As I was out doing chores this morning, I noticed the rising Sun lighting up this part of the yard.
The picture doesn’t do the reality any justice, so I walked over and snapped one of the flowers.
Everything about this was a blessing to my heart.
But it was the wire basket on metal feet that God used to teach me this morning.
That wire on metal legs was brought home by my husband and I remember asking him what it was.
“No idea.”
I stood staring at the mostly black object and tried to pray.
“Lord, please show me what Your plan is for this thing.”
It was well made and didn’t have any rust or missing pieces to the wire, but someone had spray painted some very bright colors on two sides, but not in any kind of attractive pattern.
It almost looked like it had been “too close” to someone’s graffiti project.
As I looked at, it the Lord answered.
A planter.
“Uhm…I don’t know how that’s going to work…”
The wire mesh wouldn’t hold potting soil.
However, I didn’t have time to deal with it then and we moved it out of the way.
Days later I bought some Rust-Oleum spray paint and put down a board to protect the ground from paint and the paint from grass.
Because I struggle with the fumes it took me days to paint the thing, but when it was done it was much more attractive.
As I’d painted the Lord had brought to mind some extra dark green chicken wire leftover from the coop and we had some hay as well.
Once I got the planter where I wanted it in the yard, I lined it with the chicken wire and then used a large amount of hay to line that, finally I placed inside the potting soil and plants.
And this morning, after faithful watering, I was rewarded by beautiful blooms.
I doubt this item was designed to be a planter, my guess is something for sports equipment, but it had been cast off and unwanted.
Yet, God had a different plan for this and it included a cleaning, a fresh coat of paint, and being filled with something beautiful.
The lesson being, God’s ability to transform.
It’s what He is doing inside my heart every day.
He shows me something ugly or an area I’ve cast off or something I’m not utilizing, He cleans it and places His beautiful Word inside and before long, I’m surprised by blessings I never expected.
I praise God for His wonderful works to transform those things damaged by sin back into beauty.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV
Jesus, I glorify Your holy name this morning!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your lesson this morning. Thank You for holding me in Your ways and teaching me through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. I confess that I have been less than easy to deal with lately. I have no excuses, only repentance. Please restore those areas where I have been stiff-necked and bring about healing that I might not sin against You again in that area. Lord, You know my struggles and You understand my fears. I give both things to You and thank You for Your patience with me. Lord, please place a guard over my lips, that I might not speak unkind things. Please place Your Word in my mouth. Thank You for healing my heart and helping me to be honest yesterday. Thank You for watching over me and admonishing me when I was being self centered. Thank You for Your lessons, may I always be learning daily from You. I love You, Jesus. Blessed be Your name! Amen.
patientlyhopeful 