Tag: nature

Posted in Earth Psalms Reflection

Week Three: Variety in Creation

Posted on by Rachel

This week is all about observing and appreciating the differences of the people around you.

I learned that there are 7,500 kinds of apples in the world! I never knew that before. I have only tasted the Red Delicious and Fuji. After reading the chapter, I looked inside the fridge for an apple and ate it with delight while contemplating about the different kinds.

Throughout the week, I also thought about my family and friends. I pondered upon their different characteristics and was even amused to remember their good and bad traits, as well as their quirks and habits.

It blew my mind just thinking about how no one is exactly alike in every single way. If I deeply ingrain that fact in my mind, it makes me respect God more. I also gain a sense of appreciation for myself because I am the one and only in this whole wide world!

In what ways do you think our culture encourages sameness?

In terms of beauty, body and personality, the media and society itself have set the standard of what is deemed as “acceptable” and “beautiful.” We see billboards that promote the same body type and sends a message of what we should all strive to look like.

It wasn’t until last year, that I learned there are different body types such as the apple shape, pear shape, inverted triangle and many more! This made me realize that I shouldn’t try to look like someone else but rather to appreciate my own features and body. We are all different in varied ways.

There’s also different personality types. You can learn more about your personality by taking the Myers-Briggs Personality Test Online.

And even with these categorizations of body types, personality, hair, facial features, and whatnots, there’s still a huge amount of uniqueness that each one possesses.

How does variety in appearance, attitudes, talents and personality reflect God’s character?

We find a little bit of God in ourselves and in every person that we meet. I think that’s amazing.

I’ve been watching the reality show, Pinoy Big Brother, wherein several people with different backgrounds, age and personalities all live in one house while undergoing a series of tasks. It’s been a fun show and it made me realize the variety of characteristics in each one of them. Their stories and personalities also make them unique.

There is so much variety not just in people, but also in nature and I am filled with gratitude that God made it that way.

Posted in Earth Psalms Reflection

Week One: Faithfulness Day and Night

Posted on by Rachel

This week was all about pondering and reflecting on God’s faithfulness.

A little story: for months, I’ve been deconstructing my faith passively aggresively. For now, I think I’m slowly getting back on track with my relationship with God.

I’m using Francine River’s book, Earth Psalms, as a devotional which I hope will encourage and inspire me in my faith.

To be honest, being in this journey is such a hard process; one that I feel can easily crumble down. Knowing that the religion I used to practice is a false one has definitely shaken me to the core.

This week’s topic will be a soothing relief to my soul as it talks about God’s mercies and protection.

Here are some of my reflections and updates throughout the week:

©Gracelaced co.

What does it mean that God’s mercies are new, or fresh, every day?

For me, it means that God gives us a brand new, clean slate to start all over again each day. When we ask forgiveness, He forgets about our sins and encourages us to move forward.

I struggle a lot with reminiscing past mistakes and regrets so this wonderful truth of God’s mercy & steadfast love is like a soothing balm to my heart.

Yesterday’s mistakes don’t carry over.

How can remembering God’s faithful presence and protection give you peace as you go about your daily activities?

To have in mind God’s faithful presence and protection, gives me peace that no matter what the day brings, God is greater and He is in control.

I don’t go out much these days, I’m usually at home. It does make me feel safe but sometimes challenges come along as well. Remembering God is faithful and will protect me, gives me courage.

Sometimes I realize I’ve been protected from a harm such as almost falling off the stairs, or almost slipping through the bathroom floor, and other common accidents that can happen inside the house. And who knows what God’s protection has done for my parents.

This week was one of the coldest so far this month. Sunrises and sunsets were not visually seen, except for a few. Here are some photos I took.

January 12, 2021
First hint of sunlight of the week.
January 12, 2021
First sunset seen for the week.
January 15, 2021
I was awakened by God’s grace to see this beautiful sunrise. It was funny to think I woke up just to look at it and fell right back to sleep again.

Personal thoughts and reflection:

This week has brought me so much peace. I love how I’m taking this faith journey, slowly and without pressure. It has given me a lot of time to meditate and think about God. Every morning, I reflect on select Bible verses rather than reading chapters and not retaining anything. I also listen to this playlist I made based on the book, every morning.

You can follow it here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1x3o0V2I4gviD9QmB2QOSk?si=5Gv5vHnIRWeHlVAI7AbSPQ

It will be updated every week.

Overall, I’m just really happy to be getting back my relationship with God.

One thing I can improve is to take time to observe the sunrises and sunsets, rather than treat it as a 3 minute objective to take a photo and post it here. I will definitely try to take more time and focus on observing the incredible beauty of our Creator.

Posted in Rachel's Journal 🌼

June Bug

Posted on by Rachel

Have you ever had moments where you regret not taking a picture?

I had that moment today. Again.

A little baby bug was found clinging to my newly washed t-shirt when I folded it this morning.

It was tiny and cute so I transferred it to an old towel nearby.

My first thought, which I must say, was horrible of me to think, was to throw it into the dark garbage bin or flush it down.

Then I stopped myself and asked, why?

It’s not doing anyone harm.

Thus, I decided to bring the little guy home.

I delivered it unto a Gumamela leaf, which he refused. So I grabbed a thick piece of grass and poked its claws until it transferred.

Definitely a moment that sparked peace and joy in my heart.

It made my soul swell with smiles.

It made me think how good God is.

I thanked myself I didn’t throw it away.

It’s an indescribable feeling, all brought to me by a little bug.

“I wish I took a picture,” was all I could say to myself.

I really wish I did. But special moments, even when not documented by photos, are deeply ingrained in our hearts and minds.

What I did today made me realize that all creatures have life and no matter how small, I think they too, deserve kindness and respect.

*Of course we should practice good judgment as some creatures are harmful! 😉

Fun fact: I was today years old when I found out this bug I found, is called the June Bug. They’re quite common in the Philippines.

Posted in Challenge, The Artist's Way

Week 2 : Recovering A Sense of Identity

Posted on by Rachel

Objective : 

(1) Address self-definition as a major component of creative recovery.

(2) Move into your personal identity, a self-defined you.

Favorite quotes:

To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast-you also miss the scenery of where you are going and why.

Eddie Cantor

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.

Henry Miller

Verse of the week:

For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Lessons Learned:

Self-doubts are symptoms of recovery.

When we give ourselves permission to recover that’s when the doubts will hit you like a ton of bricks. They will sprout like beans poking every corner of your brain ’til you get exhausted in dealing with them. But! This is not the time to give up! This is the time to fight back with affirmations.

Learn to identity crazy-makers (toxic people).

In the path to self-recovery we need to identify our toxic habits, perspectives, and most importantly the toxic people in our lives. Toxic people drain your energy.

“The capacity of delight is the gift of paying attention.”

One of the most important lessons I have learned this week is the gift of paying attention. And for everyday of this week I kept reminding myself to pay attention especially to nature. There is so much beauty in the world that when we truly open our hearts and eyes, we will know that we will be okay. Even in this moment right now, we are okay.

**I really loved this chapter, it’s beautifully written and emotionally evoking.

Grab a copy here.