As I shared with you in Unmasked, there are many things I stopped doing in my state of depression and overwhelm. One of those was Follow Friday.
And for this, I am so sorry.
This is one of those things I have really enjoyed! I have met so many amazing fellow writers/speakers/teachers, and it’s thrilled me to no end to introduce them to you.
So here I come further out of my dormancy to re-introduce you to my sweet friend Jeanne. I love her heart. Her honesty. And her love for Jesus and His people.
Jeanne Doyon writes and speaks from the heart, connecting the Truth of Scripture to everyday life. Her passion is to pause and see God’s presence around us and in His word. She teaches at women’s retreats and events throughout New England. Need an event speaker? Contact her about bringing a message to your next Christian women’s event or retreat.
You can follow Jeanne blogging at The Stream’s Edge. Connect and find out more at JeanneDoyon.com.
You can follow Jeanne at:
Website: https://JeanneDoyon.com
Social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanneDoyon.writer.speaker
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeannedoyon
Twitter handle @jeannedoyon
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JeanneDoyon
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/JeanneDoyon
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/inspireshope/
A Garden Bench Says, Enjoy This Moment
Okay, full disclosure here…I have been playing catch-up since January. Catching up on sleep. Gaining strength after being sick. Catching up on housework. Catching up on projects… I wonder how I can enjoy this moment.
And now, I am looking ahead to an unknown because my daughter and I are going back to China. In June, we think. That’s part of the problem, we don’t know for sure. So I am living in limbo while trying to do what is necessary today.
My brain doesn’t function well that way. Is it the same for everyone? I am not sure—I’d love to hear from you on this.
When my thoughts and what-ifs are set in the future, I have trouble enjoying today. I struggle with taking care of the now-things. So when I saw this garden bench, I knew its message was for me.
The Garden Bench Says: Enjoy This Moment
No matter what uncertainties lay ahead, today is right here with plenty of potential. I need to be reminded of this all the time because my default setting is to look ahead. I focus on what I don’t know. And what I can’t see. I wonder if I adjust my vision, future things would be taken care of by focusing on what’s before me today? Does that make sense?
Mmmm…
As I look out my kitchen window while washing dishes, my peony bush is getting taller by the day. No buds yet, but they’re coming. My chives wintered well; they are tall and straight. Buds are forming and soon their purple flowers will make me smile. It is my favorite time of year. The grass is green. Trees and shrubs are leafing out. I’m seeing beauty after a gray winter.
I don’t want to miss it.
When I think of it this way, I don’t want to rush ahead. Why wish for November when May is so lovely? I want to enjoy the precious time of growth and beauty. This makes perfect sense. So, why do I rush other things?
I think it is tethered to my To-Do list. I want so desperately to check things off, that I dwell in the future rather than the present. Rather than enjoy this moment, I am rushing to free up future ones.
Is this making any sense to anyone else??
I am determined to sit on that proverbial garden bench each day and savor today’s moments. When I do, I am more grateful. And I think that is just what God wants…to commit to:
Really tasting my food
Dwelling on the beauty of spring
Noticing the birds that visit
Taking time to listen
Looking up at the clouds
Enjoying the people in my path
Treasuring every moment with intentional escapes to a place of wonder
Because, with every moment of being really present, thanks-giving can bubble up within my heart. I want to live gratefully. Be in the moment. And love what I see God doing around me.
How about you?
How can you enjoy this moment?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. And see you in the garden…
Jeanne
Blessings, xoxo
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Thank you!! And thank you for sharing it. The message was so perfectly timed for me as well. 💜
Thanks for inviting me to share this message of the
Garden bench with your readers.