It was my word for this year. Gulp. π» And yet, as my father always said, I work with the cards I've been dealt. π When things are easy, we don't work at it as hard, no? I planted a wildflower garden just as covid broke out. πΌ We used our pentup energy and worked out the flush of fears by digging a trench for a 4 ton rock river which we wheelbarreled in place over 4 days then tilled the soil of the front yard multiple times, mixing seed with sand which I hand tossed. We stomped the seeds into the soil. Then we waited. π§ It gave the whole neighborhood something to look forward to as they walked by it daily on their walks and bike rides. π² Nothing happened for the longest time as the pandemic spread. Then one day, little greens appeared. Then a flower. π» Then another. π Neighbors would comment on them. And smile. One city worker cutting grasses along the roadside got off his tractor in early summer, sat on our driveway and took pictures of the huge gloriosa daisies like a little child. It gave me such joy to know the flowers were making so many feel happy seeing the extraordinary beauty in God's creation. Sometimes, perhaps most times, joy comes from bringing pleasure and beauty to others, not trying to find it within ourselves. Let us do what we can to preserve the joy of flowers and trees. Plant butterfly gardens, tend yards and lawns so as not to kill our pollinators, then expand to cultivate charitable responses so as not to kill our souls or those of our neighbors, treat a woman with the same respect you would a man, help someone find a job, help all people feel welcome in your presence and your family. All of these are ways of praying and discovering the joy of making God happy. "The joy of the Lord is my strength and my shield." Psalm 28:7 . . . . #creativeleadership #radicallyinclusive #radicalfaith #findingjoy #Christconsciousness #prayerlife #innerhealing #coffeeandjesus #gritandgrace #encouragingwords #speaklife #womenoftheword #dailyencouragement #wordsofinspiration #positivethought #tbt #throwbackthursday #follow #instalike #likeforlike #l4l #followher #wordoftheyear2020 #findingjoyinthelittlethings https://www.instagram.com/p/CG8NqknlhYt/?igshid=17z9mtx1y0vyu
