Embracing change

Because change is good, it’s healthy.

The older I get, the more I find myself learning this truth.

As a young woman change was terrifying.

I lived in fear of bad things happening and did all I could to ward off danger.

But after living through years of loss, I learned change is healthy.

He used those years to teach me about the frailty and blessing of life.

Not to waste my time trying to avoid whatever may come (because many things are completely out of our control), but instead to invest in the day I have.

Which is why I can walk through our current changes and smile, even though my heart aches.

Our son-in-law and daughter and the grandbabies moved almost three hours away last weekend.

Our youngest daughter will move in a few weeks.

Our home will hold just three people, something we’ve not had in over twenty years.

Yes, my heart is missing them.

Yes, it’s a time of grieving a loss.

No, I’m not unhappy.

Because God is doing this and I’m so thankful for His guidance in each of their lives.

I’m practicing praise.

Praising Him for all He has given us.

Worshipping Him, so thankful He is directing their lives.

Honoring Him, because these people, who began as babies in our arms, never belonged to us, they have always been His.

I’m expectant, because although I don’t know what the future holds, I know Who is holding us.

May our lives, wherever we are, bring glory to His name.

Psalm 86:12 KJV — I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for change. Thank You for using life’s changes to shine into my heart and mind those things I would not have willingly learned otherwise. Lord, thank You for the patchwork of experiences which have brought me to this place. Thank You that You are using life to hone our hearts and help us learn dependence upon You. Lord, I rest in the knowledge that You have each of these dear people in Your hands and I thank You for all You are doing in their lives. Please continue to grow them in their walk with You. Please continue to provide for their needs and guide them in each day. Thank You for these dear people we love so much. Thank You for using them to teach me about You and Your love. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

The joy of growth

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the weather difference here.

Of course, it could just be an unusual year.

I have no history of the climate.

Yet, my joy in watching things bud and grow has been extensive.

Much earlier in the calendar year than expected.

But so welcome.

Growing things bring me joy.

The plants and trees outside the window are not the only growing joyful things around me.

I’ve been watching our children grow and learn a good deal of late.

Anne has stretched out in her painting.

Sis had encouraged her to try abstract and I thought the results were lovely.

When I think about the joy, of watching my children grow, I can only imagine the joy our lives bring the Lord.

As a child of God I’m never to stop growing and learning.

My whole life is a path, leading me closer to Him.

It’s not a smooth flat highway, it is a mountain trail, full of difficulties and opportunities.

With each step upon that trail, I am growing in Christ Jesus.

What a privilege! What joy!

And I’m not alone upon the path.

There are those farther ahead, whose lives bring teaching and wisdom.

There are those behind, people I’m privileged to share my lessons and experiences with.

There are those beside me, who are encouraging and supportive.

Yes, I’m truly blessed by growing things, especially the people growing in the Lord.

As I step out, into the path today, I’m so very thankful for the joy of growth.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your patience with me and my personal growth in You. Walking in Your path is a privilege although stretching isn’t always comfortable. Thank You for those ahead of me on the path. Their lives inspire me. Thank You for the ones beside me, such blessings and support! Thank You for those behind me. Please help my life to be an encouragement to them. Let them see Your faithfulness in my life and give them security in Your faithfulness to them. Lord Jesus, You made the Way to the Father and everlasting life. Thank You! What an incredible gift! May my life be an opportunity for You to reach others and encourage them to stretch, grow, and walk daily with You. I praise Your Holy name, Jesus!

…”like it was written for me.”

These little sprouts around the bottom of one of the lilacs made me think of new beginnings.

Ordinarily, I’d cut them back to force the bush to grow on the older wood.

I really don’t have time to garden, nor the energy, so they will stay as they are.

And the picture is a reminder of new growth.

In the Spring,
when the seedlings break through, there’s such expectation.

But with it is the realty of the winter past and choices of the future.

As with any seedling, there’s normally a need to thin out.

Which often means death and loss.

Plants which are crowded close together can not thrive and won’t produce to their best.

It requires pulling up some, for the best growth of others.

And I hate pulling up seedlings.

Yet, I’m never satisfied with the results when I ignore the task.

Bugs and plant disease are much more common in plants who live crowded together.

Each individual seedling needs to be washed in sunshine and given the freedom to stretch it’s roots in search of nutrients and water.

So, I thin out my seedlings.

This past year feels like God has been thinning my life.

Removing that which I saw as important and letting in the Son.

It’s been painful.

And He’s not finished yet.

Our family is going to be transplanted and that always causes a certain amount of time, discomfort, loss.

As I read my Bible this morning and all these things lingered in the back of my mind,

the words lept out.

It was like it was written to me.

“Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.”
Psalms 71:19‭-‬20 NKJV

My troubles are tiny on the scale of human tribulations.

But they have felt great and severe to me.

And through it all,

I have said, “Who is like You?”

Because He has been with me through it all.

His comfort has been my constant companion.

His Word, my healing.

And as David penned, so long ago:

“…(God) Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths…”

Psalm 71:20 NKJV

There isn’t any way for me to know what lies ahead.

But I’m secure in the knowledge of what my future shall be.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Holy Word. It has never lost it’s flavor or it’s life changing abilities. Your Words are truth and I am so thankful for them all. Lord, let me live by Your truth, growing more in it each day. Like a tiny seedling, I have no idea what You are going to grow through me, but I want to be willing for anything required to produce a crop for Your glory

Growth

This is a pumpkin plant in our garden.

Jase is holding the ruler because we are charting several plant’s growth this summer.

Yet, the idea of growth prompts me to look deeper.

How am I growing?

Have I allowed the Lord to water me today with His Word?

Are there any weeds in my heart which seek to choke out the seeds God has planted?

How do I tell the difference between a baby seed and a baby weed?

In the garden it normally takes a little time.

The same it true for my heart.

I have learned when I’m unsure if something is of the Lord I need to wait and not commit myself to it.

Prayer and patience have saved me from poor choices more than once.

A few days ago I was feeling tired and sad.

The garden of my heart seemed to be wilted.

I had sought the Lord in prayer, yet something was lacking.

I felt led to read Psalms.

I read and read, yet had not found the key to my need.

Psalm 139 was it.

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me.  You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” Psalm 139: 1-6 NKJV

Softly the truth of God, His love, His care, His understanding, renewed my strength.

I’m still growing with the Lord each day, and at times it feels fruitful and others it just hurts.

Yet, as I tend the plants in our garden I look to Jesus.

Dear God,

   Please continue to grow me in Your word and Your plan. Help me to recognize weeds and to uproot them. Show me where I’m lacking and please guide me in growth. I want to be a fruitful vine, yet I know it can only happen through You. Thank You for Your faithfulness, love, patience, and so much more. Thank You for never giving up on me. I love You.

Amen