NOW HERE'S THOUGHT.

           A few years ago when out walking in Autumn I saw some lovely shrubs covered in white berries. I did not know what they were called, but I always remembered them because of the profusion and purity of the berries.

            I noticed recently we have three of the same shrubs in our church garden and they are weighed down with berries almost to the floor, making them seem somehow humble, but at the same time vibrant in the dull October air.

             You know when we look at flowers and plants, they are so beautiful and can bring us much pleasure, but when you look at them knowing that God created them for our enjoyment they can take on a whole new meaning, especially when you believe "Everything in Heaven  and on Earth was created by Him and belongs to Him."

              Looking at plants with this in mind they can tell a story all of their own, with a bit of imagination you could go out and look at a plant every week and relate it to Jesus and through Him, to the Love God has for us all.

              I'll give you some examples of how you can achieve this. Take for instance the smell of a rose in the early morning with the dew still on it, sweet, fresh, pure, unsullied by the day ahead. It is the perfume of Jesus Himself pure and unsullied, and He stayed that way all His life.

              The violet hiding under my hedgerow in spring, looking closely it is so beautiful and yet it's humble, not seeking attention, content to be a violet.

              I often feel that when Jesus comes to earth again, His attention will be drawn to the violet, it will be the flower he smiles upon, because he shared the same Humility and Tenderness as that small, but perfect flower.

              Next year I am going to write in my diary every week, about things in nature that speke to me of Him. I have given you two examples to use, so go on try this out for yourselves, in all things, even plants; you can seek and find the Love of God.

                Sorry, but some thing funny just struck me, if we all end up going out and start talking to the plants, the world will think we going loopy, so talking to your diary might be better. Go on have a giggle; you know God even loves to share our laughter.

                If you do try to relate to the plants and nature as suggested, you will be surprised how many plants tell about His life, His Death and The Love of Jesus shows us all.

                Take for instance the shrubs I mentioned earlier, the whiteness of the berries, speaks to me of the purity of His Birth, like all babies born innocent, the difference in Jesus, He stayed that way. The Holly bearing witness to the crown of thorns and His Death, and yet birds sing in the Holly bush, plants grow around them, the wind blows through them, and the rain makes the berries shine brighter in the sunlight.

               The magnificent Magnolia opens up her cup shaped flowers to Heaven on an April Day, reminding me that Jesus rose from the dead and if I unfold my heart petal by petal to His immense Love, I will share His Humility and know His Peace.

Am I amazed by nature ‘Yes'

Am I amazed that Jesus knows me, as I am and still died for me, so that I could know God ‘Yes' ‘Yes' ‘Yes'.

May the rainbows of this October day

Cover you with God's blessings

And the perfume of His most Precious Flower

Fill your hearts with Love and Peace.

Sylvia Shields.