Thrive

By Pat

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.

The Simple Trust of a Dog

By Pat

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.

Fill Me Up, Lord

By Pat

In 2 Kings 4:1-6, we read about the widow who needed money to pay her late husband's creditor, who was coming to take her two sons as slaves to repay the debt that was owed. Elisha instructed her to collect as many empty jars as she could and fill them with the oil she had left so that she could sell them and repay the debt, so she gathered up as many jars as she could from her neighbors. The small amount of oil she had flowed and filled all the jars, and when they had all been filled, she told her son to bring another one, but he said there were no more. It was then that the oil stopped flowing.

God was willing to continue filling as many jars as the woman could provide, just as He fills our empty hearts and souls with His blessings and provisions. But when we stop offering our emptiness to Him, He stops and waits for our empty jars to be held out to Him again. God's mercies are endless, and His love is overflowing, if only we continue asking Him to fill us up!

We sometimes hold ourselves back from God when things are not going well...we feel that God is distant and not listening anyway, so what's the use? We retreat, and find it difficult to even pray at times, but it's at those times we need to seek God even more diligently and ask him to fill us again. And we also sometimes withhold ourselves when all is well and our jars already seem to be filled. We wait, and we forget to keep those jars held out to God until we need something again. We forget that God knows what we need and is ready to give it to us, whether in times of want or times of plenty, and it's at those times that we need to thank God for what he has blessed us with and seek even more, so that we can complete the work He has for us.

No matter what's going on in our lives, we must never limit God's ability to fill us with His blessings by failing to hold up our empty jars for Him to fill. God loves to give us the good things He has for us. We need only offer our empty jars to Him, every moment of every day!

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

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.

God Says... "It will be worth it."

By Jason S (Connecting to Impact)

We all have situations in our lives that bring up the question of cost vs. worth.  Nearly every day, there are big concerns and little ones; ones we weigh carefully and others we decide in split seconds.  We don't want to be caught spinning our tires or wasting our time.

Sometimes we decide we've paid enough and walk away, but when we are walking away from something God spoke to us or led us into, we are guaranteed to miss out on something wonderful.

I like how the Amplified version puts Romans 8:28:

"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."

God gives us a part in all this. We aren't simply waiting around, but He partners with our labor in this work of restoration. That's restoration for ourselves and those around us.

We may be ready to bail, saying, "it's not worth it." Meanwhile, God is trying to get our attention to reassure us and tell us, "Just hold on. I know you can't see it now, but it will be worth it."

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Clear Vision

By Pat

I have finally reached the age that I need to wear glasses for reading purposes, anything close-up, so I bought some "readers" and use them for most of my smaller print reading. When used for this purpose, they are perfect. But yesterday, I left them on while I was walking around the house, and had to take them off. Everything that wasn't in my immediate sight was blurry and distorted and I'm lucky I didn't walk into a wall and bust my head open!

My faith is sometimes just like that. If I can't make sense of what is going on right now, I try to peer into the future and create scenarios for the days ahead that are blurry and distorted. I worry about the days ahead. I forget that today is the only day I have to reckon with, and that by focusing only on what's close-up and right in front of me, and trusting God with my tomorrows, I will be given what I need to successfully complete my tasks for TODAY. Only God can see the distance clearly. My perceptions may be inaccurate and unfocused, but God already has my future mapped out. If I focus on and live just for today, I can see clearly. God can handle the rest...I just need to trust and obey.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  (Matthew 6:33-34)

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.