PATIENCE

There are little green tomatoes growing on my very first tomato plant. The exact plant that my son gave me at the beginning of the summer that he started from a seed. It's been growing tall and blooming the sweetest little yellow flowers but then.....nothing. The flowers close up and drop off, never to do what I thought those little blooms were supposed to do. But last week I went out to do my usual watering, expecting to see the same green plant doing the same old thing and there in front of me were little green fruit hanging on the branches. Here it is, late in the tomato season. The weather is getting a little cooler and I thought that this plant would be the one plant in all of the city that hadn't produced a single yummy tomato. But oh the feeling of joyful surprise when I glanced down and saw that little green ball clinging tightly to the stem. Isn't that so like life? Wait, wait, wait... Many times with impatience and doubt. But that little green tomato reminded me that God does have a plan.... His plan. And His timing. Things may not always turn out with the results I had hoped for but many times, God reaches down and answers our prayers with a yes. Whatever His answer is, He asks that we trust Him in all things. So, I'm going to try to be a little more patient. I'm going to attempt, with the help of the Holy Spirit to remind myself that His timing is perfect. Isn't it amazing what a little tomato can do?

Her Garden

She finally sat down and then wandered how she would ever get up. The last two weeks had been so busy. Filled with non-stop happenings from dawn to dusk, each day had ended with her head landing in the pillow, wandering how she could keep up the pace. She wasn't young anymore and even though she was only her in 40's, lately she felt old and spent. With their business slowing and financial responsibilities weighing heavy on their shoulders, the what-if discussions of selling the house and getting a job for a little extra income had changed from scenario to reality. Not that it was an impossible situation. It wasn't. God was indeed growing them in faith and continuing to provide daily. There were undeniable events that could only be chalked up to one thing.... God's unending love and mercy. But there were things they couldn't ignore anymore. God was telling them to get their house in order, business wise and home wise. A family meeting was held and everyone was on board. Arrangements were made to begin readying the house to be put on the market and a job search was begun. Not that she had to take the first available opening. She could be picky and make sure the job fit her needs and talents. For that, she was grateful. And then, when she wasn't expecting it, a job fell right into her lap.... part-time. Perfect. She could work on the house (which by the way, was going to take some major de-cluttering before it was ready to market) Also, she was leading a weekly Bible study attended by 70 women. And her husband was out of town more now that things were tightening up at the office.

So, here she was. Pondering on the last two weeks. Things where falling into place. Her job at the church couldn't be any better suited for her. The regional conference had just finished so things should slow down at the church just a bit. She hadn't made much progress on the house but vowed that this next week would definately be better now that the Bible study was up and running and the conference was behind her. She counted her blessings. "Yes, times were hard but look across the fence and see what the neighbors were going through," she reminded herself. God was good. He doesn't promise continual roses in our garden but he does promise us help with the weeds. And boy, had she been weeding. For the last 5 years it seemed that she had been on her knees, crouching in between the rows of plants that needing tending and trying to tend a garden that was in need of care, small plants and big ones. Yet, the garden was still alive and thriving. Not because of anything she had done. She had only been listening to the master gardner who kept reminding her He was there. "Water that one," He says. "Pull that weed over there," He whispers. "That one needs a little fertilizer," He reminds her. And when one part of the garden ends up looking a little untended, He gently encourages her to manage what He has given her a little better. When storms come and the garden is damaged, He comes along side her and restored the beauty. Yes it may not look like it did before but new, more beautiful plants begin to sprout and then her garden becomes one unlike she could have ever imagined.

So, thank you, my Master Gardner. You've walked beside me and held me in the last few years through trials and sorrows, joys and triumphs. I trust that you know how my garden will look in it's finished state so I choose not to worry about how it will arrive there. I love you and know you will provide what I need to take care of things today. You are Jehovah Jireh. My provider. All praise and honor to Yours.

In the Hard times

Life is crazy. Times aren't easy. But God is good and He is showing himself strong every day. He's more than sufficient. Period. End of story. Without Him what hope do any of us have? His love, His mercy, His peace, His joy.... It's amazing when we are walking through junk, and I do mean junk, He's ready to pour out, pour over, infuse in, pile in, and pile on the things we need to grow, perservere, stand, understand, release, relax... well, I hope you get the idea. He is my all in all. I love Him. I worship Him. I bow before Him with praise and adoration. Thank you Lord for what you are showing me and how you are growing me.

The Faith Test

Tears flowed. It wasn't that she wanted anyone to see her cry. She thought she could be strong. Maybe that's why she had been avoiding coming here, knowing that the tears would come and not wanting to be in this place where she felt like she needed to bite her lip and pretend she felt strong. She didn't. Not today. She wanted to feel strong, especially for him. It was important to her that he thought she was going to be ok. She needed to let him know that she was going to be ok. And she didn't just think it, she knew it. The news had not been what they expected. The week had been difficult and she knew the stress on him was tremendous. But they had been here before. Not in actuality but in conversation, many times. The what if's. Now here they were, facing the what if's head on. Staring straight ahead into a future with no answers. Wait, that's not how she felt. There were answers. And it would have to be alright that Someone other than she knew what those answers were. She would trust. What else could she do? She would wait expectantly to see the picture unfold and trust that the canvas would be reworked by the Master to reveal a precious piece of art, showcasing His love and care.

Birthday Blessings

Today my oldest child turns 21. Where did the years go? I'm absolutely certain it was just yesterday when I was holding this tiny bundle in my arms and asking the Lord to equip us with what we would need to raise this small baby boy in a manner that would be pleasing to Him. Now, here we are. No, things haven't always been smooth and easy. We've hit some rocky spots along the way and we probably will cross a few more hurdles before he's completely on his own but I pause today to say, "Thank you, Lord. Thank you for our son who turns that pivotal age of 21 today. Thank you for the gifts and talents you have placed within him. Continue to guide and direct him and may he be ever mindful that your plan and destiny for him is where his happiness and fullment lie. Give him a hunger for your word and may he always be challenged to keep you first in all things, others second and himself last. Continue to strengthen him to keep himself pure as he waits for his soulmate. And Lord, bring others into his life that will lift him up and hold him accountable to your ways. Bless him with many years, Lord, and may he praise your name all his days!"

Fun with teens!

Well, Monday morning has hit and once again, the weekend went by faster than the flick of a snake's tongue. Kids were here, there and everywhere, as is usually the case anymore. More and more my better half and I seem to be doing things by ourselves, which is the way God intended as we get older. Though it never seems to fail, if we intend going out to eat, magically all 3 kids have nothing to do and either do the miriad of friends that are always in tow. But we really wouldn't have it any other way.

Sunday after church we came home and power cleaned for 2 hours. You know what I mean. Everyone has a job and you are standing there, dishtowel in one hand and mop in the other yelling GO, GO, Go like a drill sargeant who's training his troops for war. We host our church Jr. High on Sunday evenings and last night was SWIM PARTY AND COOKOUT! We had hotdogs left so we called the High School and they came over too. FUN, FUN! We talked everyone into a rousing game of Catch Prase which is really interesting when you have the ages of 11 through 45 participating. There were some kids who had never heard of W. C. Fields or even John Lennon and his wife, Yoko. My, I had to say I felt a little ancient. Tim and I hit the hay at midnight and we still had kids here. What it would be like to be free and easy in the summertime again! On top of everything, 3 friends of my daughter's ending up spending the night. Like I said, fun at our house.

I'm so grateful for happy times. Good friends and the right kind of fun, either with adults or kids, make lasting memories. God is good and He's good to me.!

Fighting the Confusion

A friend of mine died last night. He had fought cancer for the last few years and had fought bravely. He was the choir director at one of our high schools and he left behind a wife and 2 elementary age children. It's so hard to understand sometimes why God allows things that don't seem to make any sense to us. I know He loves us and I know His plan is perfect but...... I guess it all comes down to an issue of faith. And trust. Can I, through every situation, say "Lord, I trust you?" It's so hard to do. We, as humans, want to take control and tell the Lord, "Let me handle it. I'll get it figured out and then let you know what's the best plan of action in this situation." But in my heart, I know His plan is perfect. I know He loves us more than we could ever imagine and I also know that He will take care of my friend's family and provide for them.

Dear Lord,
Help us Lord to have peace about not knowing all the answers. Help us to completely trust in you in all things, even the hard stuff. Gives us peace about the answers of no that you provide when we were praying for answers of yes. Help us to reach out to each other and be your arms of love extended.

We love you. We need you. We live to glorify your name.

Amen