Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement — Lily Pads

The lake teamed with life, both plant and animal life. The interesting view of varied grasses punctuated with groups of lily pads called for us to sit and enjoy the scene. We spotted a crane land and watched him fish for his breakfast. We heard his rasping call. Every morning the large white lily blooms opened to greet me when I slipped past sleeping family and out the door to enjoy the scene. Every evening they closed their petals into a ball resting upon its wide green leaf. The lilies on the pond flourished. A few of our party wove a kayak around the grasses and among the lilies for a close up view of the frogs that leaped from pad to pad. The water lilies were larger than any I’d seen before. The water lilies routine was implanted in their cells. They opened and closed with the sun.

We can take a lesson from the lily. Are we pushing ourselves too hard and missing the rhythm of rest that our cells need? With the invention of electric lights, the temptation is to go, go, go cheating ourselves of proper rest. God has a rhythm for us that replenishes and allows us to greet each morning with the bloom of refreshment. Regardless of deadlines, daily rest and refreshing helps our creative juices to thrive.

Mary Tatem is the author of eight books, including her most recent re-release, The Quilt of Life.