Birdsong echoes through the rustle of the leaves as the hillsides awaken in unspoken praise to the One who called each one into being.
Late spring mornings in middle Tennessee can quickly become a sultry afternoon so a morning walk provides the backdrop for listening, reflecting, and observing. Together these provide the fertile soil for praise to join with the birdsong.
It can be so easy to jump into a day with the many lists that demand my attention once I have taken time to stop by my favorite red chair to have my devotions. In this life, many if not most of our days will be like that, but on some days I have dessert at the end of my devotional time.
I call it dessert time because it comes at the end of being fed in the Word. Dessert can be skipped, but when I can choose to take just a bit more time alone to be in His creation all my senses are refreshed.
Recently, I had such a morning in Tennessee that allowed me to take a walk to Whistler’s Cove accompanied by the lyrics of birds unknown to me that released my thoughts and left them floating heavenward. So many different songs!
How the Lord must delight in the variety of music sent heavenward to Him! When I consider His creation of so many birds to serenade Him as well as each of us if we take time to listen, I cannot help but be filled with wonder at such a God!
How He must rejoice when our voices soar upward no matter what the rhythm or time signature! Music surely is one of His best gifts!
On this walk, the scent of honeysuckle blossoms met me here and there along the path I took. How many fragrances He has created for His pleasure and ours! Even we are a fragrance to Him!
In 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 Paul writes:
“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”
So, when I have spent time with Him, His fragrance spills out on me and as I share Him in my day in whatever way He leads, that same fragrance can extend to others.
How I desire that such a life-giving fragrance grace my life!
On such a Tennessee morning as I walk along the path taking in all the fragrance of Him, the sights of His creation, and the sounds of His music, I feel immersed in His fragrance as it washes over me.
Such times of sweetness and gentleness in His presence do so much to draw me into His arms and treasure the truth that I am His child, His daughter, loved everlastingly.
Please, take time for dessert!
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Psalm 34:8
I enjoyed this post so much! It was so refreshing. I felt like I experienced “dessert” through your detailed descriptions, hearing the birds as they called. Just beautiful!!
I was struck quite profoundly by your statement, “So, when I have spent time with Him, His fragrance spills out on me and as I share Him in my day in whatever way He leads, that same fragrance can extend to others.”
Thank you so much for blessing me here today. 🙂
Thanks, Karen! Your affirmation and encouragement blesses my heart!
Love your post. Your descriptive words create imagery to make me feel as if I was there too. I always feel closer to God when I’m out in nature enjoying His creation. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Rachel! Your encouragement is a blessing!
Breathtaking in words and images. I shared this on my Facebook page! (A Brownie World Blog) – Amanda
Thanks, Amanda! I am so glad you enjoyed both! My posts tend to combine photos I take and love with words I seek to express! Blessings on your day!
Pam, how lovely is this?! Love the “dessert” connection. What a yummy dessert it is too…the beauty of His creation is breathtaking. Your pictures are beautiful! I love honeysuckle and wisteria too. 🙂 Thank you for sharing this uplifting post this morning. So glad to be your linkup buddy at Kelly’s place today. ((grace upon grace))
Thanks so much for your kind words about what I wrote and the photos I took. This post combines several things I love!! Blessings on your day!
Visiting from Intentional Tuesday linkup! What a beautiful post. Oftentimes we take moments like those for granted and forget to see God’s amazing love and beauty in it. Have a blessed day!
Thanks so much Chelsey! You’re right!! You have a blessed day also!
Hoe truly lovely, Pam. Truly…your words, His Word, and your photos make for a delicacy to be enjoyed by my eyes and my heart.
Thanks so much! I am glad you were blessed!!
Dessert!! I love it! I will definitely be thinking of this the next time I get out to enjoy His natural splendor!! Thanks for sharing and the beautiful pictures leading to praise! #LLMLinkup
Thanks! Dessert is something I believe He means for us to enjoy and this type doesn’t add calories! So glad to have you share today!
Glorious, Pam! I know little of Tennessee … and I long for mornings such as yours, friend. Thanks for sharing yet another one of the beauties that makes you, you.
Monday’s marvelous blessings …
Thank you for such kind and gracious words, dear friend!
What a beautiful Tennessee morning. Reminds me of several of my Alabama mornings. 🙂 Last week I was in Denver; it has a whole different kind of beauty with people walking everywhere in the cold and snow (yes, even last week!). God is everywhere and God is so good to show up and want to commune with us.
Oh, I love Denver as well! You’re right! God is everywhere and shows up desiring to commune with us! Thanks, Lisa!
What beautiful surroundings! And this post is significant for me because our pastor just moved to Tennessee (Decherd) to serve a church there. We miss him and his sweet family, but it was fun to get a glimpse of what they might be seeing right now!
I took these photos recently near Franklin, TN, a southern suburb of Nashville.