Heidi Viars

Stories about the Imago Dei and other Holy Moments

Impressions

This morning, some parts of the paths were still ice-covered. As I was walking, I noticed how many leaves had left impressions in the hardened snow and ice.

Gentle impressions and their impact might not be noticed immediately.
However, over time, what they touch changes.

In what might seem hard and cold on the surface,
God can work miracles, for His glory and our good.

“Lord, teach us to be kind and gentle.
Impress Your love on our hearts and deep within our souls,
So that we can in turn touch those around us.
Help us leave impressions of Your gentleness.”

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones,
holy and beloved,
compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Colossians 3:12
~
(Pictures and Prose by Heidi Viars, 2014)

Heidi Viars

March 24, 2014

Christian Poetry, Devotional, Prayer

impressions, kindness, patience

33 responses to “Impressions”

Danielle Street

March 28, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Hi Heidi, I found your blog through Wendy’s site (Green Light Lady). I love how you are noticing God’s creative fingerprints all around you. Then you are taking it a step further by creatively sharing with others what God taught you through the experience!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 29, 2014 at 7:13 am
  
  Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Encouraging others to notice God’s love and constant presence is the passion of my heart. What an incredible God, who made provisions for us to be near to Him, namely by giving us His only Son! Thanks again for stopping in. I am looking forward to checking out your blog and reading what He is doing in your life 🙂 Blessings
  
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greenlightlady

March 28, 2014 at 2:21 pm

Heidi, I love the gentle impressions those leaves have made in the snow, and the message you have shared with us. Jesus is both Lion and Lamb-gentle and victorious.

Blessings ~ Wendy ❀

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 28, 2014 at 5:19 pm
  
  Thank you, Wendy for your words of encouragement … may we walk with Him today in strength and meekness 🙂
  
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Jennifer

March 28, 2014 at 12:13 pm

I just love this! ❤

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 28, 2014 at 12:50 pm
  
  Thank you for your kind comment, Jennifer 🙂
  
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D. Raymond-Wryhte

March 28, 2014 at 10:35 am

Reblogged this on Word Wryhte.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 28, 2014 at 10:49 am
  
  Thank you very much for the re-blog!
  
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D. Raymond-Wryhte

March 28, 2014 at 10:34 am

The impressions are the result of sunlight. The leaf absorbs radiant heat from the sun, whereas the surrounding snow and ice reflects it. The leaf is in a cold environment. Nevertheless, it gets warmer than its surroundings, warm enough to cause melting. Without the sun, however, the leaf would remain frozen. Even so, Christians must absorb the Light of the Son of God if we are to have a warming affect on those around us.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 28, 2014 at 10:50 am
  
  You are so right with your comment! We can do nothing apart from HIM 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting, Mr. D.
  
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Nancy Ruegg

March 24, 2014 at 7:39 pm

You never cease to amaze me, Heidi, how you find poetry everywhere! And you always make me think. This time, those photos prompted me to realize the following: Though it might appear the leaves are making impressions in the snow, they are not really responsible. It is an unseen process of melting and evaporation at work. (I’ll bet you see where I’m going with this!) The unseen power of God at work in our lives creates the godly impression we desire. Unlike the leaves, though, I need to be a willing participant. God gives me the choice.

Thank you, Heidi!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:33 am
  
  Nancy, I feel so incredibly blessed that God who breathed the universe into existence, would chose to reveal His heart in nature, people, and circumstances all around to my limited understanding. Oh that He would allow us to know Him more each day… that is my heart’s desire!
  I so agree with you. Those leaves are too insignificant and temporal to make a lasting impression. That is what I thought, too! It amazed me that their gentle presence made such incredible holes in the ice …
  You poke the fire of my heart, sister, with your thoughtful comments! Blessings to you, as you seek to live in His unseen power today 🙂
  
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theywhoseek

March 24, 2014 at 5:03 pm

Heidi, what a wonder our Lord is and what wonders He can do in each of us when we let Him in. ~ Blessings ~

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:35 am
  
  Dearest Deborah, you are so right! May He open our eyes to His gentle work in and through us! Blessings to you, dear poet-friend 🙂
  
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Skye

March 24, 2014 at 4:38 pm

So lovely, Heidi!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:35 am
  
  Such a lovely God, Skye
  
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Widow Beach

March 24, 2014 at 4:36 pm

Seems to be a tough one sometimes, for this “edgy” sister. God bless you.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:37 am
  
  That “edgy” sister has touched many lives and left uncountable impressions for God! He IS using you!!!! Blessings to you!
  
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  1. Widow Beach
    
    March 25, 2014 at 12:38 pm
    
    Ohh, thanks for your encouragement, dear heart. God bless you abundantly.
    
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Debbie

March 24, 2014 at 12:55 pm

Crying as I read this .. thank you, Heidi. I have not always been as gentle and tender as I want to be. Asking Him to help me with that today. God bless you as you share impressions of Him!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:43 am
  
  Oh Debbie, God has given you such a gentle Spirit and works in so many ways through you. Be encouraged that our God, in Jesus, is fully capable to cover each unkind word and deed left undone … I am counting on it 🙂
  Much love and many blessings your way!
  
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Hammond Coates

March 24, 2014 at 12:21 pm

Reblogged this on Along Life's Path… and commented:
what is YOUR impression on those you meet today?

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heavenlyraindrops

March 24, 2014 at 11:41 am

Awesome Heidi. Your photo enhances your thots perfectly. Blessings

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:44 am
  
  Awesome God … I just push a button 🙂 Blessings to you, dearest Sue …
  
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Rene Yoshi

March 24, 2014 at 11:31 am

Amen in agreement to your beautiful prayer.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:45 am
  
  Thank you, Rene, for stopping by today! Blessings to you!
  
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Susan Irene Fox

March 24, 2014 at 10:58 am

Beautiful, Heidi. He does leaves deep impressions on our hearts if we let Him. Hopefully, we pass along that gentleness, grace and mercy that He has so generously left upon us.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:47 am
  
  He is so incredibly kindhearted to us. I am in awe of His gentleness and intimate involvement with His creation. What a God!
  Blessings to you, as He dwells in and with you, through our Savior!
  
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mnicholsghost

March 24, 2014 at 10:44 am

Reblogged this on Our Light Affliction.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:23 am
  
  Appreciate the re-blog and your thoughts and posts at your blog … Glad we got to cross (cyber)paths 🙂
  
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  1. mnicholsghost
    
    March 25, 2014 at 8:13 am
    
    Likewise. 🙂
    
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A Servant

March 24, 2014 at 10:41 am

Beautiful Heidi.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  March 25, 2014 at 5:21 am
  
  Beautiful God, Servant!
  
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