Sunday, January 11, 2015

Color In Winter.......

In the winter time, things are rather colorless.... the weather has been very overcast and rainy... most of the time for weeks. We had so much going on with my dad's surgery and taking care of Mom and the load was heavy, but God carried us through. One morning, while Dad was still in rehab, my son pointed out that the plant was getting a flower.






 That was a fun surprise.... although at that time, it wasn't at all pretty... just a bit of black on the end of a stem.  We watched it daily.... these flowers can take a long time to open as I found out when I photographed one daily and posted about it. You can read about it and see the pictures if you are interested.

The Blossoming of a Gebera Daisy



It took many many days to start to show color.... and then to open....


This is the way it looked a week ago.... and it started to open about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Wow....  and it is still blooming!

 The plant looks rather stressed, as you can see.... but at least it is still alive. The LONG stem is different than the way it grew in the summer... but what a fun thing to have it in the house.... when there was snow outside.  :)
It was so nice to have the bit of pretty color....  it was a little thing, but God does choose to use little things to encourage us.... sometimes they are obvious and sometimes not. This one was pretty obvious.... and has been really enjoyed. It is still standing up there adding color to the living room.... and I cannot believe how long this flower is lasting... I have never seen one last so long.... and we will continue to enjoy it for as long as it stays. 

 I hope you see little and big ways that God gives you something as an encouragement. I am so thankful He does simple (for Him) little things like this.... and I want to be careful to praise Him for such.  Are you praising Him today?.... whether life is hard and stressful.... or whether life is enjoyable. He is certainly worthy to be praised.  I plan to continue to praise Him...... and I hope you do also.   I hope you have a wonderful week. 

Shared on:
Farmgirl Friday
Hearts For Home 
Paula's No Rules Weekend Party
Good Morning Monday
Making Your Home Sing Monday
Snickerdoodle Sunday 
Saturday Soiree
Fellowship Friday
My Week In Review 
Foodie Friday and Everything Else party
Hearts For Home
Thought Provoking Thursday
Paula's No Rules Weekend Party 
Homeacre Hop
The Charm of Home
Homemaking Party 
Wholehearted Wednesday
Wake Up Wednesday
Tuesday Talk 
Hip Homeschool Hop
Women Helping Women
Good Morning Monday 
The Art of Homemaking Monday
Motivation Monday
Merry Monday
Making Your Home Sing Monday 
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18 comments:

  1. Cheese and SparklesJanuary 12, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    That is a beautiful flower! And you captured it very well! :-) A nice spot of colour in winter.
    ~Katie@ liliesofgrace.blogspot.com

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    1. Gentle JoyJanuary 12, 2015 at 10:56 AM

      Thank you - what a nice comment! We sure are enjoying this flower and continue to be amazed at how long it is lasting. :)

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  2. MaddyJanuary 12, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    Very pretty!!!

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  3. Mandy BoppJanuary 13, 2015 at 8:55 PM

    Lots of beautiful shots! Thanks for linking up to Tuesday Talk!

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    1. Gentle JoyJanuary 15, 2015 at 9:58 AM

      Thank you. :) So glad y'all are doing Tuesday Talk. :)

      Delete
  4. UnknownJanuary 14, 2015 at 4:58 PM

    Gerbera daisies are one of my favorites. How lovely that you have your own in the middle of winter!

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    1. Gentle JoyJanuary 15, 2015 at 9:59 AM

      It is a blessing.... I am shocked how long it is lasting.... and we are enjoying it. :)

      Delete
  5. UnknownJanuary 17, 2015 at 2:05 AM

    My mum and dad used to grow these in their front garden and they were always beautiful when in full flower, thank you for that reminder and for sharing at Good morning mondays. Blessings

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    1. Gentle JoyJanuary 17, 2015 at 8:00 AM

      What a nice memory... glad you shared that. :) I was surprised to get one to bloom inside...especially when the rest of the plant doesn't look all that great. :) Thank you for visiting.

      Delete
  6. jviola79January 17, 2015 at 4:42 AM

    I love how you captured this flower against the backdrop of snow. Yes, the plant may look a little "stressed" as ou put it, but it bloomed. May it be so in our lives. May we bloom & bear fruit in the midst of challenges & to His glory! Always beautiful photos & thoughts, Joy!

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    1. Gentle JoyJanuary 17, 2015 at 8:01 AM

      I like your analogy! So true. Thank you for visiting and for the sweet comment. :)

      Delete
  7. Tanya AnuragJanuary 18, 2015 at 11:42 PM

    I can relate to the post. My eyes are so much in need of some colors. Waiting for spring.
    You have a great week ahead.

    -Tanya
    http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/

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    1. Gentle JoyJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:05 AM

      I agree... spring is great and we are already hearing spring birds and getting a bit of warm weather, so it makes me want spring even more... but it is way too early! :) I am enjoying the color in the house though. Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful week. :)

      Delete
  8. Nifty Thrifty FamilyJanuary 23, 2015 at 4:08 PM

    We all need color. I think color brightens your day. Thanks for sharing over at the Snickerdoodle Sunday.

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    1. Gentle JoyJanuary 23, 2015 at 4:45 PM

      It sure does... especially when things look dreary in the winter. Glad you stopped by. :)

      Delete
  9. Hephzibah FrancesFebruary 1, 2015 at 10:02 AM

    This is so encouraging and heart warming.
    Just the way the flower takes a bit of time to bloom, so it is with us too.
    God prunes us and builds us.
    We may bloom slowly but still His perfect work will be done in us.

    God bless you and all yours ma'am :-)

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    Replies
    1. Gentle JoyFebruary 1, 2015 at 11:50 AM

      What a great thought... thank you for your sweet comment. I'm glad you visited. :)

      Delete

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