Sometimes life is just hard. So, how do you keep growing during the dry seasons?
This lone pink flower stopped me in my tracks today. Why? Because it's just one more reminder, among many lately, to keep growing where I've been planted. I planted a big garden this year--finally! And each morning I take some time to walk quietly through the beds. It's been a sweet time of reflection and an opportunity to take joy in the simple things of life. Just a week ago, these wave petunias were blooming in style where they had been planted in their small pot on the back patio. The colors were vibrant, and the pot was full of cascading blossoms! And then I had the crazy idea to transplant a small batch into one of my garden beds. It needed some color--some life. So, I uprooted them and moved them to a new home. Sounds a lot like real life, huh?! Are you feeling excited? Anxious? How do you handle change? If you're anything like me, change is exciting and full of potential. I've lived in 20+ homes in the last 30 years and spent time living in 5 different cultures. Change has become a part of my DNA. I mean...just look at our family--four kids in less than six years! But if you're anything like my husband, change is stressful. When we first got married, he'd give me such a hard time when he'd finish work and come home to a rearranged living room or a freshly painted bedroom. He's not one to like last-minute changes in our plans or adjustments being made to his favorite restaurant menu. (But don't worry, he absolutely loves our four girls! He'd have six more if I let him. Well, boys that is!) Anyway, these pink blossoms quickly browned after their big move. I split them from the main root system and failed to get a good section of their roots to bring with them. But I figured, what the heck?! Change is good, right?! Day after day this week, I walked through my garden, watering my plants and hoping to see life return to my pink petunias. The leaves continued to brown. The blossoms started to wilt. And everything looked a bit too crispy. I mean let's be honest...sometimes, life is just hard! We lost our fifth baby right before Easter this year. It was our first experience with a miscarriage, and hopefully our last. Death is not okay. Zach just quit a good job for a number of different reasons. I'm fully on board, but we don't have a Plan B. And sometimes the unknown can be scary. We have a butt-load of cute girls that are super whiny and selfish and wonderful. Just a few months ago we were in a great rhythm as a family, and now?! Well, let's just say I have a few more gray hairs and am praying daily for extra patience. While I absolutely love my children, parenting is a challenge! Raising children is sanctifying. And sanctification isn't always fun. I don't know what you're experiencing in this season of life, but maybe you can relate. Maybe your once-healthy schedule is turning a little brown. Maybe your hope is starting to wilt in the heat. And maybe life is just a little too crispy! Don't give up, my friend! Keep growing where you've been planted. You never know what miracle of life is about to blossom! We still carry with us the sadness of a child unknown. We have no idea what's next for Zach's career. And our kids are currently trying to sneak candy from the abundance of yesterday's parade candy--selfish little cuties! [Brb!] And yet this season is full of hope and peace for me. Surprisingly so! While I feel the demands of everyday life and the pressures of expectations, this lone pink flower reminded me today to keep on bloomin'...because God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers! And He certainly cares for you! That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:25-34
0 Comments
|
JennieWelcome! I'm a daughter of the King, wife to Zach, and mother to four beautiful girls. This is my space to share with about our family and what's on my heart these days! Archives
April 2022
Categories |