CONSIDER THE BUTTONBUSH
by Julie Lavender
On a recent afternoon at our family riverhouse, my husband
and I paddled downstream and wandered along the banks in a couple of places.
One of my favorite shrubs along the water’s edge is the buttonbush.
Named for the bulbous flower heads that are shaped more like
a pin cushion than a button, in my opinion, the blossoms are usually
cream-colored, but can be red or a pale pink, too.
The flowers of most buttonbushes have an extended growing
period, producing nectar and pollen when both are typically sparse on other plants
and shrubs. Which means insects love them!
Isn’t that just like God to provide for His creations
year-round?
And if God provides for those minute masterpieces, won’t He provide
for the human ones, too?
It’s nice to be reminded of God’s promises and
provisions.
And God is able to
bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you
need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
I just love when God uses nature to teach me life lessons!
What about you? Did God use nature to remind you of one of His promises? Share below about your walk with God this week. I'd love to hear from you.
I live in the Low Country of South Carolina. We moved here from Virginia. There are wonderful blessings of God's creations in every place. In Virginia, we enjoyed four distinct seasons. In SC, we enjoy the very warm temperatures and learning about different birds and of course, alligators. :-) What a comfort to know God has created everything for us to enjoy! We should pause and absorb His creations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments, Melissa, and I couldn't agree more about God's enjoying God's creations! His creativity never ceases to amaze me, and I am fascinated by his masterpieces!!
ReplyDeleteGod's design is so intricate we will never discover all the wonders! Beautiful photos and great thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI think you are completely right, Barbara - we will never discover all of His wonders, and that's what makes His creation-sightings so glorious, each time I get a glimpse of His masterpieces! Thanks for joining the conversation!
DeleteI have come to believe, like you I think, that God's lessons are as endless as the color palette He paints our world in each day. My best time of learning the lessons He has for me are when He and I are alone in thought and prayer. When immersed in nature, it seems He places a silent hush over everything around me. I smile when those quiet moments come, for I know He wants my heart to hear His. I love how you share God's lessons from nature with us. You bring us, if just for a few moments, into the peaceful stillness of Emmanuel... God with us. God's blessings ma'am.
ReplyDeleteWow - J.D. - you have such a way with words! I LOVE the idea of God placing a silent hush over everything so that I won't miss His beauty and His message for me through His creations - whatever that particular message may be at that moment!! God is with us, all the time, and I so feel His presence amongst His handmade creations of nature! Thanks for joining the conversation!
ReplyDeleteI loved learning about the Buttonbush and the connection you make with God and his protection and sovereignty. Thanks for this devotion and oh so important reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Candi! I just love love love God's creativity!! I am always in awe of His beautiful masterpieces and the way He teaches me lessons through His works! Thanks for commenting!!
ReplyDeleteJulie, I ALWAYS enjoy your posts and pictures. I agree, we can learn so much about God in His amazing creation. I had the privilege of going to Hawaii last week (my hubby surprised me). As I gazed at the waterfalls and flowers I had never seen, tears rolled down my cheeks in awe of the Lord. And when I swam in the ocean watching the sunset, I worshiped God's amazing glory on display in vivid color.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
OHHHHHHH - HAWAII!!!! My dream! I would like to go there sometime and to Alaska! I can drool over God's creations anywhere, but I would certainly like to experience His beauty in Hawaii for sure!!!! What an awesome experience for you, and I'm sure you were in such awe of His amazing glory for sure!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I'm a nature lover, too. I always enjoy your posts and learn so much. This week has been VERY hot for my outside chores. But, one evening we had a rain shower and then a COOL breeze. Ahh...it was so refreshing. I just love it when He blesses me that way. Sometimes the little things that we normally overlook or take for granted sneak in and remind me of the awesomeness of our Creator.
ReplyDeleteI love learning lessons from God's "little" things - though I remind myself often that nothing He created could ever truly be considered "little." I guess, little to my eyes, and I couldn't agree with you more that I often learn a bigger lesson from a seemingly "little" event or critter than I do from a "big" event or creation! Thanks so much for being so faithful to comment, Katherine!
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