“I hope it gives you joy,” she said.
I found a terrarium kit and a Green Bean Peperomia plant at a nursery. The clerk’s comment still warms my heart, and I thank God for people like her.
So what really is joy? I used to criticize myself more for not feeling “joy,” because I thought of it more as exuberance. But I know now that in a spiritual sense, it is more a deeply-rooted, inspired happiness within us. A depth of contentment in Christ.
“The word that describes happiness, joy, well-being in the Bible, is shalom. And it’s a term that covers all the different parts of who we are. Emotional, psychological, spiritual, relational. It’s really what we crave when we are talking about truly being happy with that sense of deep well-being.” ~ Holley Gerth course of 7 Ways to Thrive as an Introvert
So in that sense, plants do give me joy. 🙂 They bring life into our home. When colder weather settles into my bones and winter weariness drains my limited energy supply, they warm and rejuvenate my heart. They are visible testimonies that the life of every living thing is in God’s hand. They are beacons of hope and light, reminding me that our Life-Giver also has our every breath in His hand.
Reminders of God’s faithfulness revitalize me. Birds remind me of God’s faithful loving care. And you know how much I love butterflies. 🙂 My sister once surprised me with some flowers, and she had asked the floral shop to include a butterfly. After the flowers died, I slipped the butterfly into my cactus pot.
It seems these uncertain days and the increasing troubles in life require us more and more to open our eyes to beauty, to wonder, to what reminds us there is still hope. To refresh, refuel, and revitalize our sinking spirits.
What gives you joy? What refreshes your heart? Do you take time for it? Or do you think it’s a waste of time to pause in life to do something that revives your spirit? Maybe an uncompleted to-do list weighs you down? Perhaps depression has smothered the longing even to look up and search for joy?
“You know what makes your heart refreshed,
the things that make you come alive.
We need to drink in beauty wherever we can get it—
in music, in nature, in art, in a great meal shared.
These are all gifts to us from God’s generous heart.
Friends, those things are not
decorations to a life, they bring life.”
John Eldredge
In the way God has designed you, what makes you come alive? What gift from God’s heart especially enlivens your spirit and helps you to remember God’s truth and faithfulness?
Faithfulness
by Hillsong
Freed to Fly 
Oh, your indoor plants are so lovely and cheerful, Trudy! I can absolutely see how they give you joy and peace on a daily basis as they remind you of God’s presence in His creation. I love butterflies, too, and have saved one that came with a floral arrangement for my late MIL. It is on my side table next to my computer desk where I can see it often. Although I don’t have any indoor plants, our forested landscape brings me such joy and consolation, especially in these trying times.
May we all remember that God is in every facet of our lives!
Blessings!
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I love that you have a butterfly to remind you, too, Martha. 🙂 You are blessed to be in the midst of forested landscape. You have such a peaceful view of God’s created world. I can easily see how it consoles you in these trying times. “May we all remember that God is in every facet of our lives!” Amen! Blessings to you, too!
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Dear Trudy,
Seeing your plants in your kitchen brought me joy! Let me know how your little terrarium keeps growing! My maidenhair fern survived all winter in the glass jar I designed for it, but then did not survive the move outside. Maybe I need to find another one for this new season. It is so easy to become so accustomed to the same four walls, and miss the joy that God has planted within the middle of our days. Thank you for your beautiful reminder! And that is such a beautiful song too! He is so very faithful to us! Blessings and love to you dear friend!
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I’m so glad my plants brought you joy, Bettie. 🙂 I’m so sorry your maidenhair fern didn’t survive the move outside. I just looked them up, and they’re beautiful plants. Yes, maybe getting another one for your home will brighten your days. 🙂 Yes, God is so faithful! May we never forget to keep running into the open arms of our faithful God whose love never, ever fails! Blessings and love to you, too!
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I’m glad your plants bring you joy, Trudy! I especially love your fairy garden. Nature is definitely one of the things that points me to God and reminds me of his faithfulness. I always love the photos you share from your brother, and spending time outside walking in the park or by the sea is another thing that brings me joy. Love and blessings to you!
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The fairy garden is my favorite, too, Lesley. Thank you for sharing what brings you joy. Nature truly does point us to God and remind us of His faithfulness. That must be so calming to walk by the sea. Love and blessings to you, too! May our hearts always be in awe of God’s beauty and faithfulness in His creation!
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I love all your plants, Trudy … the way you have them arranged is so sweet! Plants–inside and out–bring me joy too, now more than ever! Hugs, friend!
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Like you, plants inside and out bring me joy, too, more than ever, Lois. It seems this uncertain time has given me a deeper appreciation. And I remember how much you love working in your flower garden. Digging into the dirt with our hands and planting something somehow relaxes us, doesn’t it? Hugs to you, too! May we find deep joy in these gifts God gives us!
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What a beautiful, peaceful and joyful indoor garden area you have created with your lovely plants, Trudy! I love how they are decorated with symbols of sacred remembrance. Nature always lifts my spirits and brings me joy. Like you, I used to think that joy stood for exuberance, an enthusiastic attitude to life I could rarely muster, never mind live up to as my given name. Now I realise it’s gentler than I thought, more of a calm, restful contentment in the heart than a person prone to partying a lot! My soul has yearned for plants. Last year I was bought a Hebe plant for my front garden. It flowered in late spring and has just started showing its purple flowers again. A double blessing. Our living room currently hosts a snake plant , plus a mix of brightly coloured roses and a fragrant gardenia which were recent birthday gifts. It warms my heart to see them each day, and I so appreciated looking at your own display. Blessings, love and hugs! xo 😊❤️
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Thank you, Joy. I like how you call the decorations “symbols of sacred remembrance.” So true. You have a beautiful way with words. 🙂 That hebe plant must be so beautiful. I’m so glad you’re surrounded with lovely plants in your living room, too. 🙂 By the way, Happy Belated Birthday! Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May we experience an ever deeper contentment in Christ who cares so much about every detail of our lives!
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Thanks for sharing your refreshing spaces, Trudy! Having mementoes to remind us of of God’s faithfulness brings peace and joy to our homes. Being outside brings me joy, especially when among the trees, of course!
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I’m so glad you found this refreshing, Lynn. Yes, the trees speak volumes, don’t they? And if they could literally speak, they would have lots of stories to tell. 🙂 I always love your outdoor photos. May the truth of God’s faithfulness bring peace and joy to our hearts!
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Your plants are so pretty. There is so much to learn from plants and their growth. Walking and being outside brings me joy. But ultimately my joy comes from knowing God.
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Thank you, Mary. Yes, ultimately our joy is in Jesus. 🙂 I’m so grateful He gives us lessons of His faithfulness through His creation. May we come to an ever deeper knowledge of God and His love and faithfulness!
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I should create a fairy garden myself. I have plants all over my home; I do find them life-giving. In these months of anxiety, I could use those signs of hope. Thanks, Trudy!
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Yes, I’m sure you could create one, Lisa. 🙂 We certainly need those signs of hope in these months of anxiety. May the God of all hope breathe His comfort into our hearts!
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