Stop and smell the roses.
I know, it’s a cheesy phrase that you’ve likely heard a thousand times. But today it struck me and when I looked up the definition, it settled in even deeper:
Stop and smell the roses
(idiomatic) To relax; to take time out of one’s busy schedule to enjoy or appreciate the beauty of life.
To stop and smell the roses means intentionally slowing down, lifting your eyes, and paying attention. It’s noticing the little things that give life meaning, the moments that make you smile, pointing out what’s lovely in the midst of everything else.
While at first glance it may seem frivolous, I wonder if it’s exactly how our souls are meant to live.
I’ve been circling around and around trying to pinpoint the purpose behind the work I do, the value of this weekly email, the products I create. Today’s pondering is exactly what I needed to fully articulate it.
Delight in your everyday.
I hope that’s what you experience through the words and art found in my books, on social, in the weekly emails, when you receive a package or simply scroll the website. I hope you are encouraged to delight in your everyday.
And, above all else, may the stopping to smell the roses remind you that God is good and you are loved.
xo,
Emily
Thank you for the reminder. I was telling a friend over lunch, that I think God intended for us to have an abundant life… not meaning in “things” but the important things. Children, family, friends. And, you are so right slowing down, lifting our eyes, and paying attention.
Emily, this is so, so good. It reminds me of one of my favorite passages, Romans 12: 1-2 from the Message…
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
I feel like delighting in the every day is the best way for us to place our ordinary life before Him as an offering…delighting is embracing all the good He does for us on a daily basis.
Thank you for the encouragement today! ❤️
Thank you Kate! I LOVE that version of Romans and find it to be so helpful in pointing us in the right direction!
I just wanted to say that is exactly what your posts and art add to my life… i delight in your art, your words, your observations. Your outlook and your wrestling with life’s purpose is an encouragement for my own life. I appreciate your introspection — i am wired similarly. I understand you and it makes me feel that how i process life is a gift -rather than something that needs to be fixed.
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and reminders of GOD’s goodness!
That’s exactly what I walk away with when I visit with you via your book or blog or weekly email: a sense of peace and reminder that God sees me. You have created a space that reminds me to slow down. To remember Who God is and who He says that I am. A reminder that I am loved as I am today. Thanks for sharing and writing and all you do.
As always this reminder to slow down was God’s perfect timing. The month of May gets super busy at our house. A lot of fun celebrating but also very busy. The reminder to pause and smell the roses will help me to be present instead of rushing on to the next thing.
For the past few months since I somehow met you online, Emily, I smile every time I see your name pop up on my screen. Your book should be arriving in my mailbox by Monday … and I just can’t wait.
You speak to my soul, your artwork makes me smile, I am calmed by your giftedness.
Wow, thank you so much for this thoughtful comment! xoxo
Emily as usual your email cheers me up. I look forward to receiving it each week. I have always been a practicing Christian but maybe didn’t spend as much time thinking about the scriptures as I should.
Your weekly “ lovely links” and thoughts have been a huge support in a year which has been hard for everyone.
I have read, watched and listened to things I never would have discovered. The podcast this week was very timely for me.
Thanks to you I discovered The Chosen, one of your lovely links. I am excited about season 2 episode 4 next week.
Thank you Emily for reminding me of God’s love .x
Thank you so much for sharing all of this! I love sending out the weekly emails and it means so much to hear that the links and resources are encouraging you!
Thank you Emily for helping me slow down so I can enjoy each day. Your thoughts and art are uplifting and such a blessing.
Hi I’m Hallie May Keefer
I love to grow dahlias. I use these cold winter months to use my photos and create watercolor sketches. I’m enjoying all of your beautiful, creative watercolors. Thank you for sharing.