Monday, July 29, 2013

Ode to the Sunflower

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."
~Helen Keller

I have loved sunflowers since I was a little girl. 
My dad grew them in his garden every summer and I was just amazed by them.
You just can't look at one without smiling, can you?

My oldest son who loved his grandpa dearly, has inherited so many of his qualities...
from his ability to fix anything that's broken to his love of growing his garden...sunflowers and all!
I took these pictures while visiting him this weekend.



A POEM TO A SUNFLOWER  

I see you there in glory shining bright,
Following the sun and its path of light.
Standing tall above all others in the field,
You grow, conquer, and do not yield. 

The little birds take great delight
In playing round you, from day to night.
With your petals of yellow and leaves of green
How very easily you are seen. 

But there is more to you than first sight,
More than beauty and grander to delight.
Every beautiful aspect that appears,
Gives praise to the Father dear. 

He made you a part of creation,
And you praise him in glorious celebration!
The beauty that within you is expressed,
Gives testimony to his greatness. 

Sunflower, how I long to be like you!
Glorifying God in all I do.
Following the Son and His path of light,
To worship Him in His glory shining bright. 

I can learn from you, my friend,
With every breath, praise to God, I might send.
With all of his creation telling the story,
Might I, with you, proclaim His glory. 

~By Katherine R. Lane ~ 


Have a blessed week!

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40 comments:

  1. Phyllis @Around the HouseJuly 29, 2013 at 6:28 PM

    wow that is so so pretty...I have the print show enlarge it really big and decopage it onto canvas and use modge podge to cover it and then put it outside in my patio...AM I crazy,,,just love it so much...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Debby RayJuly 29, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    Thanks, Phyllis...I'm going to try to grow my own next year :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Lisa @ Texas DecorJuly 30, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    Sunflowers definitely put a smile on my face too. :) We grew them in the backyard one summer and my kids couldn't believe the flowers got so much taller than them! They thought it was funny that a flower could get taller than a person. LOL! Such pretty pics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 7:34 AM

      Hi Lisa, thanks for stopping by my blog and for the sweet comments! Yes, it amazes me too how tall those things can get...from that little seed!

      Delete
  4. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    I love your banner! and the beautiful sunflower collage! Sunflowers are my favorite, they are so cheerful and bright. I think I will enjoy a look around your blog today. THanks for sharing :)

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    1. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 7:35 AM

      Hello Dawna! Love the spelling of your name! I am so glad to came to visit my blog and hope you find something there to bless you. Thanks for following me :)

      Delete
  5. Dayle ~ A Collection of DaysJuly 30, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    Sunflowers always make me smile. I call them the most cheerful flower.

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 9:41 AM

      They are certainly that...they remind me of my sweet dad :)

      Delete
  6. SharonJuly 30, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    Debby, today you are my sunshine! I love sunflowers - they're just *happy* flowers - and they always remind me of summertime. Your photos were so pretty. My first thought was that that montage of them should be on note cards!

    And I really, really liked the poem. Reminded me that my very favorite thing is the SONshine!

    GOD BLESS!

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 1:15 PM

      Absolutely, Sharon... I am so glad my sunflowers photos made your day! Thanks so much for the sweet comment. I found the the poem online and thought it was just the perfect thing to go along with my pics!

      Have a blessed rest of the week!

      Delete
  7. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJuly 30, 2013 at 12:17 PM

    One of my favorites. They are so massive and so fabulous. Hugs, Marty

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 1:17 PM

      They are so unique too...so many varieties! Thanks for stopping by!

      Blessings!

      Delete
  8. Gardening in a SandboxJuly 30, 2013 at 2:33 PM

    Gorgeous photos of the sunflowers. Valerie

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 3:39 PM

      Thank you for your comment and for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. JenneliseJuly 30, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Beautiful thoughts and photos. :) Thankyou for your visit to my blog and for your sweet words!
    Jennelise

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 4:16 PM

      Thank you, Jennelise! I appreciate your sweet comment and visit :)

      Delete
  10. Sweet TeaJuly 30, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    I love Sunflowers too! At any time you can find a variety of sunflowers throughout my house in paintings & florals and such. Such a happy flower!

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  11. Debby RayJuly 30, 2013 at 5:53 PM

    Yes, they certainly are...thanks for stopping by!

    Have a blessed week :)

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  12. S. EtoleJuly 31, 2013 at 3:39 AM

    They definitely are smile inducing.

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  13. SewSweetVIntageJuly 31, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    LOVE sunflowers too! Your son's garden is lovely! Pinned to my Summer gardens:) New follow. Follow back at sewsweetvintage.com I posted DIY Doily Jacket this week:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debby RayJuly 31, 2013 at 12:56 PM

      Michele,

      Thank you for your sweet comments and for visiting me! And that jacket was so adorable!

      Have a great rest of the week :)

      Delete
  14. CeilAugust 1, 2013 at 10:21 AM

    Hi Debby! I have a friend who loves sunflowers too. She says the flower faces the sun all day, and will move it's head to adjust for where the sun is. She loves that :) Following the light, just like we do in following the light of Love.

    Peace in Christ,
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayAugust 1, 2013 at 4:35 PM

      Isn't it amazing how God created them to do that... and to become such a symbol of happiness? So glad you stopped by :)

      Delete
  15. PoppyAugust 1, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    Hi Debby

    So nice to meet you!

    Beautiful poem and gorgeous mosaic! Sunflowers are happy faced petals, aren't they?:) LOVE your banner!!!

    Poppy

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    1. Debby RayAugust 1, 2013 at 4:38 PM

      And so nice to meet you as well! I was on your lovely blog today! Thanks so much for your sweet comments and for visiting my blog!

      Delete
  16. Inspired By JuneAugust 1, 2013 at 2:39 PM

    These are amazing, Debby! What beautiful photos! Great captures! I love sunflowers, too (is there anyone who doesn't?) Have a blessed week!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 1, 2013 at 4:44 PM

      June,

      I don't believe I have met the first person who doesn't like them...how could you not, right? Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the sweet comment!

      Delete
  17. The Gathering PlaceAugust 1, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    What a fun blog with so many beautiful photos! I went back and read your whole blog. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Debby RayAugust 2, 2013 at 4:25 AM

      Oh my goodness...what a wonderful compliment! Thank you so much for taking interest in my ramblings!

      Blessings!

      Debby

      Delete
  18. VeeAugust 2, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    Such a beautiful poem with a wonderful collage to illustrate it!

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayAugust 2, 2013 at 10:26 AM

      Thank you, Vee! I'm glad you enjoyed it....thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  19. AnnesphamilyAugust 4, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    Such a beautiful poem. I love the sunflower images too! Makes me smile here today to visit you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Debby RayAugust 4, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    Thank you Anne! So happy I made you smile :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeAugust 5, 2013 at 12:30 AM

    Beautiful post and your photos are so pretty! My sister has a farm and they raise sunflowers. Something how their sweet faces chase the sun, and all the yellow finches love them!
    Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  22. Debby RayAugust 5, 2013 at 2:46 AM

    Thank you...they are definitely one of God's most glorious creations :)

    Debby

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  23. JeanAugust 7, 2013 at 7:40 AM

    I love the photos and the poems. We planted sunflowers in front of our porch this year and have had the best time watching them grow and bloom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debby RayAugust 7, 2013 at 11:46 AM

      They really are a lovely part of God's creation, aren't they? Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment!

      Blessings,
      Debby

      Delete
  24. KathyAugust 7, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    Hello Debby, Oh, I do love the Sunflower too! It is a magnificent flower. Love your photos - and the poetry/quotes. I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayAugust 7, 2013 at 11:47 AM

      Thank you Kathy ...and for giving me the opportunity to share :)

      Be blessed :)

      Delete

Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.

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