Though I haven’t done it in awhile, I love to take walks in the woods. While making my way along, wondering what I’ll find, I begin to feel less stressed, relaxing as I enjoy the fresh air and beauty surrounding me. [bctt tweet=”There’s something about the outdoors that calls to me.” username=”GaylWright”] I am blessed to live beside a woodland area with a variety of plants, trees and wildlife.
Wondering as I Wander
Wandering through the woods
I wonder what I’ll see
A squirrel racing up a tree
Or birds twittering with glee
Maybe there will be a snake
Slithering across the ground
While hardly making any sound
He should watch out for the hound
Fallen leaves, broken limbs
What is that peeking through
I almost smashed it with my shoe
Tiny flower dressed in blue
Wandering through the woods
I wonder what I’ll find
A treasure someone left behind
Or a calm place to unwind
~gayl wright
Everyone Needs Time Alone
We all need alone time without distractions. In our busy world it seems we don’t have time to stop, because of all the demands. We push ourselves from one thing to another hardly stopping to think. [bctt tweet=”What if we made it a priority to pause at times during the day if only for a few seconds? ” username=”GaylWright”]We can’t all drop everything and go into the woods for an extended time of quiet and contemplation. Most don’t have the means or the time to do that very often, much less every day.
Pause for Short Times During the Day
What is stopping us from taking a few minutes a day or even several times a day to stop what we are doing and say a quick prayer? We can thank God for life or we can send up a quick prayer for help. [bctt tweet=”Whatever our situation, we need time for pause during our busy days.” username=”GaylWright”] It helps immensely to step away for a minute and refocus. If there is time, a quick walk outdoors in the fresh air can be a healing balm enabling us to get back to work with renewed vigor.
Even Jesus set aside time alone to pray to His Father God. In Mark 1:35 we read:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
What about you? Are there certain practices that help you pause during the day? [bctt tweet=”What do you do when you feel the need to get away for some time of contemplation?” username=”GaylWright”]
Resources
My daughter, Jamie Bagley, has something to aid you in finding times of pause during the day. A collection of poetry/prayers, her Book of Hours: In Shadow and Sun can be found for Kindle at Amazon.
My poem above was inspired by a lesson in Jamie’s free poetry e-course found HERE on her website.
I’m linking up with: #DanceWithJesus, #porchstories, #InspireMeMonday, #MomentsOfHope, #Glimpses, #LMMLinkup
Dear Gayl,
I love your poem, and I am being blessed as I read your daughter’s collection of poems in her book too! Thank you so much for sharing the precious gift that poetry can be–in itself a pausing and a time to set aside the rush of the daily. As I was looking at your beautiful photos of walking in the woods, I became so thankful for our teeny, tiny plot of woods at the front of our property. God knew just how much walking I would be capable of these 13 years down the road after purchasing our house. Amazing! The gifts He gives us, and even plans ahead for us! Thank you for stirring such thankfulness in my heart today, Dear Friend! Hugs and Love to you! xoxo
Dear Bettie,
Thank you so much! Your comments are always so encouraging to me, and I appreciate them very much.
I do love the woods, but lately I’m beginning to wonder if we need to move to a smaller place where we can still see the woods, but not so much as we have here. Maybe it’s because of what our dogs have been finding lately…..
Thank you for stopping by. I always love to have you here. Blessings to you, dear Bettie! Love and hugs my sweet friend! xo
Dear Gayl, thank you for this peaceful, contemplative, poetic sanctuary. It’s so calming to my spirit! I love the images of trees, leaves and countryside. They meet a need deep inside this city girl who has a way to go to see such beauty. I love your poem, especially these lines:
“Wandering through the woods
I wonder what I’ll find
A treasure someone left behind
Or a calm place to unwind”
They evoke a sense of adventure and rest all at the same time. I clicked over to view the links to Jamie’s book and blog. Both intrigued me. I can see a new item to add to my ever growing Wish List! Have a relaxing, restful weekend, my friend. May it help stir those poetic juices. Sending blessings and hugs your way! xoxo
Dear Joy, Thank you so much. Your comments always refresh me and give encouragement. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem and photos and were refreshed by them. 🙂 I’m glad you liked that last stanza. It took me awhile to find the right words for that last line. I knew what I wanted to convey but had a hard time finding what sounded right for me. 🙂
Yes, Jamie’s poetry is beautiful and she has such a gift to be able to inspire others and cheer them on in their writing journeys and in life.
Thanks so much for being here, Joy! Many blessings to you my sweet, poetic friend! xo
Oh, what a beautiful poem and post! I so long to just meet with our dear Savior at various times throughout the day…sometimes, I don’t hardly know where one prayer ends and the next one begins. He is so near, and you are so right, we need to just do as His disciples were called to do…”come aside and rest awhile”. If we do, we will not be disappointed by the sweetness of His presence. So near and dear. Thank you for this precious post. God bless you, my friend. 😉
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I’m glad you enjoyed it. There is a joy to be found in the presence of God as we take time out to pray and read His word.
Blessings to you!
Time outside in nature always blesses me and calms my soul!
I’m glad to hear that, Elizabeth. There’s just something about the outdoors that is refreshing. The vastness of the sky, the trees, flowers and other plants…It makes me more aware of our awesome God.
Blessings to you!
We need to remember to take time for sabbath.
Yes, Tara, you are absolutely right! Blessings to you!
Yesterday, I took the day and had, what I would call, a true Sabbath Rest. It was good. A healing balm. xo
Susan, so glad you hear you were able to have a Sabbath Rest. It’s always refreshing and healing when it happens. I need to be more intentional about making it happen in my daily life.
Blessings to you and have a great week! xoxo
Lovely poem! Visiting from LMMLinkup.
Thank you, Christina! Blessings!
The idea of a book of hours reminds me of a great book by Davis Bunn (it’s not actually a book of hours–it’s a great suspense novel that talks about the whole concept of a book of hours). Looking out my windows always makes me pause and contemple the wonder of God (especially if there’s a hummingbird buzzing at the feeder).
That novel sounds interesting! Do you have the title of it? Maybe I’ll try to find it.
I also love looking out the window when I can’t get outside. Hummingbirds are great! I should put up a feeder this year.
Thanks for visiting, Anita. Blessings to you!
I love your poetic glimpse of your woods. The forest is my preferred place of get-away too. In fact, my post this week is about just that! There’s something about cascading waterfalls and the smell of cedar and mint that just rejuvenates my soul. This weekend my daughter and I took a hike, just the two of us, and it was very special. I’m so thankful for Sabbath rest!
Thank you Carol! Oh, I love the waterfalls and the trees, etc. Wow, you and your daughter must have really enjoyed that hike together! Sounds wonderful!
Thanks so much for visiting! I’ll have to check out your post, too. Blessings to you!
Thanks for this! I so need those quiet moments throughout the day to “hear myself think,” as my mom used to say. And I am so thankful I can communicate with God all through the day.
Barbara, I need those quiet moments, too, and I don’t take them nearly often enough. I haven’t heard that saying in awhile. I think my mom must have used it, too. 🙂
Yes, God hears us anytime during the day and we don’t even need an appointment. I’m also thankful that I can communicate with Him all throughout the day.
Blessings to you!
I can hear the outdoors calling to me. Working inside 8+ hours a day certainly leaves me longing to be outdoors. I try to make a point to get out on the weekends. I loved your poem, but hope I don’t ever come across a snake in my path! Blessings!
I hear you, Barbie. When I had a job that kept me inside in a bldg. with few windows I really missed seeing the outdoors and being able to go out whenever I wanted. Glad you are able to get out on weekends.
I’m with you. I hope I never come across a snake on my path, either. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the poem. Blessing to you!
Hello Gayl! Beautiful poems and pictures, as usual. Very inspiring post. I’m going to check out Jamie’s blog. Have a wonderful day! 😀 xx
Thank you so much, Vashti! I’m so glad you were inspired. 🙂 I think you will enjoy Jamie’s blog and her poetry. Thanks for checking out her work. 🙂 You have a great day, too.
Blessings to you!
No woods near me, unless we drive a few hours. Just taking a daily walk in the desert revives the soul, too. My daughter and I were just naming some of the beautiful trees and flowers that grow in our neighborhood today. 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Literacy Musing Mondays.
I’m sure there are beautiful things in the desert, too. God has made our world with such variety to enjoy. Glad you and your daughter were able to notice some of the beauty today.
Blessings to you!