I usually get a post up on Mondays, but there was some background maintenance happening on my blog and I wasn’t able to get a post up on time. That ended up being okay because I had another furniture pick-up this morning and Jeff helped me shuffle furniture around to get things organized a bit better. For those interested in my moving/packing methods, I will be sharing more details and my thought process. But, for today, I am tired of packing and moving things and I certainly don’t want to write about it.
Let’s talk about a beautiful reminder I received from nature.
As I was giving the olive shells collected on Isle of Palms with my mom a more thorough rinsing at home, I left them sitting out, drying on a paper towel for several days. It’s unlike me to leave something just sitting out, but I found that I didn’t want to put them away. Every time I walked past, I would admire them and notice the amazing variety represented in just a small sampling of one kind of shell.
I know most of us, including me, struggle with our differences. We feel pushed and funneled into what’s trending and popular, especially in this age of sharing online. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking beauty is dictated by culture and sameness is something to strive for.
But, as I walked past the rows of shells on my counter, it was their variety that I loved most. I admired the large dark gray shells filled with holes, matte and soft, just as much as I admired the ones that were petite, polished, and pale. There is one that is almost pure white and one that has a striking pattern, almost as if it were painted. All unique. All beautiful in their uniqueness. And all the more beautiful for the variation within the collection.
I don’t know what it is that makes us want to shy away from the things that set us apart, but these shells were a reminder to me that differences are beautiful, interesting, and compelling. It’s the way God created olive shells and the way he created us.
21 Responses
Lovely post!
You are so Right about how different we all are in so many ways. And I accept that even more as I get older which is something I would shy away from when I was younger. My dear friends treated me to dinner last eve to celebrate my 78th birthday at my favorite restaurant and now today one of my friends did not enjoy her dinner and wants me to call the restaurant to complain for her. No I will not jeopardize the relationship I have with the owner to complain for her. I bring this up because this friend is so different from me but I have maintained our friendship for over 50 years. So different people can be friends for many years !
I am glad that you didn’t allow your friend to spoil your lovely birthday celebration with her complaints. She could call the restaurant herself to express her concerns. I wish you many more happy birthdays!
The shells are so unique and smooth to hold, I wish I was closer to the ocean to collect shells. Marian, I just want to Thank you for inspiring me to paint again, knit again, learn a musical instrument. Sometimes we fall into complacentsy, and settle for not challenging ourselves. Sweet travels on your new adventure.
The shells are so unique and smooth to hold, I wish I was closer to the ocean to collect shells. Marian, I just want to Thank you for inspiring me to paint again, knit again, learn a musical instrument. Sometimes we fall into complacentsy, and settle for not challenging ourselves. Sweet travels on your new adventure.
Beautiful thoughts today – if only more of our fellow humans had eyes to see this truth.
Thank you for todays post. Those shells are my favorites too, and I often look at them and meditate on the variety of creation in just one type of shell. It builds my appreciation of the Grand Creator Jehovah so much. And it certainly is a restful break from daily life and packing and sorting.
I look forward to reading of your new endeavours wherever your family lands, and I admire your energy to begin anew! 😉
Thank you for this, Marion. Absolute truth I need to hold close to my heart.
You are so right about the olive shell! I probably have hundreds of them. Some are rough and some are shiny. I wonder if they were tumbled through rough waters to develop their shine or we they made tough and rough. Kind of like the journey God has us on. A refining journey! I praise that He is in control and knows me inside and out!
What a beautiful post. Thank you.
Good luck with your move.
Karen B.
Pensive and perfectly said. Embrace our differences, cause we are each perfectly different.
I appreciate your thoughts about differences. If we all try a bit harder to really see one another, maybe we will get closer to appreciating the unique beauty that makes each of us different. Lovely collection of olive shells. I have collected quite a few from Isle of Palms also. Our daughter used to live in Mount Pleasant and we visited there often.
I really needed this lovely reminder today. Thank you.
Thank you for this post. Contentment is something we all struggle with. God knew what He needed me to be. Just as it says in Psalm 139:14, “I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works…”
Thank you for this wonderful reminder of the Lord’s great creativity and care for us.
BEAUTIFULLY said!
I love this post! Everything you say is so on point! I’m hoping to visit Isle of Palms next fall on my girls trip with my sister and five cousins! It’s our new tradition, this will be our 5th year! I can’t wait to find beautiful shells!
❤️
You always know how to say the right thing at the right time! One of your God given gifts and why you are in the position you are, able to reach so many. Thank you Marian, ❤️❤️
I’m always amazed by God’s creation. The variety in flowers, trees, rocks, birds, and the list goes on. How boring it would be if everything and everyone were the same. Thank you for the reminder. Hang in there with the move.
Thank you Marian for this beautiful post !
Happy Blessed Easter to you and your family !
XOX
I love this post, thank you.