I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
Proverbs 8:17ย
The Art of Paying Attention
She walks each day at least 3 times
maybe more
with or without the dog
through countryside and to the river
with ease
she sits under an apple tree
sometimes she spies the horse or cow
sometimes itโs just the rustling
of leaves somehow
that causes her to stop and ponder
look to the sky
and hear each word He whispers
to her.
~Marcell Warner Bridges
ยฉ1 July 2018
For: N.T.J.
I want to learn this art of stopping to smell the flowers like she does, this woman I love so very much.
I wish I knew her secret. But then again, I do know her secret. I just donโt know how to stop and pay attention like she does.
Oh she has learned. She has learned this art of believing that everything holds a message from God if we will just trust Him with all our hearts. She has taught herself through prayer and wonder how to incline her ear to our Lord above.
I donโt get out into nature much. Every few months I travel to the mountains for their grandeur to speak to me somehow. And even then, I donโt always stop to spend time with Him.
Itโs funny how we can allow things in our lives to keep us from enjoying all God has given us. Like allergies, insects, and animals that we are afraid to find. My neighborhood, this place Iโve lived in for 23 years, is the quietest place most of the time and I could probably walk safely among its roads if it werenโt for the dogs that run freeโchasing me.
Iโm just a โfraidy-catโ of life I guess.
Iโve become a solitary, sedentary, placement on a couch. I spend my days amusing myself with things that I should (and maybe could) go without. Never spending enough time to open my ear and listen–to recline and incline myself–to whatever He may be saying.
I long for peace and quiet but when I get it I donโt deny this: I usually forget to pray my prayers or find a little heaven in that moment.
Next week Iโll be at the beach. I wonder. What will He have for me to see? What will I hear? What will I write? Will I find time to stop, pay attention, and listen for His whispers? Or will I get too caught up in the adventure?
How about you? No matter where you are or what you are doing, will you stop too? I hope you do.
From My Heart to Yours,
Marcie
Marcie, with all your heart, mind and soul, be still and listen for His whispers on your heart. Nothing else is as rewarding.
Blessings, my friend!
Thank you for this encouragement Martha. I am choosing to start this week begin a more intentional stopping and listening. ๐
Good morning my writing sister in Christ, be kind to yourself. Your poem spoke loudly of someone who stopped and listened. May God continue to lead your heart to speak His message for the world:)
Good morning Julie, God has definitely been drawing me to Himself much lately. I plan on finding intentional times to meet with Him, seek Him, and learn to listen. Thank you for your encouragement. ๐
I absolutely love meeting God outdoors! I seek His face when I walk my dog, when I drive with the Jeep top down, when I walk the trails by the river. Itโs so easy to soak in His creation and thank Him for all He has given me.
I hope youโll sit by the waves and marvel at their beauty. Sink your toes into the sand and know He made its coolness just for you. Watch the sunset and rejoice over the multitude of colors.
Love you, sweet friend!
Thank you so much Melony. I think sometimes we let all the clutter in our lives keep us from taking that time to stop and pay attention to what God may be saying to us. Or, we also let it keep us from doing what He is asking. I can’t wait to be at the beach next week. I am hoping it will restart a deeper walk and relationship with my Lord. Love you too sweet sister. You are truly a blessing to me. ๐
Marcie, you have blessed me greatly. Thank you. You are such a precious friend. I believe you ARE a listener. How else would you know that the Lord keeps calling your name? I know He smiles when He thinks of you and is very honored by your desire for sanctification. I think sanctification is a “lost art” within the Body of Christ, but it is so necessary for walking closely with Him. Sanctification. The pursuit of holiness. Returning to our first love. You are on the right path and you lead others to His grace often by your own recognition of His presence. Thank you for using your beautiful gift of poetry to minister to each of us.
Thank you for being such a Godly example to me and always pointing me to Christ, Nan. You are truly a blessing to me as well. Thank you for helping me to see it is really okay to see Christ in all things and in every way in life. ๐