The word truth is the Five Minute Friday word for this past week. I am a little late with mine, but I have not been idle.
The truth is, I couldn’t seem to find the words to write, but I did spend more time outside.
My garden needed attention, and I needed the exercise and the fresh air. While outdoors I looked for beauty and found it in many places. Truth can be found in creation. I took photos, wrote haiku and must have found words, because I went slightly over five minutes.
What is truth?
Many people are divided over that question. Thinking about truthfulness, the word honesty comes to mind. When we ask questions, we expect that the answer given us will be true.
But what happens when people see things from different vantage points? Each tells a different story, but which is true? Or are they both true but told from different perspectives.
Sometimes we jump to conclusions before we have heard the whole story or seen all the evidence.
We have been watching “Father Brown” on Netflix. It is a series loosely based on G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown stories.
The inspector in the series is always jumping the gun based on circumstantial evidence. But Father Brown is slow and methodical, thinking things through and asking questions.
Eventually, he uncovers the facts and always seems to confound the inspector.
That is why it is important to listen, weigh the facts and then make a decision or come to a conclusion. I know at times I came to a wrong conclusion with my kids, because I answered before actually listening to all that they wanted to say.
God has been teaching me to “hold my tongue” more, especially in the area of politics. I don’t like the way people accuse others, and even Christians can be very unkind. It seems to me the best way is to learn to listen to each other and together search for the truth.
Truth Sets You Free
In the Bible we are told that the truth will set us free. Jesus said that he is the way, the truth and the life. He is truth personified. By the sacrifice of his life and subsequent Resurrection, he made it possible for us to have life eternal. He has set us free from the chains that would bind us and hold us down.
(John 14:5-6 NIV)
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #Glimpses, #InspireMeMonday, #MomentsofHope, #LMMLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #porchstories, #CoffeeforYourHeart, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday
Your haikus along with their photos are so refreshing to my soul, Gayl. Thank you. Also for your thoughts on truth. Yes, our hearts are so prone to jump to conclusions, aren’t they? I know I have been guilty of that. May we seek God’s truth always! And love! Love and hugs to you!
I’m so glad they are refreshing to you, Trudy! That encourages me, too. Yes, I have jumped to conclusions far too many times. Thankfully God does forgive and helps us. Yes, may we always seek God’s truth.
Many blessings to you with love and hugs! xoxo
Dear Gayl,
Thank you for sharing these thoughts about truth. I agree with you that it is “so important to listen and weigh the facts,” and I think you show how poetry has a way of causing us to do just that. When I read your poems, I slow down and listen to a picture that you paint of what is really right in front of me. And I can’t just hurry on through, expecting that I already understand everything. I am so grateful for the gift of poetry and the way God Himself uses it to touch our hearts to listen for the truth! Your words are lovely dear friend! Blessings, love, and hugs to you!
Dear Bettie,
I am so glad my poems help you to slow down and listen and minister to you. It encourages me to know that my words encourage others.
I, too, am thankful for the gift of poetry and how God uses it in our lives. Thank you so much for your encouragement, dear Bettie.
Blessings, love and hugs right back to you! xoxo
Wonderful post!
Thank you so much, Bette!
Blessings to you!
Enjoyed your post, Gayl! I especially like that you went outside and the thoughts on Truth began to percolate.
I didn’t make it over to Five-Minute Friday this week, but the Scriptures you brought up about Jesus being the Way, the Truth, and the Life were the ones I was going to share as well.
Glad I stopped by from Glimpses of His Beauty.
Blessings,
Janis
Thank you, Janis! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I guess the words came to me not all at once, but I thought about them the different times I was outside over a couple of days. 🙂
There is still time for you to write for Five Minute Friday! 🙂 I don’t think it closes for a few more days, so maybe you’ll get time to do it.
Blessings to you! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Ohh! Now I’m going to have to look into the Father Brown series :). It’s so important to be willing to look at things from multiple perspectives!
You’ll probably enjoy the series, Anita! I do think the written stories are much better, but the series is great. Mark Williams is Father Brown. In case you aren’t familiar with him, he’s Ron Weasley’s father in the Harry Potter series. 🙂
Yes, I’m learning just how important it is to see things from different perspectives. It’s really interesting how we can see things so differently sometimes.
Blessings to you and thanks for visiting, Anita!
Enjoyed your post. I am refreshed in the garden,too. The photos and haiku poetry are lovely! You are right–as we pursue truth it is so important to listen. And read the Word. And pray.
Thank you, Carol. I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, there is something about gardening that is relaxing even though it is also work. Yes, reading the Word and praying are very beneficial in leading us to the truth!
Blessings to you!
Love the bible verses you used here. Good post! Thanks for visiting.
Thank you, Sherry! Yes, I love those verses.
Blessings to you!
I love this post on truth. You also gave the perfect example in Father Brown. I have been watching that show too. I love the idea of slow and methodical- not jumping to conclusions. Thank you for your wisdom and life examples.
Thank you, Mary! Yes, as I was writing I was reminded of Father Brown and it just seemed to fit. 🙂 Isn’t it a good show? 🙂
Thanks for visiting and for your encouragement, Mary. Blessings to you!
So true, Gayl. I read something this week that made me think of this very thing. The importance of knowing the whole story…because hurt happens when we rush usually. Stepping back and contemplating these things is good. Thanks for linking up!
Meghan, you are right. Hurt can easily happen when we rush. It’s so much better to take time to learn the whole story. 🙂
Blessings to you! Thanks for hosting the linkup!
This is beautiful! From the photos to the poetry to the truth! (Ha… ya see what I did there?) – I loved it! I agree… politics can be so polarizing and hard. I’m never a fan of the demonization of either party (or all parties) and creating a more divided ‘us’ and ‘them’! I’m learning to stay quiet and in prayer in these circumstances as well!
Karrilee, thank you so much! I’m glad you loved it. 🙂 I think the ability to stay quiet and to pray is often the best thing we can do. If we are sensitive to God’s leading we will know when to speak and when to keep silent. 🙂
Blessings to you, dear sister! xoxo
Gayle, I love your flower haiku poems! Wise words about truth, too! I enjoyed visiting here today!
Thank you so much, Leslie! I’m glad you visited, too!
For some reason WordPress had your comment in spam and I didn’t see it until now. I don’t know how it chooses what it thinks it spam. 🙁
Have a wonderful weekend! Blessings to you!
Gayl, I love your haikus and the beautiful pictures! Isn’t it so cool how creation can inspire us to create? Thanks for taking the time to share some truth with us and thanks for linking up with #TuneInThursday this week. See you next time!
Thank you so much, Debbie! Yes, I love the inspiration I get from being outside. 🙂
Many blessings to you!
Hello Gayl, you are a wise woman! Thank you for sharing lessons from the movie you are watching! You have shared the important habit of listening twice before speaking.
I need that this morning.
Thank you for all the support you have shown in the Bible Study Group…
I hope we do Romans together with less tugs here and there. I am happy we concluded the 2 Samuel study today..A 2 week break is more than required at this time. Don’t you think so? 😉
God Bless Gayl
Thanks, Ifeoma! I need to remind myself to listen closely before speaking and making decisions. 🙂
I’ve enjoyed the Bible Study and look forward to Romans! But, yes, I agree we definitely need a break. 🙂
Blessings to you, dear sister! xo
It’s so interesting how God works! I have been saving this post in my browser because I wanted to make sure to read it. Of course, this crazy life of mine has kept me from much of anything blogging related lately, so it sat there in an open tab. Today I finally got the chance and OH how it spoke to me! I’ve been so grumpy this week. Like never before! It’s really not like me, but I was simply irritated by everything and everyone! ARGH! But this post gave me such insight to what my grumpiness was doing. It was pushing me away from seeing different perspectives. Thanks, friend! And thank you for joining me at #MomentsofHope!
Hugs,
Lori
Lori, you don’t know how this warms my heart! It is definitely interesting the way God works. I’m so glad this spoke to you. It’s something I need to remind myself, too. I’ve had plenty of those grumpy days, so I understand how they come about. I’m glad you were able to see the other perspectives. It’s so hard not to be grumpy sometimes, especially if we are tired or have had an extra hard day or week.
Many blessings to you, dear Lori! I hope you have a good week. 🙂 xo
Gayle this post speaks deeply to what I also believe. Quite a few years ago I ran an outdoor science center where we taught God’s truth through studying creation. The lessons we drew from design alone were rich and impactful. I adore creation!
Crystal, I’m so glad this resonated with you! There is so much beauty in creation and we often miss it because we are so busy. We can learn so much if we just pay attention. Thanks so much for visiting and sharing your thoughts.
Blessings to you, dear sister! xo
Hello Gayl! I hope you’re feeling well. Your haiku and corresponding pictures are beautiful, as are your words. Since the elections there has been so much animosity between Americans. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s very sad.
Hi Vashti! Nice to have you visit! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and haiku. 🙂 I know what you mean about the animosity. It is so sad. We should be looking for common ground, not keep tearing apart.
Blessings to you, my friend!