Long one of my favorite flowers, their location in one of my front gardens sends me on my way in the morning; and welcomes me home at day’s end. Cheerful and unassuming, they whisper the ease of embracing the morning, with innocent hope for the day. Even on the cloudiest of days, their sunny personalities never fail in bringing a smile to my lips.
Welcome back to the garden for a time of Garden Grace, where we allow God to reveal Himself through His creation. Once a month we linger together gleaning all He has for us through the beauty of plants, trees, animals and insects. I can’t wait to share my most recent discovery with you!
embracing a new day
Noticing the changes within the garden at various times of day, reminds me of the vibrancy and uniqueness of the plants and flowers. Far from static ornaments, the plants of the garden share a secret life we rarely observe.
Endowed with characteristics reflecting their Creator, each plant and flower moves through the day proclaiming His glory and beauty to every eye poised to see.
More than embracing a new day, the daisy’s slender petals open with the sunrise in a symphony of praise, embracing the morning with a greeting of pure Joy. Their golden stamen reflecting the glory of the sun, until their petals once again close with the sunset.
Daisies infinite Uplift in praise their little growing hands, O’er every hill that under heaven expands.
Ebenezer Elliott
the promise of morning
Daisies long associated with the innocence of new birth, fascinate me with their delicate opening with the promise of morning. But they charm me even more as they, like the sunflower, follow the sun from east to west each day.
As if embedded in their DNA, a daisy never fails in following the sun from sunrise to sunset, even on the cloudiest of days.
Upon reflection, I sit humbled at the tireless position of praise upheld by daisy petals throughout each day. Unaffected by circumstance, weather or whim, the daisy’s gaze remains upward.
embracing the morning with the daisies
Lingering with the garden hose in hand, I marvelled at the quiet simplicity of the lessons spoken by the daisies. What might embracing the morning with the daisies encompass? Even more, what might an unwavering gaze upon my Creator produce in my life?
- Embrace. As the daisy opens wide to embrace the morning, instead of rushing into my day, or dreading what awaits, I might open my hands in welcome praise. Anticipating God’s goodness in my day. (Psalm 59:16)
- Receive. In the same way the daisy represents new beginnings and innocence, may I receive God’s gift of a new day. Pure and full of His new mercies, I enter the day with a mind free of judgement, completely forgiven before God. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
- Nurture. Following the daisy’s example of steadfastly attending the sun’s light throughout the day; nurturing my focus godward maintains a proper perspective on the events of my day. Birthing an attitude of praise which extends from sunrise to sunset. (Psalm 113:3)
- Reflect. At day’s end, when the daisy gently closes in rest at the setting of the sun, may I redeem a time of quiet reflection in the Presence of God. Lingering over His absolutel goodness, and savoring the times I heard Him speak. Ultimately resting in His secure peace and promise of unfailing love. (Psalm 4:8, Psalm 143:8)
embracing the morning
One of the least pretentious flowers in my garden, the daisy gifted me the simple grace of embracing the morning as it is, a miracle gift from God. Without grandiose expectation, or imposing my keen desires upon it.
But beyond receiving each day with eager anticipation of God’s goodness, the gentle daisy reminded me of God’s new mercies and faithfulness emerging with each sunrise. Calling me to gaze upon His goodness throughout my days, filling my moments with praise and gratitude.
Closing each day, embracing the fullness of God’s peace in rest, holding the promise that word of His unfailing love will greet me again with the next sunrise.
I love this whole idea of embracing the morning, Donna. His mercies are new every morning and our gratitude for a fresh new day should be our theme as our feet hit the floor.
Thanks for this encouragement.
Linda, I never used to be a “morning person”, but as I have grown in my relationship with God over the years, mornings have become my favorite time of day! Praise God He meets us with the beauty of His new mercies every day!
Embrace, Receive, Nurture, Reflect – I love the parallel image of how we might be like the daisy. As a visual person, I really appreciate these thoughts!
Thank you, Amy, I love how God teaches us His truths from His creation!
Beautiful insights, Donna! I didn’t realize that the daisy was similar to the sunflower in following the sun. May we be as faithful in following the Son of God.
Thank you, Lisa! Actually I never knew the daisy was so like the sunflower either, isn’t our God just amazing??!!
Donna, my sister has promised me some daisies from her flowerbed this fall, and thanks to your words here, I’m looking forward to them even more. I love the life lessons you gleaned from observing these simple flowers.
Lois, I love when God teaches us something about Himself through His creation! Good luck with your daisies, they always make me smile!
I had not looked at daisy’s that way! I didn’t know they followed the sun like sunflowers. I’ve planted sunflowers this year, and they are still developing. I look forward to when I can watch them turning to the sun. A great reminder to be turned to God so we can grow in His beauty and grace.
Lynn, I was amazed at how much I learned about daisies this month! I love them for their cheerfulness. How awesome you planted sunflowers this year! I just love the way God teaches us important truths right from His beautiful creation!
“As if embedded in their DNA, a daisy never fails in following the sun from sunrise to sunset, even on the cloudiest of days.” Donna, this post was beautiful encouragement tonight. May I never fail to follow my Creator even on the cloudiest of days.
Joanne, rejoicing you found the words of this post encouraging! I love the thought of keeping my face towards the Son, even on the cloudiest of days too!
If I’m honest, I’ve never really given the daisies much consideration. Sigh. But if they love the mornings, they are a flower for me:) I loved your lessons learned from such a simple garden flower. I am grateful for this season of life where I can slowly enjoy – even savor – the mornings. The pace of life now allows me to soak in all that a new day offers and, yes, to praise Him as another begins. I need to work more on “receiving” each of those new days and anticipating whatever He might have for the hours ahead.
Jennifer, I am learning so much by slowing down whenever I can. At our previous house we had more daisies than I could even count, yet I didn’t pay them much mind either. I am so thankful for this lesson from the garden to embrace , better, “receive” each day the Lord gives me with joy. I look forward to the day I can savor my days at a slower pace too!
Oh, I love daisies too! I only had about a dozen bloom this year. But even those were unexpected, so they were a delight. I’ll plant some new ones next spring. May I follow their example to open wide to embrace my day in welcome praise to God. Thanks for these words, Donna.
Lisa, it’s funny how some years the daisies bloom better than others. I find they are among our most resilient flowers, enduring all types of weather! I so enjoyed this lesson from the garden, and want to follow the daisies’ example too!
Donna, I love the beauty of your post and how we can learn from the daisy – embrace, receive, nurture, reflect.❤
Thank you for your kind words, Deborah! I love how God uses His creation to reveal truths to us!
A lovely post, so peaceful…
Thank you, Jan, it is always my goal to bring serenity to my readers’ days!
Psalm 113:3 will be my focus today. Thank you, dear friend, for this thoughtful post.
Thank you, my sweet sister! Great verse to carry with you throughout the day!