Who says gray heather isn't beautiful?

Sitting on the bench, my mind drifts to a previous stroll. I followed a narrow path through the expansive heathland, pondering: why does the heather bloom only once? Why not every month? It looks so dull now.

Look, gray heather 👇

The Heather Cycle
But after some research on heather plants, I realized it's unfair to always expect blossoms. Heather has a life cycle synchronized with the seasons. First, it prepares for bloom, then it flourishes, produces seeds, takes a nap, and gears up for a new bloom.

Who Says Gray Heather Isn't Beautiful?
As I sit by a small heath field, the sun surprisingly breaks through, casting a golden glow over the pine trees. The heather is a shimmering spectacle! Who says gray heather isn't beautiful?

From My Diary
November 22

Garlands and Thoughts

Garlands with white pearls dangle from branch to branch: spiderweb threads with droplets. The wind gently blows through. It's like a party on the heath.

Who cares for the heath in its resting season? Who inspired me to take a walk? Who orchestrated this exact moment? Who grants me the ability to enjoy the sun, wind, and the sparkle of spiderweb threads? I look up: my God and Father.

End of diary excerpt

Capturing Glimmers and an Encounter
'Capture the glimmers!' whispers my camera. I grab my camera, but it's not cooperating; it looks more like a cold winter scene. A man strolls by, and his dog barks as if I committed a crime.

"Back in the day," the man says, "there was a path through the heath leading down. I'm going to see if I can find it."

Where's the Old Path?
Off he goes. I watch him until he becomes a tiny dot. His dog stops barking, and I see the man bending down to pick up the pup in his arms. Thus, he wrestles through the tall heather bushes downward. The path is overgrown. There's simply no path anymore. Or is there?

Eyes Closed, Listening
I'm 'glued' to the bench. It's better for my knee to take a real 15-minute break, so I close my eyes. Behind me, a titmouse chirps in the woods, and a finch. I also hear a leaf falling, and another... soft taps; as if it's raining. Whisper-soft.

Lesson from the Heather
When I open my eyes, the gray heather is still sparkling. It teaches me a lesson. Listen to what it says:

I, the heather...

💜 ... need rest to rejuvenate. So do you.
💜 ... need a gray season to find myself again. So do you.
💜 ... will bloom again. So will you.

From Gray to Glitter
And that glimmer? That's where I see my God. He brightens up my gray heath with unexpected encounters, the beauty of nature, the love of my husband, or His own promises. Yes: from gray to glitter.

Moving On
Refreshed, I rise from the bench and make my way downhill. Where no path seemed to be, there is a path.

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show." - Andrew Wyeth

🍂✨ What small (autumn) moment in nature has taught you a lesson?

Embracing the Beauty of the Mundane

About this forest stroll, I write nothing. I carefully spread my mat over the fallen tree trunk and take a seat. I write nothing because nothing out of the ordinary crosses my path.

Yet, should I write?
But today, I defy that notion. I write nonetheless. What was so special that compelled me to pick up my pen now?

From My Diary:
September 15

Just ten minutes ago, I was lying flat on the ground, taking photos (of a mushroom). Imagine if someone had seen me! They might have dialed 112 for help, like, "There's a woman in the forest!" Haha, but now it's break time. I have to 'wait for two trees' before continuing, which means the sun has to pass behind two spruces before I resume. I do this to give my knees a little more rest because they still ache. I sip coffee from my thermos and read a devotion. Today, it's about Haman and Mordechai from the book of Esther: Humble Faithfulness.

Can it be this simple? "Be faithful in the small things; He sees it!" I read it again and again. It feels like I've made a wonderful discovery. The sun slowly rises behind the trees. My break is over, and I feel content with what I read.

End of Diary Page

🌲 ... the pine trees in front of me (with the sun behind my finger)

Twinkle, Twinkle...
Have you ever walked on wet grass in the early morning? As the sun rises, dewdrops turn into - twinkle, twinkle - little stars. Each blade of grass becomes a work of art! When I read the devotion, something similar happened inside me. The ordinary became extraordinary in the light of God shining upon it.

What I Read 📖📱

The simplicity and plainness of Mordechai's life in just one sentence: "So Mordechai went back to the king's gate" (Esther 6:12). Mordechai didn't trumpet his own achievements, as Haman did when he returned from Queen Esther's first banquet (5:11-12). Although he was paraded through the city unexpectedly, he simply returned to his usual place.

There's something appealing about humble faithfulness: just doing what we do day in and day out, not seeking praise but because it's the right thing to do. It may not seem like much at the time, but when children and grandchildren look back on the lives of their faithful parents and grandparents, they often say things like, "She always did this," "He always sat there," "She always prayed there," or "His Bible was always here."

Mordechai did what was right because it was right, not for recognition. Today, let it be enough that you do what is right in the eyes of God, whether you are honored by those around you, like Mordechai, or quickly forgotten like many faithful believers throughout history. One day, all things will fall into place, and honor will be given where it's due. In the meantime, set aside any desire for personal recognition and continue with your daily routine with faithfulness and humility.

~~<><><><>~~

The Sun Rises Over the Ordinary
Do you see the sun rising over the simplicity and plainness of your life? I saw it, and that's why I decided to write about that ordinary walk today, even though it's been over a week. Because it's not about the big things.

God Sees It
I can be who I am in the simplicity and plainness of my life. Being faithful in the small things, knowing my God notices. He sees it.

Contentment in all circumstances is a great art, a spiritual secret. It must be learned, and learned as a secret. You don't attain it through a mathematical formula or the alignment of ideal circumstances. And if our journey to contentment is a work of art, God Himself is the Artist. Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

Rainy Day Today
Today, I'm wrapping up this little blog post. I wrote it in three stages. Right now, I don't see twinkle-twinkle stars; instead, rain is streaking down my writing room window. But I still picked up my pen to share who God is to me and for all my brothers and sisters worldwide in our ordinary everyday lives.

☀️🌙🌸 Spurgeon puts it beautifully:

As the sun is to the day,

As the moon is to the night,

As the dew is to the flower,

— so is Jesus Christ to us!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. I have prayed for you so that your faith may not waver. Do not be afraid. I am here, do not be dismayed. I am your Shield and your exceedingly great Reward." C.H. Spurgeon from: A Cure for Care

🌞💎 The simplicity of life shines like a diamond when awakened by God's smile

Do you feel the same way?
That some ordinary moments, once taken for granted, now hold more value in your memories?

Where's my walking stick?

There is my bike! I feel relief now that I'm finally back after my forest walk in the sticky heat. Quickly, I put my backpack in my bike bag. But then, I startle.

😱 My walking stick is gone. Where is it, and will I find it again?

I don't know where I left my walking stick.

I look around indecisively, trying to remember where I left it. I can't recall. One thing I do know: I had it with me when I entered the forest.

Suspiciously, I glance at the man coming out of the woods. Does he have my stick? No, his walking stick has a different color. I trudge back into the forest. Not fun! You should know that Prattenburg Hill is about 53 meters high, and I'm climbing it for the second time in one hour. My muscles protest.

😱 Where is my walking stick?

Don't fall without the stick ⚠️

When I'm nearly at the top, I suddenly remember that I left it at the bottom of the hill by the picnic bench while taking pictures of the grass. Duh! I hauled myself up the hill for nothing. I turn around and walk down along the gravel path with flushed cheeks. A few pebbles roll beneath my feet; I twist my ankle a bit.

Don't fall without the stick...

I think it will be alright. Just a few more steps... yes, I see it! I trudge through the wet grass to the picnic bench, grab my stick, and triumphantly raise it in the air.

From my diary
September 4th

When I shared my story about my walking stick, J said, 'Typical you (forgetting things) and it fits exactly with what God taught you." I thought, huh, is that so? But now that I'm writing in my diary, I know he's right. Today, I forgot my walking stick because of my focus on the beauty in the grass. But you can also forget things (or people) because you're too focused on the difficult things. That's what I've been doing in recent weeks. I couldn't see a way out ... It seemed hopeless, but I forgot that the Lord in new difficult situations is the same God as before. While reading a Christian blog, God surprised me with the question: 'Do you not remember?' [1] He opened my eyes to Himself again. I had counted Him out. That's what J. meant when he said, 'Typical you and exactly what God taught you.'

I often don't understand the bigger picture. But God does, and He wants me to remember that He keeps His promises, and I can trust Him when I can't figure things out myself.

My Walking Stick is my walking - BFF

🙈 Seriously, I have a tendency to forget things quite often. I forgot my sitting pad three times. Someone in Putten and someone in Veenendaal is probably enjoying them now. [2] The other one stayed in our vacation home. Well, they're not expensive, so we bought a new one. (well, if I'm completely honest, J. even bought two of them, just in case I'd forget one again). 

But forgetting my walking stick? That's a whole different story! I've had this for just a few months, it wasn't cheap, and honestly, it's my walking-BFF! [3]

💪 Extra stability on forest paths
😌 Reduces strain on my pelvis
📸 Helps me get up after photo adventures
🥋 Self-defense: scary people and animals
🕸️ Spiderweb removal aid

~~<><><><>~~

God is more than a tool

J. made some comparisons between my walking stick and 'sticks in the Bible,' like Moses'. You know, when God asks, 'What is in your hand?' [4] But that didn't quite fit because it wasn't a stick in Moses' hand but a staff. And I thought, God is not a passive tool for me. Yes, He provides stability and hope and helps me clear the cobwebs in my thoughts - those are definitely things He does. But I long for Him more than for His actions. That's why I carry a pang of regret for momentarily losing sight of Him. Yet, He found me.

Hallelujah 🙏✨🔥

"The only thing faster than the speed of thought is the speed of forgetfulness. Good thing we have other people to help us remember." — Vera Nazarian

😄🧠 What's the most remarkable thing you've ever forgotten and later remembered?

[1] Remembering, Donna from Serenity in Suffering

[2] Putten and Veenendaal are villages in The Netherlands

[3] Walking - BFF = Most Dutch people understand this English abbreviation "BFF," but older Dutch people do not.

[4] What Is In Your Hand? 💡 (Our Daily Bread)