A few weeks ago, as I was working on clearing out my flower beds, I decided to move some plants from the front yard to the backyard. I dug them out and carefully transplanted them to a strategically chosen spot where I knew they would do better.

For the first several days, I had to baby the transplants, keeping them watered frequently because they would wilt very easily. After they would receive their drink, they perked right back up, healthy and strong, but by later in the day they would start wilting again. They were not used to their new surroundings and their roots were shaken. However, with persistant care, the roots became accustomed to their new spot, and the plants strengthened and settled in nicely, and are now thriving.

I couldn't help but realize how similar the plants and I are. Whenever God moves me, tries to begin a new work in me, I resist. I feel uncomfortable in my new place, and I wilt. But God knows where I will thrive and bloom, and He patiently encourages me with His love and waters me with His grace. His goodness shines on me like the sun shines on my on my plants. After a while, I realize that, as usual, God was right, and I gain my footing. I go from striving to thriving, and I bear fruit for His Kingdom.

If you find yourself being transplanted, whether literally or figuratively, remember that God knows exactly where you need to be to grow to your full, beautiful potential. After all, it's His garden and you're His plant! Allow Him to do a little digging and let your roots settle in and spread. But don't let yourself get too comfortable...you never know when the Gardener will head your way with a shovel again!

"I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:1-2)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

It's funny how, as a Christian, my perception of the word "riches" is very different than the world's perception. As we observe the society surrounding us, we see the desire for bigger homes, better jobs, faster cars, cooler technological toys, and greater beauty. It's easy to become caught up in the quest for the acquirement of these worldly possessions, and to compare ourselves to others, but I have become much more interested in attaining riches of another kind.

My car is over ten years old...but it runs! My house is clean and it has a roof on top. I am content with that! We struggle at times to get all the bills paid, but still try to always think of and do for those who have less. It's not what you GET that makes you rich...it's what you GIVE. I like that! I am rich!

I want to be more generous in kind words and deeds, in unconditional love and acceptance. I want to offer a simple meal to a friend in need, an extra blanket to someone living in the streets. I want to have a heart filled with quick forgiveness, thus being rich in grace, for I have had grace richly and generously given to me by my Lord. I want to be quick to smile and I want to laugh easily so that I am rich in good humor. I want my trust in God to deepen daily and my faith to grow stronger, and I want to share that faith with others. I want the world to see that I am very rich indeed...in all the ways that really matter to God, so that it is clear that riches are the things in the heart. The things that really make a difference. The things that last. If I die with not a penny to spare, I will still die a rich woman, and I am so very thankful.

"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

I often think of how quickly time goes by, and wonder if, at this stage in my life, I have wasted my youth on things that were not what God would have wanted me to do. I'm certain I have not utilized my God-given talents on God-chosen tasks, and I view the future with resignation, not joy. After all, I'm past my prime. What can I possibly offer God now?

God view us differently. He created each of us uniquely, and He knows not only what our talents are, but when to use them. And unlike flowers, we can bloom at any age, many times, all throughout our lives. Timing is everything, and God's timing is always perfect if we trust in Him and allow Him to use us as He sees fit. The Bible is full of examples of God surprising someone who thought they were past the age of making a great difference in His kingdom on earth. Just look at Abraham and Sarah! Who could have predicted the wonderful turn of events in their waning years, and the impact it would have?

In John 2:1-10, we learn of the first recorded miracle of Jesus: the wedding in Cana. After the wine had run out, Jesus turned water into wine. The master of the banquet didn't know where the new wine had come from, and he called the bridegroom aside to compliment him; "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best for last." (John 2:10)

God is a God of surprises, so never be discouraged that your prime time to serve has passed you by. Who knows what God has planned for your life, and when? Perhaps, like the wine in Cana, He has saved the best for last!

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

The perfect loom would weave the perfect blanket.
But that is quite impossible.
When looking at a blanket that has been weaved you can see faults.
The tassels are never equal to the ones beside them.
The pattern is disturbing.
Many colors clash instead of flowing together as in a rainbow.
But most importantly, the blanket lacks the purpose of warmth that it should have.
The world we live in is unequal.
Unfortunately the world is filled with war and discord to a point where unity is almost unrecognizable.
There is a constant pattern of hate in a school or on a city street which is very recognizable.

The environment we live in is filled with selfishness and hate towards one another.
When looking at a rainbow you can see how the colors blend nicely together.
We look at the people around us and we want to be able to say the same.
How come we can’t associate our skin colors to be the same as a rainbow of colors?
We find that we want to live in a world of warmth.
We want to feel the love all around us.
To see people lending a hand to one another out of love, but that is not the world we live in.
Unfortunately, no matter what is done we can never change every fault in the world.
The tassels, the pattern, the color, and the warmth will never reach the outcome of perfect.

"Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull." (John 19:16, 17)

This is the time of year referred to by Christians as Holy Week. It is a reflection of the week leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, a very somber time for Christians as we think about our Lord walking the loneliest walk He would ever have, and carrying his own cross to where He knew he would suffer a horrible death. I can't begin to imagine the terror and dread He must have felt. And yet, He continued on with dignity, courage and strength. He obeyed His Father. He knew that if He trusted in God, no matter what, God would not let Him down and would provide the necessary tools to bear the burden, and that He would be rewarded for His faith.

What cross are you carrying? Do you carry the weight of financial difficulties? Is your cross physical ailments? Perhaps you carry the cross of family discord or difficulties with children, or maybe you carry a combination of more than one of these things. Do you bear your cross with the obedience and faith of Jesus? Do you trust in God to walk your lonely paths with you?

No matter what you're carrying, you're not alone. Jesus has walked that road, carried His cross, and knows better than anyone what you're going through. He will help you carry your cross, and if you keep your eyes on Him, you will be victorious, whatever the outcome may be. This life is temporary, and we were not promised a trouble-free journey. The only thing that matters is maintaining your faith, following through, trusting God, giving Him the glory, and focusing on eternal life with Him, courtesy of the greatest gift we will ever receive-our crucified and risen Lord Jesus.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." (Mark 16:6)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

I have always agreed with the Gaelic Proverb that says, “Modesty is the beauty of a woman.”  The problem today is that everyday people and many celebrities show their beauty in a way that contradicts the Proverb.  The world today views true beauty as outward appearance.  By outward appearance, I don’t mean a girl’s face, but I mean the way she dresses and the cleavage she shows.  In a random 20 person survey, guys were asked what they would rather see a girl dressed in.  Five guys voted that they would rather see a girl wearing tight-fitting, revealing clothing.  Eight guys voted that it depends on the situation.  Seven guys voted on sweat pants and a comfortable look.  A lot of girls use their clothes to show exhibitionism.  Their clothes act as the extravagant behavior to attract attention to themselves. 

Many girls believe that in order for them to be beautiful they have to show off their body.  Many girls believe that showing skin is sexy.  Christina Mead once said, “Don’t let the crowd tell you that skin equals sexy, and that’s the only way to be beautiful.”  She shares a great point.  If you walk around a school you see many girls, more than you can count on your hands and toes, who reveal themselves.  Girls get it in their heads that if they have their boobs out then they will be sexy and beautiful.  What they don’t know is that scandalous is not a true beautiful way to look.  When they show off their bodies they also lose the sense of wonder.  Emma Watson said in an interview, “What’s sexy about saying ‘I’m here with my boobs out and a short skirt, have a look at everything I’ve got?’ My idea of sexy is that less is more.  The less you reveal the more people can wonder.”  Her statement about less is more, meaning the less you reveal is more, is a statement of respect.  When you show yourself off it is a statement of disrespect towards yourself.  An anonymous man said, "The girl who chooses to be modest chooses to be respected. 

A boy who is honest with himself will admit that he likes a girl who is modest in speech, conduct, and dress.  Modesty is one of the great virtues he looks for in the girl he hopes to marry.  Most of us know what is modest, and most of us know when modesty ends and immodesty commences.  We know that nothing detracts from the loveliness of a young lady more than immodesty in speech or immodesty in conduct.  A girl fools only herself if she thinks she is impressing a boy by immodest conduct.  The young lady who dresses in an immodest manner ceases to be attractive and embarrasses the young man.  She has called his attention to the person rather than the personality.  The girl who chooses to be modest, chooses to be respected.”  This man has a grasp on life that many women and men do not.  When you disrespect yourself you are setting yourself up to be judged.  An anonymous man states that “what you put on your body ‘talks.’  And, everyone who sees you ‘hears’ what you’re saying.  Dressing modestly is important because those around us judge us by how we appear.  What you wear tells others who you are.”  I don’t know if you want people around you talking about you in a way of disrespect.  Many girls like to say mean things and when you are immodest you give them a free ticket to talk about you all they want.  I don’t know if you care if they say “she’s a slut” or “she only cares about hooking up,” but I surely do care.

Girls need to realize that guys want a confident, respectful, real girl.

Another problem facing our society in the concept of modesty is, the men.  Girls believe that dressing immodestly is what guys want.  To be honest, some guys do want just that.  Those guys just want the “action.”  There are also many other guys who choose differently, and they are the guys that matter.  A real guy who likes you for who you are on the inside would want you to be covered up and does not care about the revealing clothing.  Taylor Lautner says “I think a girl is most attractive when wearing sweats and just being herself.”  When Chris Evans was asked “What in a girl makes you melt?” he says “I’m a sucker for modesty.  When you find someone who is beautiful, talented, intelligent, and compassionate and who can still look at herself in the mirror and have no idea that she’s wonderful, that’s just so attractive to me.”  Chris is actually talking about modesty in the personality context.  It goes along with clothing modesty because in order to be modest on the inside, you have to start by being modest on the outside.  “I like a girl who doesn’t put style before comfort.  I like natural, unmade-up look-a girl who is comfortable not only in her clothes but in her own skin” states Hayden Christensen.  He is just another of many guys who could care less about how much a girls’ outfit reveals.  Many guys actually want girls to dress modestly.  They see immodest women and wish they chose differently.  Howard W. Hunter says in his book for girls to "Dress modestly.  You girls go and find the modest clothes and wear them, make them as beautiful as you can and be attractive and make up to your boyfriends in bright intellect and sweet spirit and attractive demeanor that which some girls can only do with their bodies.  It is a pretty weak girl if she has only her body to attract somebody."  Girls need to realize that guys want a confident, respectful, real girl.  They do not look at the immodest girls when looking for the real girls.  When I say real, I mean a girl who can say “I am wearing modest clothing because I believe that I am beautiful no matter what.”

Modesty comes down to having confidence in yourself.  You have to have the confidence to say you want someone who appreciates you for who you are not the clothes you wear.  A designer named Anna Hawkins says that she would “rather have someone appreciate me for who I am rather than the way my body looks.”  She understands that your outward appearance will lead you to heartbreak and disappointment.  This all comes back to a sense of respect.  Respect for others and respect for yourself.  Modesty is also a sense of feeling beautiful within.  It is about feeling comfortable in your own skin.  Angelina Jolie shares that she “often felt unattractive or different looking.  As I’ve grown up, I’ve felt more comfortable in my own skin.  It may sound cliché, but when you feel beautiful and strong on the inside, it shows on the outside.”  I can’t stress enough how modesty starts with confidence.  “The expression a woman wears on her face is more important than the clothes she wears on her back.” Dale Carnegie states.  Girls need to start wearing a bigger expression on their face to get noticed, not less clothes on their bodies.

Many women are so preoccupied with turning men’s heads that they overlook their power to turn our hearts.

Françoise Sagan says “A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to want to take it off you.”  Personally, I find this disgusting.  Clothing is not supposed to be a way to seduce someone.  The problem is that girls choose to think differently.  A man states that “Although a girl deserves respect no matter what she wears, a guy can tell how much a woman respects herself by how she is dressed. If she does not respect herself, the odds are that guys will follow her lead. In the heart of a woman, there is no desire to be a sex object. Is there a desire to receive attention, affection, and love?  Certainly, but is there a desire to be reduced to an object? No girl wants to go there, but many do for the sake of receiving emotional gratification.”  Sometimes girls don’t act like themselves because they are trying to impress a guy.  They often dress inappropriately to impress him.  An author from chastity.com said “A woman who dresses modestly inspires a guy in a way that I am not ashamed to admit I cannot explain. I suppose it is safe to say that it conveys your worth to us. When a woman dresses modestly, I can take her seriously as a woman because she doesn't look like she's begging for attention. She knows that she’s worth discovering. Such humility is radiant. Unfortunately, many women are so preoccupied with turning men’s heads that they overlook their power to turn our hearts.”  When you find true love you have turned a guy’s heart, but your love is fake if you have just turned his head.  He “loves” you because of the clothes you wear not the person you are.  Honestly, I feel bad for the girls who lack the confidence in themselves.  In today’s society it is very difficult for a girl to look at herself and think she is beautiful.

So it all comes down to the question, “what exactly is modesty?”  Modesty means freedom from vanity. Vanity means excessive pride in one's appearance.  Sir Richard Steele says “nothing can atone for the lack of modesty; without which beauty is ungraceful and wit detestable.”  Atone means make amends for a wrong and detestable means hateful.  A lack of modesty is looked upon as ungraceful and hateful.  When you girls get dressed for wherever you are going think twice about your outfit.  When you have to ask the questions “is this too short” or “is this modest” you found your answer.  Make the right choice and don’t refrain from chastity.  An anonymous man said that modesty “is not about looking as ugly as possible. It is about taking the natural beauty of womanhood and adorning it in a way that reflects one’s true identity.”  Reflect your true beauty.  Girls, find a guy who cherishes you for you.  A guy that would give you a coat if he thought your outfit was immodest.  A guy that likes you for who you are, not the clothes you wear.  Most importantly, always remember that “modesty is the beauty of a woman.”

Many times through the years, I have prayed for God to help me to be more worthy. I would go before God in prayer feeling dirty, sinful. Ashamed. Not good enough. Not worthy. I would approach God almost embarrassed to present my requests to Him, certain He was disappointed in me for being so, well, unworthy.

But then God reminded me, gradually, that no matter what I might be feeling about myself, He sees me differently. He actually WANTS me to be His child, to feel special and loved, but not because of anything I did. I am worthy because the blood of Jesus has cleansed me and made me worthy. That's what did it! I need not feel ashamed, for the wonderful sacrifice Jesus made for me has freed me from the chains I surrounded myself with. I am free and I am loved. God wants me, warts and all.

I now approach the throne of God not timidly, but boldly, reminding myself when necessary that God found me, a sinner, worthy of Him, the Almighty, when He sent His son to pay the heavy price for my sins. I have a new awareness now, a greater and more profound gratitude in my heart. A humbleness I had not known when Satan was whispering lies into my head. I will never be perfect, but thanks to Jesus, I will always be worthy.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

My golden retriever, Lillie, is getting old. She's ten now and her age is showing in the difficulty she has at times getting up and down, and especially in climbing steps. At one time, she bounded effortlessly up the steps to bed every night. Now at bedtime she goes very slowly and cautiously, sometimes stopping after she gets part of the way up. So we now have a new routine. I go down the steps and meet her wherever she is and walk up beside her, encouraging her with my hand lightly on her back. Once I reach her, she begins the rest of the journey up. She feels more confident knowing I am right there at her side.

My walk with Jesus is like this. Sometimes I feel all alone and unable to climb the stairway of life on my own. My steps are uncertain, and I am cautious, sure that I will fall or be unable to finish. But then Jesus shows up, and as soon as I feel the comfort of His presence beside me, I can continue my climb knowing that if I stumble or become too weak, He will give me the encouragement and strength I need to make it.

I need to be more like Lillie. I need to simply wait for Jesus to make His presence known to me so that I can walk forward and upward with confidence. Lillie's faith and trust in me is very simple, but I allow my faith at times to be too complex. My aging, sweet dog has taught me a lesson about simple trust, and I am have learned from her. Perhaps someday I will be as smart as my dog.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

The daily devotional I like best consists of short devotions written by people all over the world, regular, ordinary people just like me. Many of their thoughts and feelings echo mine, and I can relate. Others write about things I have not encountered, and from them I can learn. Some of the stories submitted include pictures of the writers. They are men and women, young and old, black, white Asian, Indian...you name it. I don't know them, but yet I feel a kind of kinship with each one, a bond I cannot explain.

We are all different, but yet the love of God, the blood of Jesus makes them feel so familiar to me. They are my brothers and my sisters. The common bond of faith makes them dear to me. The blood of Jesus is like that-it turns strangers into family. This love unites us in a way unlike anything else I know. It's nothing I can really even explain coherently, but I feel it just the same.

Jesus took twelve strangers in different classes, occupations and walks, and just by being Jesus, He joined them together and created a force. The common sharing of their love for Him enabled them to change the world. And we, too, by joining with our brothers and sisters around the neighborhood or around the world, can make a difference, for it's not the blood running through our veins that make us family. It's the blood of Jesus covering us all. What an awesome power-what an awesome love!

"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:50)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Ash Wednesday was last week, the day that marks the beginning of Lent. In churches worldwide, Christians receive the mark of a cross on their forehead and wherever they go, they are seen as followers of Christ.

I hope the world around me can label me a Christian after I have washed off the remnants of that cross, because it takes a lot more than that to show your faith and to proclaim your Christianity. In fact, the things most effective are not visible at all, but yet they speak volumes and can change the world.

Let me have the invisible cross of loving-kindness, generosity and gratitude. Let me give love unconditionally and forgive without hesitation. Let me be quick to hold another's hand, and just as quick to hold me own sharp tongue. Let my actions, words and thoughts be Christ-like. Let me be an empty vessel, ready and willing to be used by my Lord every moment.

The cross on my forehead on Ash Wednesday is nice, and I like it. But the unseen cross, the one I carry in my heart and soul, is the one that really matters. Nothing can wash it away. I pray that God will help me to be more like Jesus, so that people know I am a Christian not by what is on my forehead, but by how I live my life.

"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:18)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.