Humans, too often, seem to require much to be happy and thrive: living in the best house, in the best neighborhood, with the best car, wearing the best clothes, using the best and newest gadgets. The wisest of us, learn early and the rest of us learn ultimately, that things, expensive or not, will never make us happy for long. There are far more important things in life than acquiring the latest gadgets, clothes or whatever other material thing, Madison Avenue convinces us we should want. My favorite saying about this is: “We spend our time buying things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t even like, with money we don’t have.”
Nature does things a different way: often thriving through drought or flood, sunshine or shade and in spite of the poorest of environments. It is as if nature inherently knows that this is all temporary and understands we are to make the best of and even thrive through, whatever comes our way.
There are some things, of course, that nature can’t survive and they are usually the result of human interference. But if left alone, just God and nature, there is a beautiful and perfect balance that can teach us a thing or two about thriving. Sometimes…
…even when we do interfere and for example, plant a Stella d’Oro and some other lovely plants, in a beat up, rusty, old wheel barrow with a few holes drilled in the bottom, and then sit it in the hottest part of the yard, often forgetting to water it, nature just goes ahead and thrives anyway. It’s like it’s saying,”Nana nana boo boo! You can’t keep me down!”
I want to be more like that!
So, today, I am quietly thriving where I am. I’m not worrying about tomorrow. Just here, being happy with all that God has given me, and thankful that He hasn’t given me so much that I would not value it. I am quietly resting in the assurance that God has other, more important, things for me to do than store up temporary treasures. Just here, resting in the peace that comes with knowing that He has a perfect place prepared for me, where I will live forever with Him.
Yes, today I want to be more like nature. Not worrying about how I will be fed, watered, sheltered or nourished. Just thriving in Him and hoping that I’ll do the same tomorrow and the day after, and the day after that and so on, until I go to the place He has prepared for me and thrive with Him forever.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18 NIV
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NIV
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2
Fingerprint Friday was started by Beki, at The Rusted Chain. It was inspired by the song by Steven Curtis Chapman that contains the line…”when I look at you, I can see the fingerprints of God.” To participate and/or visit all of the blogs that do, go to the Fingerprint Friday Post on Beki’s blog and follow the instructions.
VElish Art Studio 
AMEN!!!! Love your message!!!
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Wonderful post Sister! You and I seem to have the same thoughts on our minds and hearts today :o) And you said it so beautifully!
xoxo, Daffy
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Beautiful message and said so nicely..
Happy Fingerprint Friday.
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Thanks for the reminder to breathe and enjoy the moment! [I LOVE that wheelbarrow!]
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Oh, Vicki!!! This is just the perfect meditation for me!! Thank you!!! And you have quoted some of my life verses!!! One of my all-time faves is Jeremiah 29:11!!! Hanging onto that all the time…Love that wheelbarrow! Did you paint it? You are so talented on so many fronts!! What an incredibly inspiring writer AND artist you are!! I'm thanking God for the wonderful blessing that you are!!! Love you so very, very much! Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!! Love always, Janine XO
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Thank you for the comments on my wheelbarrow. Yes, I painted the poor, pitiful thing…about five or six years ago. LOL! I believe she's ready for a touch up. She was a plain, red and rusted wheelbarrow that was about to be hauled off by my spouse as scrap metal. I grabbed her and spent an afternoon painting her in a sort of Mary Englebreit style. She is tucked into a corner of our pool area where she resides with an old galvanized aluminum trash can that has been painted as well…but I'll leave that for another day!
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Very nice and very wise words Vicki! I always try to remind myself of this, however it's not to difficult for me as I grew up poor. Still am actually so I have learned to make the most out of what I have!
Love Di ♥
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Me too! I want to be like the flowers. Wonderful post with great insight. I love to follow your blog!
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What a lovely post, Vicki, thank you for that message! 🙂
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Came to a similar conclusion during the retreat experience of the past 5 days. I like how you've expressed it and that's it is based on the truth of God's unchangeable nature and Word.
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Wonderful post Vickie. I have told so many people about your blog. It is so restful to visit here. It feels like I'm being pampered at a spa with all kinds of wonderful, warm, refreshing showers falling gently over me.
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Wise words you have here, Vicki. Too often I fall prey to the wanting and coveting of something more. You are right to look toward nature as a powerful example of contentment and thriving in whatever circumstances.
I love that charming painted wheelbarrow, by the way!
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Beautiful post. So fun to see the fingerprints of God all around us!
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