I didn’t dare tell anyone I had grown soft for Nebraska. But on the inside, I found myself marveling at the astounding vastness of the cornflower blue skies that unfurled each morning right over my head. I was captivated by the way the sunlight skipped around on actual amber waves of grain. I hiked trails through the prairie and took my time, gazing at columbine and prairie grass and monarch butterflies feeding on goldenrod. I rode my bicycle on miles and miles of straight, flat trails, with cluttered thoughts falling from my mind with each round of the pedals and frogs singing to me from the tall grasses that lined the trail. I stood stock-still and watched the most fantastic sunset and then turned in the other direction and practically fell into the harvest moon . . .
But spending time in the middle of the wilderness had changed me . . .
But remember, the glory of God is in the wilderness. As much as we want to resist it, in the wilderness of our lives, God works to transform us more and more into the image of his Son and a reflection of his character.
~Deidra Riggs in Every Little Thing: Making a World of Difference Right Where You Are
In the stillness,
Sandy
EXTRA!
I have an extra copy of Every Little Thing to give away.
Just leave a comment by Wednesday, and I’ll high-techly select a winner
by drawing a name from a basket.
Welcome to the Still Saturday Community where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and reflect on the depth of sparse words. We’d love for you to join us. Grab the button and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to be still together, to gaze long and drink deep.
The prairie sounds wonderful and totally different from city lights. Finding joy in all circumstances 🙂
Patti
Patricia Krank recently posted..Stilettos & God
Just reading her description is calming, right? And can’t you feel those cluttered thoughts dropping?
Pick me! Pick me!
😀 😀
I’d love to have a copy of her inspiring and beautiful writing – like everyone else here! :)Thanks for the giveaway!
Pam recently posted..Day 10: What Angels Hearken To
Crossing my fingers for you, Pam. 🙂
It`s so true !
Greetings from Germany
Jutta K.Deutschland recently posted..Sky’s bird
We don’t want to admit it, though, do we Jutta? I’m so glad you traveled so far to join us. 🙂
This looks like a wonderful book! I always enjoy visiting your site, Sandra. It’s like taking a breath of fresh air and is good for my soul!
Blessings to you, sister!
Tehila
Tehila recently posted..A Mom Conference You Can Attend Right From Your Own Home
Blessings to you, Sheila. Your comment makes me smile.
Don’t you just love “Every Little Thing”? I’m giving away a copy, too. (So don’t include me in the drawing) Have a wonderful weekend, my beautiful friend. xoxox
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek recently posted..Still Saturday::to hear His gentle whisper…
I know… right? I hope you had a beautiful weekend, friend. The weather was gorgeous here yesterday.
No need to include me in the drawing either — I just finished Deidra’s book last night, and when I read your excerpt this morning, immediately recognized it!
Blessed weekend to you!
Michele Morin recently posted..9 Names that Belong on Your Bookshelf
Yay. I hope you had a beautiful weekend, Michele. Maybe you took a walk and gazed on the goldenrod?
Wonderful words reminding me to seek Him in my wilderness—
Thank you for offering the giveaway.
He’s there, Beverly. Hugs to you.
Love your high techly way of drawing the gift, I was thinking of doing the same thing for my husband’s business giveaway.
Lizzy recently posted..Carrying What You Do Not Need to Carry – Day 10
I like to be on the cutting edge. 😉
More wilderness, yes! More of the wildness of God!
Wilderness and wildness. Yes. (Nice to see you, Lane. 🙂 )
“The glory of God is in the wilderness” If even Jesus spent time in the wilderness, then maybe I can/should, too. It’s a rough, wild place, sometimes filled with thorns, but always beautiful. Glory!
Constance Morrison recently posted..Dust Devil
Some of the best things happen there, yes?
Sandra, sometimes our wilderness is just the place we need to be in all our weakness…our sorrow…our feeling alone…the place we go to be found by God…He is always with us, but sometimes we forget…
Yes and yes… and yes.
What can I say except I met God *for realz* in my own place of wilderness. Those of us who truly love Him….when we say “Here am I, Lord…” well, that’s typically our next destination in the journey; Wilderness Training.
Lorretta recently posted..Feeding the Deepest Hungers
Next stop… Wilderness Training. So true… And sometimes we circle back…
I’ve just started seeing this book on social media! It definitely looks like a great read! New to your link up! Glad to be here! Thanks for hosting 🙂
Anastasia recently posted..Messy Beautiful Love Book Review
Welcome, Anastasia! I’m so glad you’re here.
Oh I love this!! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this book, I can’t wait to read it for myself!!
You’ll love it, Abby. You’re kind of living in your own wilderness right now, too, right?
Ah, the wilderness… Not a favorite for the discomfort, but a must for seeing more of our God. It’s about trust. Whatever season He decides for us, it’s a good season. 🙂 Thanks Sandra!
Jason Stasyszen recently posted..I Watch Expectantly
I know, right? We need to keep reminding each other of that.
Beautiful words from a beautiful lady, thank you for sharing!
June recently posted..Inspired by . . . Day 10: His Character, Immutable
Beautiful words from one beautiful lady to another–you. 🙂
Wonderful! Thank you
You’re welcome, friend. I’ll be putting your name in my high-tech basket. 🙂
For so long I missed the simple truth that it’s all about being transformed into the image of Christ. Somehow I got the idea that the journey was about figuring out how to do some great thing for God. Talk about being in the wilderness of my own making! Thankfully, He always meets us wherever we are, and leads us where we need to be! I’ d love to win this book!
Oh, Pam. Wise words.
I take a few moments on Saturdays which are as busy as Monday through Friday for us to be still as the sun comes up. I love this post. I just found it and slowly reading all the older posts too….Be still and know I Am are 2 things Holy Spirit convicts me of when life is in the valley or busyness threatens to overwhelm. Cannot afford to buy this book but would love love love it to read and share with my community of believers. God Bless
So very glad to meet you, Corena. Check back Thursday to see who wins her words. In the meantime… take a few moments today to be still, too.
I’m been missing the wilderness lately. My usual trek has been cut off by road repairs and walking the city parks just doesn’t bring me as close to stillness and God’s whispers. Must make time to find a new place to be still. Lovely words today! Thank you!
Liz recently posted..Who Are You?
Oh, I hear you, Liz. City parks aren’t the same as going deeper into the still places. I hope they finish those roads, soon.
I would love to win! Everything I’ve seen and heard about this book just draws me closer in! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly Hendricks (@Renewed_Daily) recently posted..When the Anger Calls the Shots
I hope God gets this book in your hands somehow, Shelly. Heart hugs right back to you.
Throw me in. I’ve been on a novel binge…and poetry. I love Deidra and maybe I’ll win? If not, I’ll get one of Amazon’s drones to drop over here to the wilderness and sit it by the door….;)
Dea recently posted..Come Before Winter
Alrighty then. Tossing. And calling all drones.
I have a mess of novels sitting on the shelves I keep meaning to get to… but the poetry’s been winning lately.
Sandra, that was so peaceful going on your journey into those amber waves of grain capped by the cornflower skies. Peace oozed throughout your whole post. i didn’t feel I was in the wilderness but basking in God’s glorious creation. i really don’t want to go into the wilderness again–unless it looks like this!
Blessings, Janis
Janis@Heart-Filled Moments recently posted..Light the Darkness
Maybe it’s all about our perspective. 🙂
I loved the quote you shared! I have been hearing so many wonderful things about this book. It’s on my “to-read” list so I would loved to be included in the giveaway. Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Joanne Viola recently posted..Day 11: What Will He Do?
You’re in the basket, Joanne. 🙂
The wild life in Nebraska sounds wonderful … the love for nature must have been planted in your heart in those childhood years! And the solitude … the wilderness … Yes, those seasons in life come and may seem overwhelming, yet, also as oasis, where we better hear, see, feel and focus.
Thank you for the giveaway … Blessings and sunshine to your Sunday,
Nina
Nina recently posted..Harvest
You know Deidra grew up in Detroit, right, Nina? Don’t you wonder how God chooses to send someone to a certain place? I’m not sure how some people hear in the city. And I should shhhh… cuz that would be wilderness for me. 😉
I would love to read (and re-read) this book… it’s such a needed reminder that God is in every last detail of my journey
And sometimes we don’t grasp the power of that until we look back, right, Kelly?
I love going on long bike rides. Love the long trails that let you just unwind and be a part of nature. Thank you for sharing.
Me, too. I do prefer to walk, though. It’s much easier to stop and go 😉
I was there for the retreat – I’d never been to Nebraska – and my spirit softened for it, too!
I never had either, Maryleigh, and I’ve been twice now. I could live there. 🙂