An Involuntary Smile

This week we will celebrate Tea With Jennifer’s blogversary!

Can you believe it’s been this long since we started meeting here together in 2018, enjoying our weekly cuppas together? It’s gone so fast!

But it’s truly a delightful miracle of God, especially in this time of chronic health issues. Praise Him!

Seasons

It’s Summer here in Australia, although it’s been the mildest & wettest I can remember, which I have enjoyed immensely! It seems the older I get the less I enjoy extreme temperatures.

I believe nature agrees, as I’ve noticed that the rain & milder weather has produced some beautiful lush growth, in fact the Crepe Myrtles are truly magnificent this year.

Before we continue let’s grab our cuppa’s, I have prepared a tea blend called Orange blossom & ginger.

Our tasty treat is a Gf strawberry muffin made with homegrown strawberries, freshly picked from our garden.

We’ll go outside to enjoy the sunshine today, surrounded by blossoms & the intoxicating fragrance of Summer here.

The fruity taste of both the tea & muffins are a perfect combination, absolutely delightful in this warm setting.

Now we are seated & comfy, we will enjoy our time of reflection together…

Driving through the countryside

On my way to enjoy a holiday treat with my grandson last week, I decided to take a quiet drive on the back road that winds through the countryside, rather than the busy direct route via the highway.

As I was driving through the undulating hills & farmland, I saw grazing horses, cattle & goats, with their new kids frolicking.

Saw large bales of Lucerne lined up in the paddocks awaiting collection for storage.

And I was delighted to see the huge variety of colors that Crepe Myrtle’s come in, of which I haven’t noticed in years!

Their beauty this year is absolutely breathtaking! There were reds, pinks, purples & whites in all their various shades!

Have you noticed that we don’t seem to distinguish individual bushes, trees or plants against the backdrop of greenery until they bloom in all their glorious color?

There’s a lesson in that for us…Don’t you think?

As Jesus taught us the following;

Let your light so shine before others that they may see your love for them by your consideration & will give praise, honor & glory to your heavenly Father.

Matt 5:16 Paraphrased

Food for thought…

As I drove along this country back road, the aroma of the blossoming countryside combined with the scent of the live stock, the freshly cut Lucerne & the farmers working their fields, I found myself involuntary smiling.

Have you found yourself doing that at times?

My mind in that moment had flooded with sweet, sweet memories of my late husband.

The familiar aromas of the countryside had evoked memories of a time in my life when I’d had amazing health & bountiful energy.

Working alongside my wonderful man in the paddocks, stock yards & in the shearing shed as we worked the farm together.

It was a sweet drive enjoying moments in a time that is forever etched upon my heart.

Of a man who demonstrated his love in such amazing ways of consideration for me, of which I had not experienced before.

And as the scripture says above, I do give honor, glory & praise to my heavenly Father for Ed’s love & our precious life together.

That we had before he lost his battle with brain cancer.

At times the past is but a sweet memory away, bringing such unexpected blessing & joy to us in the present & before we realize it we find ourselves smiling!

A sobering thought to ponder…

I often ponder, how people remember their time with me.

Does it bring them a smile & praise to our heavenly Father or something else? Hmmm, definitely a sobering thought! Don’t you think?

What situation have you found yourself smiling in dear friend?

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

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© 2021 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photos by Griffin Wooldridge on Pexels.com 

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