I started Sunflower Anthem about 2 years ago when my Grandmother Louise passed away from Parkinson's Disease. Sunflowers always reminded me of her because every summer my mother would send me to visit family in California. I'd be gone 10 weeks with different family members, but my time with my grandmother was always precious to me. She lived in Northern California by a large field of Sunflowers. We'd often get sandwiches and pull over on the side of the road and eat them with the field of sunflowers as our audience. When we'd pass the closed bloom of the sunflower at night, my grandmother would often tell me, "They are sleeping."
Recently, my Aunt Theresa passed away due to complications with COVID. She lived minutes away from my grandmother and most of my memories of my summers are with the both of them. My Aunt was a vivacious, fun-loving, spiritual, and beautiful spirit. Each summer she'd take me and my two cousins (her daughters) on little trips. Sometimes to a neighboring city, other times to the ocean, but always the sunflowers were there to bid us farewell. I always felt like they talked amongst themselves about our adventures.
Sunflowers are sacred and studying about them has been eye-opening. I came to realize that I wanted to be like the young, tender sunflower who always follows the light. To me, that means looking to God in all things, no matter the circumstances. And, to realize that we are each on our own journey on this planet. No one's plan is exactly the same, and that's exactly what makes life interesting.
In our crazy, chaotic world sometimes we need to be reminded that all will be well. Here is YOUR reminder that YOU are needed, loved, and you have awesome potential before you. I wrote this poem one morning when I felt a little anxious and low. I thought of the people in the world around me who could use this message. Enjoy. Share. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
Much Love & God Bless,
Carol Sue Stuart
About the Author... Carol Sue Stuart is a blogger, author, poet and marketing adviser. Based in Arizona, Carol lives with her husband, three children, and two precious doggies. When she isn't writing, blogging, traveling, or getting into mischief, you can find her snuggled with a book and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. You can follow her on Instagram @TheMoonlightBella or on YouTube .
They've been teaching tools in my life and they've helped me travel many troubled and happy paths. Quotes from movies stick to my memory like good friends. I mean, who can erase the memory of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind pumping her fists into the air, declaring, "As God as my witness, I'll never go hungry again." Or, Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away, crying in anguish over the loss of his volleyball-friend into the vast ocean screaming, "Wilson!" But, one of the most poignant scenes in cinematic history, at least for me, is from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, when Sam and Frodo are climbing Mount Doom.
If you aren't a huge Lord of the Rings fan or even if you've never seen the movie or read the books, you'll still understand what I'm writing about, because I'm writing about friendship. I'm writing about love. Here, go with me a minute and you'll get a better picture.
In the movie, Frodo, the main character has to climb Mount Doom carrying the cursed ring. It is his own journey to take. It is his own cross to bear. No one can do it for him. But, he has his BFF, Sam along side of him. And in this beautiful, climatic scene, Frodo is worn down, tired, and he collapses under the weight of his trial.
Have you ever felt like that? Like life was just too much. You receive an awful diagnosis? You lose a well-paying job? You're going through a divorce? You failed a test? You file bankruptcy? Life, looks, well, bleak and hopeless.
We've all had trials or seasons in our life when the climb up our personal Mount Doom seemed too heavy to bear, too hard to journey onward, and perhaps, like Frodo, you collapsed at the thought of taking one more step. You crumble at the thought of what lies ahead of you, and as you lay down in the ashes of your lost hopes and dreams, you stare at the depths of your own Mount Doom and wonder, "How can I make it alone?"
Alas, this is where Sam comes in. Blessed, joyful, faithful, and loving, Sam. In the movie, Sam looks down at his dear friend, Frodo, who is weak and almost on the doors of death. But, dear Sam, looks Frodo straight in the eyes and says one of my favorite lines of all times:
"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."
Isn't it beautiful? We can't carry our friends or family members trials, those are for them to work through, but we can carry the individual. We do that in a simple text message, or a lunch date, or a phone call, or going with them to chemotherapy. We can be the Sam's in the lives of others by simply being by their side, pushing them onward, encouraging them with hope and, above else, our love.
I've been Frodo and I've been Sam.
As, I suspect, so have you. We are all on our own Hero's Journey.
Because none of us leave this life unscathed and untarnished by the realities of being a breathing, living human being (trust me, I've asked God several times to give me the one exception and it hasn't worked).
But, we do get control over one thing and that is love. And, we can be the much-needed Sam to a desperate, tired Frodo, trying desperately to make their way up their Mount Doom.
This past season for me, I've been Frodo. I know what it's like to look at the mountain I have to climb and want to give up and not take another step. I know what it's like to say, "I'm done. Leave me here." And, I know what it's like to feel the dark abyss of a scary journey ahead of me. But, God has given me Sams along my path, along my journey, and up my mountain.They've lifted me up, threw me over their shoulder, and carried me up the mountain.
But, also, I've been Sam before. Making a good friend laugh at a difficult time in their life, helping them along their uneven path and guiding them on their way. I've been able to help friends move one step closer to their destiny and conquer their biggest Mount Dooms.
So, whether you are Frodo or Sam, it makes no difference, because in the end love will always win. You will conquer your Mount Doom, dear Frodo, I've read the book and you come out as a conqueror. And to the Sams in this world, keep on doing what you are doing. Loving and carrying the sweet soul up their mountain, until at last this season has passed.
And, it will pass.
But the love of the journey will always remain.
{Here is the clip of the scene. It's worth the two minutes.}
About the Author... Carol
Sue Stuart is a blogger, author, poet and marketing adviser. Based in
Arizona, Carol lives with her husband, three children, and two precious
doggies. When she isn't writing, blogging, traveling, or getting into
mischief, you can find her snuggled with a book and a plate of chocolate
chip cookies. You can follow her on Instagram @TheMoonlightBella.
The other day while I was shopping I heard
the cutest exchange between two little girls. They couldn’t have been any older
than eight and they were obviously good friends as they giggled and discussed normal
eight-year-old subjects. I didn't pay attention to their conversation until I heard this interaction: “Let’s go swimming at Jayden’s house,” Little
Girl #1 said. “My mom can drop us off.” “No way,” Little Girl #2 said, putting her
hands on her hips. “Why?” Little Girl #1 asked. “Jayden has too many issues,” Little Girl #2
answered firmly. Little Girl #2 nodded in agreement to her friends analysis and
off they ran. Like I mentioned earlier, I laughed. But the
two little girls got me thinking about the word "issues". I vividly remember when the word
“issues” became synonymous with a person having major problems, typically emotionally, in life. I'd heard it when a good friend
mentioned that her own issues in life could fill several books. Yet, in all reality we all have issues. We
all have problems we are either dealing with or we are denying, but we have
them. They wake up with us and they go to bed with us. Sometimes they rob us of
sleep and other times they are the reason we sleep. I have yet to meet a person
that doesn’t have some type of problem they are dealing with. No one is perfect.
No one is immune. But the other day while reading the book of
Jeremiah I came across a profound scripture that changed my perspective on how
I deal with my own issues. It breathed new life on how I can become a strong
woman amidst the chaos and hectic realities of life. After reading this
scripture I sat back in awesome wonder of God’s word and then I made a list of
how I could become all of the things it mentioned. I dubbed it: How can I
become a Jeremiah Tree? It's a lofty goal, don't get me wrong. But very attainable. You’ll see why. Let’s go real quick and read it. It can be
found in Jeremiah 17: 7-8.
“But blessed is the one who trust in the Lord, whose
confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that
sends out its roots by the stream,
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are
always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and it never fails to bear fruit.”
So there it is. The Jeremiah Tree I want to become. And, I suppose so do you. Who doesn’t want to have no fear, to always
be lush and green and have no worries? Who doesn’t want to always produce good
fruit into the world? I mean, seriously. This verse is awesome. But it leaves
one solid question—How do I become a Jeremiah Tree? I read the verse over and over again and then
I made a list. First, I wrote out all of the promises in the verse. Then, I
created a second list of how do I become such a person. Here’s the first list. All of the Promises:
1.“No Fear when
heat comes…”No fear in the face of adversity or troubles.
No fear when problems arise that you don’t understand. No fear when life turns
upside down. No fear when the daily troubles of life arise. No fear when a bad
diagnosis comes. No fear when life hits hard. You will stand strong in the face
of any difficulty or problem that comes your way.
2.“It’s leaves are
always green…” You will always be
healthy, whole, vibrant, and joyful. A healthy tree has green leaves and is
lush. You are a healthy tree who will always be green. You will be so healthy
that you will provide shade for others. You will be vibrant and whole. You will
have a healthy body and a clear, focused mind and well-being.
3.“It has no
worries in a year of drought…” God is
your provider. He provides all things for you and your family. You will not
worry in the face of job loss, transition, financial problems, or when the
world starts to stress. You will face whatever happens in life without worry.
Droughts in your finance, in relationships, or whatever form they takes—you
will not worry. God provides all.
4.“It never fails
to bear fruit…” You will always bear good
fruit. You will be prosperous and joyful. You will be comfort to others who are
in need. You will be a helping hand to strangers. You will spread joy to others
around you. You will provide well for your family. You will be abundant and
everything you touch will be successful. You will always bear good fruit
because it promises you will never fail
in this area. Oh, you’ll have failures, but you will bounce right back up and
be successful again.
Aren’t those awesome promises? Now, it’s
times for the big reveal—how do I become a Jeremiah Tree? That answer isn’t as
easy, nor is it as difficult as I thought. I could write an entire book on the concepts, but for now, you'll have to take my two paragraphs and prayerfully consider them. How do I become a Jeremiah Tree?
1.“Trust in the
Lord, whose confidence is in him…” You
will trust God 100% in all things. I know this isn’t easy. But, daily you
submit to him in prayer. Tell him your fears and worries. Tell Him your doubts
and expectations. Tell Him your story. He loves you. Heck, he created you. He
wants to hear from you. Today. Do it. Put your trust in Him.
2.“Sends
out its roots by the stream…” The word of
God is the first thing you need to hold tight to. Read it daily. Digest His
word into your soul. Don’t just nibble on it, feast on His words. Take them
into your soul. The word of God is powerful and can heal a broken soul. Another
way you can send your roots by the stream is to surround yourself with strong,
spiritual people. People of faith. People who will encourage your daily walk
with the Lord. Find these people. Talk to God, he’ll show you where to find
these people. Find a church and plant yourself there. Third, prayer. Daily
prayer. Send out bold prayers to God and watch what happens. Miracles happen when you get on your knees and pray. I've seen it in my own life numerous times.
So there it all is, folks. The promises of becoming a Jeremiah Tree. Whatever issues you have, and we all have
them, take heed of the promises found in Jeremiah 17:7-8 and become a solid,
fruit-bearing, fearless, healthy Jeremiah Tree. It is possible. Of this I am
sure. Now, get going and go plant yourself by the
stream!
About the Author... Carol
Sue Stuart is a blogger, author, poet and marketing adviser. Based in
Arizona, Carol lives with her husband, three children, and two precious
doggies. When she isn't writing, blogging, traveling, or getting into
mischief, you can find her snuggled with a book and a plate of chocolate
chip cookies. You can follow her on Instagram @TheMoonlightBella.
When the new year comes around everyone is looking to improve their body. We make goals like, "Eat more Spinach" and "Go to the gym five times per week," but we often neglect our spiritual side. This past year I've really dived in deep and read some awesome books that helped with developing my spiritual side. I've made a list of ten books for spiritual growth.
2. Drum roll please...Presenting Mr. Bob Goff (one of my favorite peeps) and his lovely book, Love Does. If you EVER needed a book to feel better about humanity, read this book NOW. It's filled with funny stories and applicable ways we can show love to those around us. Plus, it's funny.
3. She's funny, witty, and makes me laugh about the messiness of my own life. You've got to read Rachel Hollis's book, Girl Wash Your Face. It's a must read in this crazy age of self-doubt, criticism and above all when we forget we are daughter's of God.
4. This gal's got two books on my list, but I'm starting with this one because it's for those of us who have felt ourselves pump our fists to the heavens and say, "Why me?" As always, she gives real-life scenarios and good Godly wisdom. This is Lisa Terkeurst's newest release, It's Not Supposed to Be This Way.
5. As promised, Lisa also takes slot #5 for her previous book, Uninvited. This book digs deep into the things that make us feel less than we are by helping us seeing the divine potential inside each of us. Such a great book!
About the Author... Carol
Sue Stuart is a blogger, author, poet and marketing adviser. Based in
Arizona, Carol lives with her husband, three children, and two precious
doggies. When she isn't writing, blogging, traveling, or getting into
mischief, you can find her snuggled with a book and a plate of chocolate
chip cookies. You can follow her on Instagram @TheMoonlightBella.
Amazon Associates Discloure
Carol
Stuart is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites
to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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