March 2011 – Skelton Sketches

The Little Things…

Posted on March 25, 2011April 27, 2017 by lindaskelton

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that lift our spirits… And that dogged determination to do what we’ve committed to on days we’d rather not, that helps too. So, did I say I was going to make a point to hike up Scout once a week? That once-a-week stuff comes around awful quickly. Anyway, there’s more than one way to get up Scout, so for variety I came up from another angle following the Sunshine Coast Trail…

…and here’s what I found…

…wild currant bushes creeping into bloom.

Catching some sun on a mossy (wet seat, oops!) clearing I had time not only to vent some frustrations to the Maker of Creation but to stop and look at His gifts to me this day…unseen gifts of continuing grace and faithfulness… and little tiny beautiful things with texture and color and life…

(Doesn’t this drop look like a little earring? My apologies for the lack of focus…)

The Moss is all excited about spring—putting out bouquets underfoot…

Surely God cares about the little things that seem so big to me for He makes even the tiny things beautiful. And here it is, beauty springing up underfoot when I take time to look.

‘He has made everything beautiful in its time.’ Eccl.3:11

–LS

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”—Lk.12:28

Anticipation

Posted on March 19, 2011April 30, 2017 by lindaskelton

“I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious time ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens…” —Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of Rom.8:18-21

And every springtime we get to practice the anticipation of life coming from death, beauty from drabness, warmth from chill…

On rainy afternoons such as today’s it’s hard to imagine summer sun, but there are hints of spring underway all about the yard…

In the coy beauty of a prim bud…

and the rain-drop ornaments of lupine leaf…

Spring is on the way! Resurrection life is no false hope.

So ‘we rejoice in hope of the glory of God!’ (Rom.5:2)

Here’s hoping you’re seeing hints of springtime’s promise in your days, whether through rain or shine.

—LS

My Father’s World

Posted on March 12, 2011 by lindaskelton

It’s one of my happiest pastimes to go out walking, looking to find the gifts of beauty God has for me today… here are this week’s finds:
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This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ear all nature sings…

and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees,

of skies and seas—

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.
–Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901)

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything….He is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘in Him we live and move and have our being.’ “(Acts 17:24-27)
May you find Him as near as your next breath as you look for His fingerprints in all that surrounds you.
–LS