873. What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God. ~Hans Urs von Balthasar

Absolutely beautiful …

Sacred Touches

He who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth
is generally considered a fortunate person,
but his good fortune is small compared to that
of the happy mortal who enters the world
with a passion for flowers in his soul.
~Celia Thaxter

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs,
ask yourself what it is that makes you come alive.
And then go do it. Because what the world needs
is people who have come alive.
~Harold Whitman

They come, I see, they conquer! Beauties like the ones in these photos have left me spellbound for as long as I can remember. So it is that I have been blessed with a fire-fanning renewal of the passion of which Thaxter speaks month after month, season after season, year after year for 7 decades now. And as the yearly succession of earth’s flowers has advanced over the years, something in…

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THE WINGS OF THE MORNING (Song Lyrics Based on Psalm 139)

Searching my heart, You know me
Whether I go or stay
My path, You forever surround me
And know all about my way

No words are hidden from You
Thy hand is upon me
And I cannot fathom this great love
Oh! How lo-ved can I be!

Chorus
Silently taking the wings of the morning
Riding upon sweet waves of grace given me
Nowhere to run or to hide from Your presence
Not even in the deepest depths of the sea

Ah! Where can I flee to
Shall I even try, ’cause
Even unto heaven You’ll find me
Or in the pit with its flaws

Forever You are with me
Your right hand it holds
The darkness of night will not cover
Into dark Your light, it folds

Chorus
Silently taking the wings of the morning
Riding upon sweet waves of grace given me
Nowhere to run or to hide from Your presence
Not even in the deepest depths of the sea

My emotions are laid bare
And in my mother’s womb
I was beautifully formed and loved
On my Maker’s perfect loom

More in number than the sand
Your precious thoughts of me
If I’m awake or sleeping soundly
My enemies have to flee

Chorus
Silently taking the wings of the morning
Riding upon sweet waves of grace given me
Nowhere to run or to hide from Your presence
Not even in the deepest depths of the sea

Please search me and know my heart
Cleanse out impurity
Lead me in the way everlasting
May this be my surety

Oh! On the wings of a brand new day
Heaven’s breath showing me His way

Oh! On the beautiful morning wings
His love in my heart, here to stay

© 2015 Liana Wendy Howarth

Psalm 139 KJV
1 O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.
19 Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against Thee wickedly, and Thine enemies take Thy name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate Thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

A GARDEN OF ROSES (Song Lyrics)

Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Plant a garden within my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, let the fragrance be poured out
Oh! Dear Lord, let the fragrance be poured out
Oh! Dear Lord, let the fragrance be poured out
The fragrance within my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, may their sweetness fill others
Oh! Dear Lord, may their sweetness fill others
Oh! Dear Lord, may their sweetness fill others
Their sweetness within my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Plant a garden within my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, may they blossom forever
Oh! Dear Lord, may they blossom forever
Oh! Dear Lord, may they blossom forever
They blossom within my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, fill my heart with their beauty
Oh! Dear Lord, fill my heart with their beauty
Oh! Dear Lord, fill my heart with their beauty
Their beauty within my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Oh! Dear Lord, plant a garden of roses
Plant a garden within my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, when the thorns try to cause pain
Oh! Dear Lord, when the thorns try to cause pain
Oh! Dear Lord, when the thorns try to cause pain
To cause pain within my heart

That’s when dear Lord, You call forth new roses
That’s when dear Lord, You call forth new roses
That’s when dear Lord, You call forth new roses
New roses to fill my heart

Oh! Dear Lord, You planted Thy Love’s roses
Oh! Dear Lord, You planted Thy Love’s roses
Oh! Dear Lord, You planted Thy Love’s roses
Love’s roses within my heart

© 2015 Liana Wendy Howarth

When Patience Blooms

This is the first time this beautiful rose has bloomed in the eight years we have been at our home. My father moved it from under the shaded trees about a year ago, not believing it would ever bloom. A few times I asked the Lord to reveal the flower, to have the rose blossom that He may be given the glory, as my father who is an avid, really avid gardener (his life passion, one who knows most of the Latin names) didn’t think it was possible. The leaves had always flourished even in the shade; but as to the colour of the flower, we had no idea.

Well this morning the Lord averted my eyes upwards to the top of the garden arch. I showed my husband and father and said this is answered prayer. With varying responses from them :-), I am in awe of our Creator, for Whom nothing is impossible. He has taught me another sweet heart lesson:-

It doesn’t matter if, when prayers are lifted heavenward, you see no change in your life or the lives of others. Underneath, within, the Lord is working mightily in our lives and waiting for His perfect timing to reveal the gift of His answer. His encouragement … Never give up, always believe that He can do anything, be patient, trust in Him, He loves us and will give us the desires of our heart according to His will for our life.

My heart was to see the beautiful bloom upon this rose, suppressed beauty released and to bring glory to God. To reveal to unbelievers that there is nothing too difficult for our heavenly Father. Another reason why this to me is so personal, is that this is the eighth year of illness that has had my life on hold in so many different areas. I have learnt and am learning so much about my Father’s love for me through http://www.beinhealth.com that in the physical the layers of affliction (non existent petals) are just peeling off and being discarded; but in the spiritual and soon to flow into the physical, beautiful healing is taking place and a new blossom of His life is forming in me, just waiting for His perfect timing to be revealed. How perfect that the rose that was given me was the colour of His sacrifice. His death and resurrection for me. He has given me new life, new hope. Eternal life.

Thank you my Father for the depth of Your love for me, for us and believing in Your Son, knowing that He would fulfill every intricate detail of Your merciful gift for all.

Thank you Jesus for Your obedience in going to the Cross because of Your love for Your Father, for me, for us. The depth of Your pain that You suffered for me, for us. Praise God You are risen. Seated on high.

Thank you Holy Spirit for Your comfort, conviction and ever present peace even amidst turmoil. For bringing the Father’s love to me, to us. Embracing with love eternal.

© 2015 – current Liana Wendy Howarth

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

A PERSONAL QUESTION AND HOPEFUL RESPONSE

Will it be
That I
Will be
Left Behind
In life’s shadow
Where birds
No longer sing
And the breeze
Brings no refreshment
Where darkness
Only reigns
And light
No longer penetrates
Where loved ones’ voices
Are no longer heard
I’m alone
Alone and trapped
The door has closed
The heat
Intensifies
No escape
Lord, please
Help me
I don’t want
To be labelled
Labelled with a barcode
Where my price
Is visible to all who see
Please open the door
One last time
Set me free
’Tis only
The price
You paid
That I want
All to see

© 2015 Liana Wendy Howarth

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Matthew 11:28
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Lost Amidst the Bubbles

Are you fighting a losing battle
Arms are flailing
No answer in sight
Seeing life in different spaces
Floating aimlessly about
Trying to reach
And gain a foothold
But the current is too strong
People smile and keep on walking
Never knowing
That you’re trapped inside
The morning comes
The morning goes
And soon it is evening
You know you’re alive
’Cause you’re still breathing
But somehow as you silently
Try and find your way
Amidst the darkness
Little bubbles of reality
Float teasingly out of reach
Ah! In a bubble within
The sea of bubbles
Containing loved ones
Friends, passersby
You can see they’re talking
And moving through their day
Smiling, laughing, not a care
But every now and then
You’ll see a familiar face
One that’s filling their own bubble
With a myriad of tears
So you draw alongside
And travel close to them
Through the wonders of life unknown
Comforting in compassion
Taking one another’s hand
Two bubbles now with hope
Allowing you to finally sing

© 2015 Liana Wendy Howarth

UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS (A Song of Hope)

When oceans of emotions run so deep
When your tears wash away all joy inside
When the sands on the shoreline blink and cry
Oh! Come unto Him, all fears lay aside

Chorus
When oceans of emotions run so deep
When the darkness struggles, its light to keep
Lift your eyes, don’t give up, give up and sleep
’Cause underneath are the Everlasting Arms

When the darkness struggles, its light to keep
When each day seems like a deserted night
When the starlight fades in the battle dim
Oh! Come unto Him, let Him fight your fight

Chorus
When oceans of emotions run so deep
When the darkness struggles, its light to keep
Lift your eyes, don’t give up, give up and sleep
’Cause underneath are the Everlasting Arms

Lift your eyes, don’t give up, give up and sleep
Lift your eyes, weary child, oh! lift your eyes
Yes, you may struggle; but the battle’s won
Oh! Come unto Him, in Him your strength lies

Bridge
And He will catch you, never let you fall
Yes, Jesus loves you, cares for one, for all
His arms of love cannot, will not fail
Arms that once were held with crimson nail

So

Let the winds of time echo, stop the flow
Let His breath dry every falling tear
Always remember, each child who believes
Nighttime will bring blessings and daytime near

Chorus
When oceans of emotions run so deep
When the darkness struggles, its light to keep
Lift your eyes, don’t give up, give up and sleep
’Cause underneath are the Everlasting Arms

© 2014 – present Liana Wendy Howarth

Sally Sunflower and Super Bee (A Children’s Poem) … We All Have a Purpose

Sally Sunflower, Super Bee
Gently swaying in the breeze
Oh! Now where did he go, that little bee?
Hang on a minute, I’m Super Bee!

In between the petals bobbing
Tickling Sally as he went
There he is, where? … He’s gone again!
Like a fish through seaweed bent

Weaving in and out and in
Playing hide and seek, peek a boo!
Whistling a hap-hap-happy tune
’Cause that is what little bees do

Are you talking about me?
I can see no little bee
I see a strong and mighty bumble bee
Sally, please tell them all about me

Dear sunflower family
Yes, listen to my dear friend
I was so lonesome and all on my own
SB’s seen me through to trouble’s end

’Cause as he wove in and out
He gently took my black seeds
Buzzingly shared the big load with others
Scattered them nearby and met my needs

Because of him, you are here
And I’m no longer alone
Please let him know he’s appreciated
And as Super Bee may he be known

© 2015 Liana Wendy Howarth

image courtesy of http://www.mycutegraphics.com