an Eyes of Wonder post

Many of you dear readers were followers of Eyes of Wonder back in the day (for those that don't know what I mean, my mama had a blog for a few years and documented our family). All of us children still have access to the blog (it's private now) and occasionally I go back to re-read her writings. I thought it might a be a nice treat for some of the long-time-ago readers to see one of her posts again. 

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Rest On Sunday...
Sunday, March 25, 2007

"The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes,
and surely it is in the everyday things around us
that the beauty of life lies.”


~~Laura Ingalls Wilder

The little things in life surely do matter.

The little things, the true foundational things that we may be tempted to forgo, for the seemingly greater, cannot really be forgone. They're the things that add up and make a difference, the immeasurable, magnificent difference, in the long run....in a life, in relationships, in a home.

Our little acts of kindness, our words of love spoken, written, throughout each day, even though seemingly passing unnoticed or even unappreciated, are *never* so, in the eyes and heart of Him who knows us and loves us best, and is a rewarder of even those things that are done, in secret. These seemingly small deeds, throughout the ordinary of each day--that add up, and make a difference, individually, generationally, eternally.

It's the small things, left unaddressed, that cause a heart to grow cold and hard, immovable, unloving. We make mistakes. We do things that we wish we hadn't. We don't do things that we wish we would, or even could.

Each night when I crawl into bed, I curl up like a child beneath the beauty, soft and luminous, of a starry summer night sky. I warm up, acutely aware of, yet strangely at leisure from, myself, beside God.

I let Him hold me, just as I am. My eyes may be open, they may be closed. All may seem silence, crystal clear, audibly. Though Life is within and without, beneath me, above me, before me, behind me, round about me--I am enveloped, cocooned, in Love.

In the freedom of His loving acceptance, I walk with Him through the events of the day. I pray for Big Papa, for my children, and ask God to search my heart, as only He can--seeing to the deepest recesses of my heart and mind, to my motives, intentions and desires, while all the while loving me, still, and desiring His very greatest good, for me, and for those I love--I ask Him to show me my mistakes, my shortcomings, my failures, my life lived that day, through His eyes.......and how to proceed in light of it all, that I may begin tomorrow, afresh--a new day, with no mistakes in it, free to begin again, in Love.

I find that the children learn far more by what I do, than by what I say. They will become what I model before them. In light of this, quick and humble apologies, sacrificially serving, gentle words of kindness, love, understanding, compassion, acceptance, praise--for even the smallest good I see-- far more praying for God to do inside of them, what He is likewise doing, inside of me--a fellow sheep-- rather than striving, or berating, and trying to bring about superficial growth and change outwardly. Bring about change Lord, in Your way, in Your time--and let it begin in me--make me the mother that each of these children needs.

Change *me* Lord, day-by-day, each day, anew. Humble me, melt me, mold me. Let my children walk in mercy and Truth, extending the grace and love that you extend to me, that I 'm thereby able to extend to them, to each precious one their lives touch, along life's way--both near and far.

It's the little things that matter, for they are the substance of the larger things, that grow and become, almost imperceptibly, moment-by-moment, day-by-day.

"The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes,
and surely it is in the everyday things around us
that the beauty of life lies.”

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Rest well, this lovely March day.
Jewels

Comments

  1. Awww . . . thanks for that Rosie! So lovely to look back and remember, like a warm hug on a frosty morning. (((Hugs)))

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing this! :) I miss reading your mom's post and this was such a gift!

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  3. Oh my goodness, this brought tears to my eyes! I started reading your mom’s blog when I just had one child. Now I have four and now I truly understand her words❤️ Thank you for letting me hear from her again and I hope you know how much you resemble her heart❤️

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  4. Rosie....you have blessed so very many with your mama's words today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. I do hope you will do more.
    I pray for you all daily and ask the Lord to give you peace and comfort.
    Hugs and blessings,
    Cathy

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  5. A treat, indeed! Thank you so much for posting this.

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  6. I learned to journal from your mother. I used to get sick of writing my thoughts and happenings. I wanted the memories but it was just pages and pages of writing to sift through. When I saw how pretty hers were with magazine clippings, little notes of the days events, pretty accents...I loved it! I started my first one in 2008 and I am almost done with my 2nd. Thank you for sharing you mom's writing, I know they are very dear to your heart.

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  7. I so missed her blog when your Mom stopped writing. Her mind was so beautiful as were her words. The life she described was one to aspire to and now you are living it and writing it with your own twist. Your Mom was a true Jewel and so precious. Thank you for allowing her words to wash over us again for a short time.

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  8. I can not share how special this was. I too had been a long time follower of your momma. And while you have become such a blessing to read in your own right. To get to hear again these beautiful words I was in tears. So happy am I that she has left this wonderful gift of herself for all of you children to read. For you to hopefully know in your hearts how much of a blessing your were to her, and that she now walks with our dear Lord. And awaits you there one long day from now.

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  9. So enjoyed reading this again. I remember reading your mamas blog when i was still a young mother, and now i am a grandmother! She was a talented writer and the love she shared about her faith and her family was so evident!! I was saddened to learn of her passing. Prayers to you and your families.

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  10. Oh. What a gift she has given. Her words, thoughts, memories and love, for you all to read.

    As I have said before, your mom made me see past the day-in-and-day-out to the deeper meaning of my days with my children and my walk with the Lord.
    Thank you for sharing. Hugs to you, Rosie.
    Because of Grace....

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  11. Way back in the day, I printed out some select posts from your Mom's blog and glued them into an inspirational notebook I keep and read from time to time to be uplifted and encouraged. This post was one of them. I have re-read it countless times over the years, and it never fails to touch my heart. How beautiful.

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  12. Thank you for this Rosie. Your Mama's blog was one of the first I ever found. How it brought such thoughtfulness and light to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing. Lord bless you all.

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing this. Your mother’s words were always a great encouragement to me. Have you considered putting her writings in a book? I know I would certainly purchase it! Blessings to you and your family. ��

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  14. Thank you for sharing, Rosie. Your mom's blog was so lovely. I only found it about the last year she wrote in it. I am so happy that your family still has her words. I have letters from my mom...who wrote me many as I had to live away from her most of my adult life...and though I could not keep them all, I kept the best ones and truly it is a treasure to have their words!! Blessings dear, as you enter the holiday season...no doubt it will not be easy this year. But surely you all will feel her presence still in ways as you follow the things she taught you.
    Elizabeth

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  15. I did so enjoy reading your Mum's blog when I was a young mother myself and was thrilled to bits when I found your blog. I pray the Lord continues to bless you and your family during these times. Thank you so much for sharing your mother's wisdom with all of us.

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  16. Along with your words on Wednesday... would you ever consider a weekly or monthly old post from your mom? Inspiration to all x

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  17. What a most Precious Gift you gave to us today~! I was a long-time reader of 'Eyes of Wonder' and was always blessed by your Dear Mama's words. When I opened your blog today and saw your post I was so very happy. To revive emotions and thoughts that her words gave me was a Joy of familiarity. Her honesty and humility were one of the hallmarks of her writing. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness to include us once again.
    Always in Joy because of He Who "loves us with an Everlasting Love". Jeremiah 31:3
    xoxo C.

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  18. Dear rosie thank you so much for posting this.i too used to follow your dear mothers blog. it was such an insperation and gave such a feeling of calmness and closeness to god.
    I learnt so much from her.thank you so for sharing .karen uk x

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  19. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful words from Eyes of Wonder. Your mother's blog had such an impact on my life, which carried forward into the impact I was able to have on others. The study she introduced me to on Tearing Down the Walls by Norm Wakefield really changed the way I view relationships and gave me a bit of insight into her way of thinking about relationships, which was so unique. I will be forever grateful that I had the incredible privilege of actually meeting her in person, which was a blessing beyond anything I deserved (and that was much your father's doing).

    Reading words like these puts me back into that frame of mind - her view of God, other people, and the world around us - that she managed to set forth each time she wrote, which we instantly respond to and long for, but could never put into words in quite the way that she did.

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  20. Dear Rosie,

    Thank.you so much for sharing the beautiful and holy writing of your beloved Mama. Her writings drew me closer to God and helped me in my daily life. Please do consider reposting some ( or all!) of her writings, perhaps as a tribute to her memory. God bless you and your family. Your are in my prayers.

    Marney

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  21. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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  22. Your momma’s blog carried me through the most difficult time of my life. I remember the music when the blog opened up “The more I seek You, the more I find You”... I remember the pictures, dinner table, food, pictures of you girls... I miss your momma’s blog. You girls should put it in bookform for us to keep... we have a little bit of Eyes of Wonder through your blog. Thank you for keeping it going❤️

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  23. Thankyou for posting this. I used to follow her blog and it always lifted my heart. I was so sad when she stopped. It was good to read her words and feel the same peace of finding a kindred spirit.

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