do, you know. You are a joy sewer, and I love you much. :-)

XO,

Sheila (who is still on break but plans to post soon to explain my absence)

Kathleen Grace said...

I have certainly had those days too Karen. I have always been grateful that I can run to my heavenly Father with my hurts. He never fails to wrap me in His loving arms and make the sting a bit easier to bear. Sending my love and lifting you to God.

Love
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Oh, Karen, I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a hug.
This is so beautiful - and you are so dear to so many of us!
Have a good day today!
Zuzu

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

Oh, Karen, these are beautiful photographs. I wish we had such a lovely field around here.
I posted a flower painting that I did recently and they are certainly not specific. Daisies are a favorite thing to paint and you just might have given me the inspiration.

Blondie's Journal said...

I learned a bit myself from your lesson. I hope your heart is healing, and very happy that you were safe from the storm.

xoxo
Jane

Kdottie Designs said...

Karen ~ Thank you, just what I needed today.

Gail Griner Golden at Gail-Friends said...

Isn't that just like our Father...to take something sad and teach us something beautiful from it. Your post is beautiful and I love your blog. I'm a new visitor (and now follower). Please come over to Gail-Friends for a visit.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Karen Sweetie...
What a beautiful blessing you have been today. I felt as though I could feel the beautiful sunshine on my face, I could smell the rain coming and feel the wind blowing. What laughter I could hear in the fields as people flocked to pick a flower bouquet to remind them that storms too will pass.

I have so enjoyed getting to know you over this past year. You have touched my life and that of my family. You my friend are truly a blessing. You share your beautiful God given talents with so many, and your writes take me to so many happy places. I can never thank you enough sweet friend.

I am so sorry to hear that you were sad, but happy to know that this drive helped your load lighten.

Many hugs and so much love, Sherry

Sarah said...

What a beautiful bouquet and what a beautiful post. I think we've all been right there too. ~ Sarah

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Karen,

I enjoyed reading your lovely post today. I was sorry to hear that you had a bad week.
That is wonderful that you could get out and enjoy a lovely trip in the country.
The flowers are so beautiful.
Glad to hear that you are safe from the storm.
wishing for a beautiful week ahead for you.
Hugs
Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Karen - What a wonderful lesson to teach the rest of us. Thank you so much. I will remember it.
Your flowers are glorious, as is our God!

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Karen,

Oh this is lovely and what a beautiful way to praise God in all the glory of his creations - flowers.
Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Erin

I am going to pick a few of your flowers to paint.

Musings of A Minister said...

You may have been having a bad week but my week will be better because of your wonderful post. Absolutely beautiful in every way. I want to say it over and over again--but I won't. I'll just say thank you for posting such an encouraging, uplifting and BEAUTIFUL post. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Oh, bless you Karen. This post is one of the sweetest I have read in a long time. Thank you for sharing your brokeness with us. How you spent time with the Lord, turned your anger over to him was truly touching. May you continue to feel renewed and re-energerized this week. God loves you so much, and your friends at Spiritual Sunday do too.

A Tale of Two Cities said...

I've never seen a place where you could pick your own flowers for quarters! God must have given you that experience just when you needed it most!

Debi

Virginia said...

So glad your day turned around at the end. And your time alone with the Lord calmed your spirit.
Sweet Blessings,
Virginia

Elyse said...

beautiful

xo
elyse

Charlotte said...

Wow, Karen, this is such a beautiful post - in every way. I loved it. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

YOU are special. Those flowers would have made me cry, as they represent to me on my computer screen, the love of God that is gentle, sweet smelling, colorful and rare. The words and spirit of those who are angry and lash out are so damaging like a storm, but after the winds die down, what remains is the beauty of the earth, the foundation upon which we stand, and the creator of it all. I have had many a day when outer forces come and knock me down, but He is so faithful to bring me a bouquet of forgiveness and calm. You are special dearest...never forget that. Anita

Vee said...

These kinds of things happen all too often and I'm glad you've discovered a way of coping. (One thing that you can also be grateful for is that you weren't saying the hurtful words.) Thank you for sharing these thoughts with us. I also felt that lots of prayers protected us from that storm. With God, we can be protected from many kinds of storms.

Anita said...

Your flowers are beautiful! Isn't it amazing how God will bring us through our trials in the most unexpected way sometimes?
Wishing you a blessed Labor Day.
Anita

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

What beauties you have.

Claudia said...

Hi Sweetie...
It hurt my heart to think you have been doubting yourself at all.

I, like you have found that even though I have wonderful days, when people you trust and think love you can hurt us to the core.

Im so happy you could give these feelings up and not hold on to them. YOu are so much better for it.

Thanks for sharing your lovely post today.

Hugs.
Claudia

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Karen, what an absolutely beautiful post! I'm so sorry that you had your feelings hurt, but so glad that you have God in your life and He led you down the path to find that beautiful bouquet to soothe your heart. As usual, your photos are beautiful, and so are you. laurie

faithful love said...

There is a wonderful song that says:

"Sometimes He calms the storm, with a whisper Peace Be Still, He can settle any sea, but it doesn't mean He will....sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child..."

I stumbled on your site today...it is always nice to connect with another follower of our Lord...and Savior...you have beautiful things, and a gift He has given you and it's nice you are making such beautiful things with it...

Hope you are feeling better, and that all is well now....
Have a blessed weekend...
Faith

Joy said...

I know the Lord led you to that field of flowers, and I believe you know that too. Great spiritual lesson to learn.

- DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -