Gardening, Long Walks and Painting

So what do gardening, long walks and painting have in common?  Probably nothing at all to the casual observer but for me each of these is a special time of introspection and appreciation for the beauty around us. Time to hone that attitude of gratitude for all the blessings we enjoy.
 
This year the garden is enjoying a purple and yellow theme and I will plant almost any flower that meets that requirement.  How much fun to choose simply based on color and then finding a suitable location for its lighting needs! Gladiola, calla lilies, irises, yellow blanket flower, verbena and a host of others whose only claim to fame is their color!
 
But the best part of the day is leaving my home at sunrise, to greet another day in that first light, to see just what it is the Lord has in mind for me on this gift of a new day, the gift they call “the present”.  Living in the moment takes great intentionality for me … I tend to live an event or two into the future, multi-tasking my way through the day if I’m not careful.  I must continually rein in those tendencies in order to live the moment at hand, to savor its beauty and not miss its unique qualities.
 
Painting and the joy I get when someone else finds delight in one of my creations, is like the best of both of those worlds above.  Color and the dance it does with light as I allow the medium du jour to move my hands where they need to go, music filling my studio as I enter the world of color, texture, line and value.
 
So what do these 3 have in common?  Probably this: each feeds my soul and makes me who I am … a sojourner, loving and living and to God be the glory!