No, it was not my daddy’s sister. She lived in the little area I think is called “Pleasant Grove” (Roper). She was a tiny little lady with tall sunflowers. 🌻 🥰
Tammy, A memory of great Aunt Martha, I missed the “great”. If I had thought of that I would have known the answer to my question. Thanks for answering. Yet, still trying to place in my sweet memory the lady I remember.
Great Aunt Martha of Roper NC and her legacy of growing and showing community the beauty of sunflowers.
A girl named Tammy in her ancestry line remembers and makes mention of her artistic beauty of growing sunflowers on the worldwide webb for the world to ponder.
I did ponder and asked about her and as FB ask, Would you like to add to your story? Yes!
Great Aunt Martha imprinted the magic of growing sunflowers in the mind of young Tammy. Now, we know not just Roper but a community of; “Pleasant Grove.” Think on this she was Great Aunt Martha, she grew big tall sunflowers. Yet, she was a tiny little lady that dwelled in Pleasant Grove.
“Think on these things…”Philippians 4:8
Here we go for the grand great Aunt, vs 9, “…whatever you have learned or received…put in practice…And, the God of peace will be with you.”
I agree with Tammy on how beautiful they are. and what a beautiful photo. There’s something about that vibrant yellow against that clear blue sky….it sure makes me want to say “amen” to ““Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
I love thinking about meanings of flowers and sunflower is so special. “The sunflower puts itself in position to directly receive the sun’s gaze. It symbolizes faith and adoration for ALL that is, because of this the sunflower is often regarded as a very spiritual flower. They are therefore a symbol of true faith and loyalty to something that is much bigger and brighter than themselves.”
Now, this has me thinking the sunflower must be a Mary. Didn’t I read in The Big Book that we are studying in our Bunny Rabbit class about a lady named Mary that situation herself at the feet of the SON of God so she could receive the sun’s gaze?
“Didn’t I read in The Big Book that we are studying in our Bunny Rabbit class about a lady named Mary that situation herself at the feet of the SON of God so she could receive the sun’s gaze?”
Yes, Sara, I went to check what you read in the Big Book and you read correctly about Mary.
Mary had a sister named Martha and they lived in a village called Bethany. Here is the account I found:
“She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 AMP
I also searched a book Sara wrote, Dressing for His Glory” to read up on this “Flower of THE SUN – The Work of the Lord” from Lesson 8. One of the verses cited for this sunflower is I Cor. 15:58. I sure think it describes this lady Mary and why she could stand and grow tall like the sunflower even in the face of her sister’s criticism.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.“
Debi, you got it! Keep watch over your gifts and duties and not complain and mummer about another’s gifts and duties. Easy said but not easy done. Martha found out the hard way like many of us have had to do. Still might be learning🥺
Painting sunflowers gives me great joy as they seem to light up any room that they are placed in. My sweetest memory of sunflowers is my Dad use to plant the really large sunflowers by the boundary of the garden facing the road. Many people would comment on their beauty. My Dad felt after experience and observation that the plants grew bigger and produced more produce, so he planted every year. He also enjoyed watching the birds eating the dried seeds of the sunflowers.
When researching after thinking about this, I looked up why this happened. This is what I found: “Sunflowers have lots of high-quality protein in the nectar, attracting bees. Once the bees drink the nectar of the flower, they travel to other plants in the garden, pollinating them and potentially increasing yields. When the sunflower dries, the seed heads attract birds, which eat pests in the garden.
With sunflowers said by Sara, “sunflower is often regarded as a very spiritual flower. They are therefore a symbol of true faith and loyalty to something that is much bigger and brighter than themselves.” Seems to me Jesus represents the Son of God has the bees (others who spread the Word of truth to the plants which represent us which causes some to potentially increase yield ( some have increase in their faith which is visible in the garden (the world).
Rena, while reading your Dad’s story of sunflowers and his skill in gardening the memory of his last dream before his home going gave a glimpse of what he might be doing in heaven? 🌻🌻🌻
Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done…have you ever wondered what this prayer really means when prayed?
Have you ever walked around pondering a thought and then you read or hear an idea that adds another brick to the brick walkway that you walk?
This Online devotion went out this am and seems to have a perfect matched colored brick for, “The Kingdom Come Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
“Sometimes we look back on our lives and see how we made choices that wasted time, love, and relationships. We may wonder what good could ever come of our mistakes, what redemption could emerge from our sorrows. Feeling as though we have wasted a part of our lives can leave us stuck in guilt and shame. However, God may have other plans for our misadventures and errors in judgment. God’s kingdom come may not look like what we expect.”—Jane Herring,
“Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done…have you ever wondered what this prayer really means when prayed?”
Yes, I have. It seems so big and mysterious to me. Yet it is a prayer that Jesus instructed us to pray, “This, then, is how you should pray…”
I am thankful for your example and gift, Sara, of how you read/heard Jane Herring’s online devotion and recognized/connected it to “Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done”. You “saw” and made a vital connection to what most of us don’t see…saw it as a brick that “adds another brick to the brick walkway that you walk?”
Jane Herring’s devotion told us “Feeling as though we have wasted a part of our lives can leave us stuck in guilt and shame.” That made me think of a muddy path that your shoes get stuck in so you can’t walk and keep moving forward. But the brick you added to the walkway provides a solid surface to take another step forward.
It also reminds me of something you shared from your blog, “Gardens are Calling” https://thedailylily.com/2020/05/21/gardens-are-calling/#comments:
“The Bible says that he will give us beauty for ashes. In Bible times it was the custom for the people of that day in great times of mourning and difficulty to lay in ashes. Just think about that. You’ve got a problem in your life and you just sit down in a pile of ashes. There is nothing beautiful about ashes. Yet, we don’t have to stay there, 🎶“He gives us beauty for ashes.”🎶”
Debi, I appreciate your validation of a gift given me by the Holy Spirit. Thank you! I give thanks when the gift connects flawless with others in the body of Christ for purpose of, “Thy Kingdom Come…”
In our on going pathway brick laying we find Jane Herring writing a truth that connects brick to brick Kingdom building. You understood the concept and wanted to add to your walkway. Pause and think you are building brick paths in your vegetable backyard garden and God’s Kingdom and His will be done to furnish healthy food to His children in a earth where covid-19 is ravishing the earth. Thank you!
In the night a fresh spring arose from deep within of a song from Gaithers’ collection that included words by, “Words & Music By Gloria Gaither, C. Aaron Wilburn & William Gaither.” How often in time past did many groups sing and think we have worn this one out and need a new one to wear out. We sang, yes! Worn out? No, it’s God’s Holy Word and we need our connections of gift to gift to continue to see God’s Kingdom on earth as in heaven. Sing it with us now. I want God’s Blessings for my family and friends and yours. Do you have a need in your family? Maybe a hearts desire for a son or daughter and their journey on earth. They need a brick for their life’s path. As you sing along, and get to, It’s beginning to rain…you are joined by singers, prayers, writers, preachers and heavenly host alike so look up to the sky…🎼🎤🎤🎤🎷
🎼”The turtledove is singing its sweet song of morning
The leaves on the trees turn their silver cups to the sky
The silent clouds above are beginning to gather
The barren land is thirsty, and so am I
It’s beginning to rain, rain, rain, hear the voice of the Father
Saying, “Whosoever will, come drink of this water
I promise to pour My Spirit out on your sons and your daughters
If you’re thirsty and dry, look up to the sky
It’s beginning to rain”
The young man’s eyes start to shine as he tells of his vision
The old ones understand what he sees
For they’ve dreamed their dreams
With the thrill of being alive
They reach for each other
Just watch ’em as they dance in the rain
With the joy of the things that they have seen
At the first drop of rain that you hear, throw open the windows
Go call all your children together and throw wide the door
When the rains of the Spirit are falling, fill every vessel
For he who drinks his fill, will thirst no more
It’s beginning to rain, rain, rain, hear the voice of the Father
Saying, “Whosoever will, come drink of this water
I promise to pour my spirit out on your sons and your daughters
If you’re thirsty and dry, look up to the sky
It’s beginning to rain”
Thank you for sharing this song, Sara, and asking us to sing along.
“Worn out? No, it’s God’s Holy Word”…
…and I am reminded of a truth I have very often heard you share. A truth that has empowered you to add a brick to help build a “brick walkway” for so many. “A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Prov 25:11 AMP
So, thank you. I believe your ‘fresh spring’ is telling us that now is the time. Now is the time for us to sing along and “look up to the sky”…
“we need our connections of gift to gift to continue to see God’s Kingdom on earth as in heaven.”
What a wonderful devotional by Jane Herring. It captures my life step of sin and shame.
A brick was laid by Jane Herring which gives hope, that God can use all who have made mistakes and think God can’t use but God can….
The song by the Gaither’s says the rain of Heaven will come to the barren land of our souls. Rain Jesus upon us fresh rain from heaven so all that want come..
Jesus fill us up, our hope is in you. Drink of the fresh rain and as I pray I ask for all my family and all others I know and don’t know to drink of the rain from heaven.
I read a devotional from Streams in the Desert- page 214-215 that seems to fit right in:
Is the midnight closing ‘round you? Are the shadows dark and long? Ask Him to come close beside you, and He’ll give you a new, sweet song.
He’ll give it and sing it with you; and when weakness slows you down, He’ll take up the broken cadence and blend it with His own.
And many a heavenly singer among those sons of light, will say of his sweetest music, I learned it in the night.” And many a lovely anthem, that fills the Father’s home sobbed out its first rehearsal, in the shade of a darkened room.
Thus another thought from same book- Great faith must first endure great trials.
God’s greatest gifts come through great pain.
All three steps to hold onto in our journey as we walk with Him.
thedailylily.com 
They are so beautiful! One of the things I remember about my great Aunt Martha was her sunflower garden. 🌻
Was that your Daddy’s sister? 🌻And, did she live in Elizabeth City?
No, it was not my daddy’s sister. She lived in the little area I think is called “Pleasant Grove” (Roper). She was a tiny little lady with tall sunflowers. 🌻 🥰
Tammy, A memory of great Aunt Martha, I missed the “great”. If I had thought of that I would have known the answer to my question. Thanks for answering. Yet, still trying to place in my sweet memory the lady I remember.
Great Aunt Martha of Roper NC and her legacy of growing and showing community the beauty of sunflowers.
A girl named Tammy in her ancestry line remembers and makes mention of her artistic beauty of growing sunflowers on the worldwide webb for the world to ponder.
I did ponder and asked about her and as FB ask, Would you like to add to your story? Yes!
Great Aunt Martha imprinted the magic of growing sunflowers in the mind of young Tammy. Now, we know not just Roper but a community of; “Pleasant Grove.” Think on this she was Great Aunt Martha, she grew big tall sunflowers. Yet, she was a tiny little lady that dwelled in Pleasant Grove.
“Think on these things…”Philippians 4:8
Here we go for the grand great Aunt, vs 9, “…whatever you have learned or received…put in practice…And, the God of peace will be with you.”
I agree with Tammy on how beautiful they are. and what a beautiful photo. There’s something about that vibrant yellow against that clear blue sky….it sure makes me want to say “amen” to ““Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
I love thinking about meanings of flowers and sunflower is so special. “The sunflower puts itself in position to directly receive the sun’s gaze. It symbolizes faith and adoration for ALL that is, because of this the sunflower is often regarded as a very spiritual flower. They are therefore a symbol of true faith and loyalty to something that is much bigger and brighter than themselves.”
Now, this has me thinking the sunflower must be a Mary. Didn’t I read in The Big Book that we are studying in our Bunny Rabbit class about a lady named Mary that situation herself at the feet of the SON of God so she could receive the sun’s gaze?
“Didn’t I read in The Big Book that we are studying in our Bunny Rabbit class about a lady named Mary that situation herself at the feet of the SON of God so she could receive the sun’s gaze?”
Yes, Sara, I went to check what you read in the Big Book and you read correctly about Mary.
Mary had a sister named Martha and they lived in a village called Bethany. Here is the account I found:
“She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 AMP
I also searched a book Sara wrote, Dressing for His Glory” to read up on this “Flower of THE SUN – The Work of the Lord” from Lesson 8. One of the verses cited for this sunflower is I Cor. 15:58. I sure think it describes this lady Mary and why she could stand and grow tall like the sunflower even in the face of her sister’s criticism.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.“
Debi, you got it! Keep watch over your gifts and duties and not complain and mummer about another’s gifts and duties. Easy said but not easy done. Martha found out the hard way like many of us have had to do. Still might be learning🥺
Painting sunflowers gives me great joy as they seem to light up any room that they are placed in. My sweetest memory of sunflowers is my Dad use to plant the really large sunflowers by the boundary of the garden facing the road. Many people would comment on their beauty. My Dad felt after experience and observation that the plants grew bigger and produced more produce, so he planted every year. He also enjoyed watching the birds eating the dried seeds of the sunflowers.
When researching after thinking about this, I looked up why this happened. This is what I found: “Sunflowers have lots of high-quality protein in the nectar, attracting bees. Once the bees drink the nectar of the flower, they travel to other plants in the garden, pollinating them and potentially increasing yields. When the sunflower dries, the seed heads attract birds, which eat pests in the garden.
With sunflowers said by Sara, “sunflower is often regarded as a very spiritual flower. They are therefore a symbol of true faith and loyalty to something that is much bigger and brighter than themselves.” Seems to me Jesus represents the Son of God has the bees (others who spread the Word of truth to the plants which represent us which causes some to potentially increase yield ( some have increase in their faith which is visible in the garden (the world).
Rena, while reading your Dad’s story of sunflowers and his skill in gardening the memory of his last dream before his home going gave a glimpse of what he might be doing in heaven? 🌻🌻🌻
Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done…have you ever wondered what this prayer really means when prayed?
Have you ever walked around pondering a thought and then you read or hear an idea that adds another brick to the brick walkway that you walk?
This Online devotion went out this am and seems to have a perfect matched colored brick for, “The Kingdom Come Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
“Sometimes we look back on our lives and see how we made choices that wasted time, love, and relationships. We may wonder what good could ever come of our mistakes, what redemption could emerge from our sorrows. Feeling as though we have wasted a part of our lives can leave us stuck in guilt and shame. However, God may have other plans for our misadventures and errors in judgment. God’s kingdom come may not look like what we expect.”—Jane Herring,
“Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done…have you ever wondered what this prayer really means when prayed?”
Yes, I have. It seems so big and mysterious to me. Yet it is a prayer that Jesus instructed us to pray, “This, then, is how you should pray…”
I am thankful for your example and gift, Sara, of how you read/heard Jane Herring’s online devotion and recognized/connected it to “Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done”. You “saw” and made a vital connection to what most of us don’t see…saw it as a brick that “adds another brick to the brick walkway that you walk?”
Jane Herring’s devotion told us “Feeling as though we have wasted a part of our lives can leave us stuck in guilt and shame.” That made me think of a muddy path that your shoes get stuck in so you can’t walk and keep moving forward. But the brick you added to the walkway provides a solid surface to take another step forward.
It also reminds me of something you shared from your blog, “Gardens are Calling” https://thedailylily.com/2020/05/21/gardens-are-calling/#comments:
“The Bible says that he will give us beauty for ashes. In Bible times it was the custom for the people of that day in great times of mourning and difficulty to lay in ashes. Just think about that. You’ve got a problem in your life and you just sit down in a pile of ashes. There is nothing beautiful about ashes. Yet, we don’t have to stay there, 🎶“He gives us beauty for ashes.”🎶”
Debi, I appreciate your validation of a gift given me by the Holy Spirit. Thank you! I give thanks when the gift connects flawless with others in the body of Christ for purpose of, “Thy Kingdom Come…”
In our on going pathway brick laying we find Jane Herring writing a truth that connects brick to brick Kingdom building. You understood the concept and wanted to add to your walkway. Pause and think you are building brick paths in your vegetable backyard garden and God’s Kingdom and His will be done to furnish healthy food to His children in a earth where covid-19 is ravishing the earth. Thank you!
In the night a fresh spring arose from deep within of a song from Gaithers’ collection that included words by, “Words & Music By Gloria Gaither, C. Aaron Wilburn & William Gaither.” How often in time past did many groups sing and think we have worn this one out and need a new one to wear out. We sang, yes! Worn out? No, it’s God’s Holy Word and we need our connections of gift to gift to continue to see God’s Kingdom on earth as in heaven. Sing it with us now. I want God’s Blessings for my family and friends and yours. Do you have a need in your family? Maybe a hearts desire for a son or daughter and their journey on earth. They need a brick for their life’s path. As you sing along, and get to, It’s beginning to rain…you are joined by singers, prayers, writers, preachers and heavenly host alike so look up to the sky…🎼🎤🎤🎤🎷
🎼”The turtledove is singing its sweet song of morning
The leaves on the trees turn their silver cups to the sky
The silent clouds above are beginning to gather
The barren land is thirsty, and so am I
It’s beginning to rain, rain, rain, hear the voice of the Father
Saying, “Whosoever will, come drink of this water
I promise to pour My Spirit out on your sons and your daughters
If you’re thirsty and dry, look up to the sky
It’s beginning to rain”
The young man’s eyes start to shine as he tells of his vision
The old ones understand what he sees
For they’ve dreamed their dreams
With the thrill of being alive
They reach for each other
Just watch ’em as they dance in the rain
With the joy of the things that they have seen
At the first drop of rain that you hear, throw open the windows
Go call all your children together and throw wide the door
When the rains of the Spirit are falling, fill every vessel
For he who drinks his fill, will thirst no more
It’s beginning to rain, rain, rain, hear the voice of the Father
Saying, “Whosoever will, come drink of this water
I promise to pour my spirit out on your sons and your daughters
If you’re thirsty and dry, look up to the sky
It’s beginning to rain”
Thank you for sharing this song, Sara, and asking us to sing along.
“Worn out? No, it’s God’s Holy Word”…
…and I am reminded of a truth I have very often heard you share. A truth that has empowered you to add a brick to help build a “brick walkway” for so many. “A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Prov 25:11 AMP
So, thank you. I believe your ‘fresh spring’ is telling us that now is the time. Now is the time for us to sing along and “look up to the sky”…
“we need our connections of gift to gift to continue to see God’s Kingdom on earth as in heaven.”
What a wonderful devotional by Jane Herring. It captures my life step of sin and shame.
A brick was laid by Jane Herring which gives hope, that God can use all who have made mistakes and think God can’t use but God can….
The song by the Gaither’s says the rain of Heaven will come to the barren land of our souls. Rain Jesus upon us fresh rain from heaven so all that want come..
Jesus fill us up, our hope is in you. Drink of the fresh rain and as I pray I ask for all my family and all others I know and don’t know to drink of the rain from heaven.
I read a devotional from Streams in the Desert- page 214-215 that seems to fit right in:
Is the midnight closing ‘round you? Are the shadows dark and long? Ask Him to come close beside you, and He’ll give you a new, sweet song.
He’ll give it and sing it with you; and when weakness slows you down, He’ll take up the broken cadence and blend it with His own.
And many a heavenly singer among those sons of light, will say of his sweetest music, I learned it in the night.” And many a lovely anthem, that fills the Father’s home sobbed out its first rehearsal, in the shade of a darkened room.
Thus another thought from same book- Great faith must first endure great trials.
God’s greatest gifts come through great pain.
All three steps to hold onto in our journey as we walk with Him.