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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Glory Whisperers

cacoon no leaves

 

They call to me from my windows, daring me to bear witness to their Maker. Spectators of the everyday places below, perched confidently on their sky-stretched bleachers. Seemingly overnight they appear—nature’s answer to the Christmas tree.

Once barren limbs in waiting, now decorated garlands of brilliance—strands of tiny bulbs in shades of green that only spring could author. Swaddled in the glory, they’re sacredly woven—tightly, yet softly—all at once. Ever so slowly they arise, obedient to their high calling. Glory Whisperers, they are.

Envious of the glory, I give in to their playful taunting. Bounding down the porch steps, I sling my faithful sidekick across my shoulder, eager to see its lens interpret this nativity of spring.

Brittle, dormant grass of summer-past rumples beneath my heels as I circle the yard—my senses alive to the splendor. Every Gladys Kravitz hollers “Abner!” from behind peeled curtains. They’re curious of the neighbor, in the taupe house, snapping pictures of the empty limbs. So many empty limbs. The Gladyses don’t see the glory. I pay them no mind…the glory captivates me, I can’t un-see it.

We label spring with this extraordinary charge of being nature’s awakening, and aptly so, but—the awakening has an awakening. Before it awakens, it must become. Each click of the camera leaves me all the more enchanted as I wander the waiting area of nature’s delivery room. Un-birthed leaves line limb after dry limb…tightly wound pockets of promise, daily unfolding—becoming.

As my toes linger in a landscape that drips with the mystery of becomingness, my mind wanders to another landscape—another daily unfolding that is alive within each of us.

We drag kids out of bed and manage schedules. We wash dishes and prepare supper. We walk through Target trying to will our unruly feet away from So. Many. Clearance. Aisles. All the while, this careful unfolding is sprouting on the scenery within.

Pockets of promise—tightly, yet softly woven—evidenced through eye-shaped windows. Each day gently giving way to less of the becoming and more of the awakening—in shades of beauty that only the Rainbow Keeper could author. We rise up, obedient to our high calling. Glory Whisperers, we are.  Chasing Holiness

Glory Whisperers 1
Glory WhisperersGlory Whisperers 2(1)
Glory Whisperers

Glory Whisperers “…I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

 

 

 

We rise up, obedient to our high calling. Glory Whisperers, we are.
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~ Blessed to link up this week with #IntentionalTuesday , #RaRaLinkup , Titus 2sday , #TestimonyTuesday , #TellHisStory ,  Thought-Provoking Thursday , #DanceWithJesus , Faith Filled Friday , Faith ‘n Friends Blog Hop and Weekend Whispers ~  

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Comments

  1. Jodie says

    April 24, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Beautifully written.
    Love your photography .

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 24, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Thank you, Jodie. 🙂
      (((Hug)))

      Reply
  2. Wendy Munsell says

    February 12, 2016 at 11:19 am

    This post… a poem of praise to the Giver of Life, spoke His presence to me this morning. Thank-you for sharing the link to it at Hope*Writers!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 13, 2016 at 9:21 am

      Hi, Wendy, thanks for your sweet encouragement. Bless you. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lori Schumaker says

    February 13, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    Such beautiful poetry! And the image collage is fabulous! Absolutely breathtaking!!!!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 15, 2016 at 10:21 am

      Lori, you bless me. <3

      Reply
  4. Miranda says

    April 5, 2016 at 8:52 am

    Love this!! Very beautifully written and such a great reminder.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 5, 2016 at 6:10 pm

      Your encouragement blesses me, Miranda. Thank you for coming by and reading. ((sweet blessings))

      Reply
  5. Lisa notes says

    April 5, 2016 at 10:20 am

    When I see all those baby leaves on the tree—every single spring!—I can’t help but know there is indeed a God. All living things do whisper His glory. Thanks for sharing your words and photos.
    Lisa notes recently posted…Where will they die? Not in that tornadoMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:56 pm

      Me too, Lisa–His artistry and renewal–only God. Thanks for coming by and reading, great to see you. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  6. Crystal Storms says

    April 5, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Brenda, what beautiful words that cause me to pause and witness the becoming around me. Love the pictures at the end, friend. : )
    Crystal Storms recently posted…Intentional Tuesday Linkup {Week 57}My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      ((Crystal)) Thanks for being an encouragement, friend. <3 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  7. Linda Stoll says

    April 5, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    Brenda … I know springtime has blossomed when those tight green buds make their way to the forefront.

    Lovely, lovely. Them, this post, YOU!
    Linda Stoll recently posted…What’s It Like Being Married To You? ~ and the $40 Giveaway!My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 6, 2016 at 11:00 am

      Linda, thanks for bringing a smile to my face. I appreciate you, friend. <3 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  8. Anna Smit says

    April 5, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    Beautiful words. Creation is so full of His Glory. This is why I love to run in the dunes and forest. What an amazing Maker we have. Thank you for reminding us to still to behold Him in wonder.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 6, 2016 at 11:09 am

      Hi, Anna, thanks for coming by, it’s nice to meet you. 🙂 I just clicked over and saw the exciting news of your upcoming book release. Congrats. 🙂 May God bless the work of your hands. ((sweet blessings))

      Reply
  9. Karen A Del Tatto says

    April 5, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    The Lord has gifted you not only with photography, but in words.

    The poetry and Truth of this post is absolutely beautiful. The progression of your stunning pictures capturing the essence of all that you were conveying. The Scripture verse came alive with your pictures.

    I am so glad I stopped by here today! What a blessing it was!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 6, 2016 at 11:23 am

      Karen, what a blessing your words are to me. Thank you, friend. <3 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  10. Pam says

    April 5, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    Breathtakingly beautiful words and photos! You captured this season and its meaning and glory perfectly! I am so delighted to be your neighbor today at the Linkup at Intentional Tuesday! Thank you! Thank you!!
    Pam recently posted…What I Missed on the QuestMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 6, 2016 at 11:31 am

      Hey, Pam, great to neighbor you. 😀 Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement. ((hug))

      Reply
  11. Betty Draper says

    April 5, 2016 at 11:52 pm

    Beautiful

    Reply
  12. Carol says

    April 6, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Your post reminds me of the keen observations of nature that Lilias Trotter includes in her diaries and in her Parables of the Cross. Beautiful photos along with your inspiring words!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 7, 2016 at 9:22 am

      Nice to meet you, Carol. Thanks for coming by and reading–and for sharing your kind words. ((sweet blessings))

      Reply
  13. Betsy de Cruz says

    April 7, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    This is beautiful, Brenda. I want to be a Glory Whisperer for sure! So much glory all around us during the spring!
    Betsy de Cruz recently posted…Hope When You Need to Know How God Sees YouMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 8, 2016 at 3:47 pm

      Betsy, you already are a Glory Whisperer. 🙂 You bless. <3 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  14. Joanne Viola says

    April 8, 2016 at 9:18 am

    Beautiful post! The photos are truly breathtaking & point to the glory of our Creator. Grateful to have stopped here this morning. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 8, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Awe, thanks for dropping in and reading, Joanne. So nice to see you. Blessings back at ya. ((hug))

      Reply
  15. Joy Lenton says

    April 9, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    Hi Brenda. I really love this beautiful poetic post! Your words and images convey such grace and a deep soul gratitude for God’s creation. A really uplifting read. Thank you. So blessed to meet you and be your neighbour today at the Weekend Whispers link up! 🙂
    Joy Lenton recently posted…Whole: made whole in our shared brokennessMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 10, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      Hi, Joy, great to meet you. 🙂 So glad we were able to share words together, this week. Thank you for your sweet encouragement. ((blessings))

      Reply
  16. Carrie says

    April 9, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Fabulous post in celebration of our Maker’s spring! I’ve got to grab my camera and get outside soon. It’s been too long. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 10, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      Well, make make sure you share those photos when you take them. 🙂 Thanks for visiting and being an encouragement, Carrie. ((sweet blessings))

      Reply
  17. Deb Wolf says

    April 11, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Wow, this is so beautiful, Brenda! Thank you so much for linking up at Counting My Blessings!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 12, 2016 at 9:32 am

      God is quite the artist, isn’t He? 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Deb. Always good to see you. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  18. Denise Crosby (@amothersfaith) says

    April 24, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    This is so beautiful! Oh, the splendor of God’s glory is everywhere. Thanks, friend:)
    Denise Crosby (@amothersfaith) recently posted…A Glimmer of Hope in the DarknessMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2016 at 9:45 am

      Hey, Denise, great to see you. 🙂 Yes, His glory abounds. Oh for eyes to see. ((xoxo))

      Reply

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