The Call to Bloom

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Wendy

A small azalea blooming in a place where it shouldn’t have been, reminded me to do the same.

I was taking a break from work a couple of weeks ago and looking out the window. Autumn leaves had just begun falling in my yard and some had landed on the azaleas. My azaleas came with our house and they are huge. They bloom a bright pink in the spring and herald in Easter, but the rest of the year, they remain green. They don’t turn brilliant colors in the fall. They aren’t barren in the winter. They are green and when the rest of the world is dark and sleeping, green is a nice contrast.

As I was looking at my steady green azaleas and thinking about being able to depend on their greenery, a tiny pink blossom caught my eye. It’s October and the entire world around those azaleas is about to turn orange, yellow and gold and yet, that little blossom boldly stood up in pink, seemingly unaware and clearly unconcerned, about the current season.

I smiled and went outside to take a picture and found it hard to capture, yet it was there. I thought about that tiny brave blossom for the rest of the day.

Most of us can definitely say we find ourselves in a season where we have never before been. From the Covid pandemic, to the social unrest, to the constant negativity in our political climate. Goodness and decency seems under assault and I often find myself wondering what has happened to our manners? What would our grandparents say if they were to watch a current newscast?

As Christians, what is our role in the current mess we find ourselves in?

Maybe we should take a lesson from that tiny, out of place, out of season, azalea blossom and bloom, even if we don’t fit in with anything around us.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Maybe that means taking a walk and admiring God’s handiwork in nature. Maybe that means snuggling a puppy or having a conversation with a young child. Maybe that means reading the Bible or an uplifting story. Maybe that means calling your mama. Maybe that means sharing something beautiful on social media or maybe that means unplugging altogether.

After consciously filling our souls with the good stuff, we are then able and called to to bloom in our own unique way and share that good stuff with those around us. We can do that in person, through the mail, over text or in cyberspace. Our call to love God and love others doesn’t change with the turbulence of the seasons. We just have to make sure that we remain equipped to bloom.

A wayward azalea reminded me that as people of faith, our call to bloom is not dependent on the state of affairs of our world. We are after all, in this world, not of it. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Biblical Wisdom, Building Christian Character, Watching for God | 4 Comments

Removing the Weeds and Briars

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Wendy

In times like these, we have to be especially vigilant about what we allow into our hearts.

I was recently working in my iris beds. They had been overtaken by weeds. It’s been a hot summer and I have needed to work on them for quite some time, but the heat and my busy schedule have given me every excuse to let them go. Plus, I rationalized that they won’t bloom again until the spring, so there’s plenty of time.

But, the weather finally cooled off and fall is the time to divide them, a task I could never do if they were covered in weeds. I put on some good shoes and gloves and went to work. Unfortunately, they were everywhere in every single bed I had, but as I got busy, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they were to pull up. Their roots were so shallow. I removed them by the handful and the beds showed improvement very quickly.

I marveled at the difference and I was little annoyed with myself for letting the weeds get so out of control to begin with when it required such a small effort on my part, to remove them. I congratulated myself on my progress, when I encountered a briar. Briars are an entirely different kind of weed. They aren’t just ugly and annoying. They climb and wind themselves around the things we plant. When you try to pull them, they have tiny thorns that will tear your skin. Furthermore, when you pull hard, they break off, leaving the root in tact, just biding its time to return.

As I looked at my cleaned up beds, I was reminded of how easy it is to let things enter into our hearts that cause clutter like those weeds, things like doubt, fear, despair and hoplessness can rob us of our joy and the beauty our lives can hold. We need to be vigilant about keeping our eyes focused on Jesus so He can remind us to be at peace and trust in Him and His plan. We can do this through prayer and and reading the Bible where we find countless stories to remind us. When we walk with Jesus, He can help us sweep those things away on a regular basis.

But, there are other things that we can allow to take root like anger and hate that are like briars. They have the power to wrap around our hearts and cause serious damage. Ephesians 4:26-17 says, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

There seems to be a lot of anger these days. Just watch a newscast or scroll your social media feed. The venom spewing from peoples’ mouths shows the poor condition of their hearts. Many have allowed anger to get a foothold and hate and chaos have resulted.

As God’s people, we are called to first love God and then one another. If we harbor hate, can we love one another? Can we truly love God with a heart that harbors hate?

As a very important election draws near, perhaps now more than ever before, people of faith are called to stop scrolling and start asking God to root out the hate in our own hearts as well as the hate in our neighbor’s. Maybe then, we can with pure hearts, pray for healing, peace and reconciliation and He will hear our cry and heal our land.

Some overgrown iris beds reminded me to be vigilant with what we allow into our hearts. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Biblical Wisdom, Choosing to See the Bright Side | 3 Comments

Finding the Beauty in the Mess

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Wendy

Relationships can be messy like the trees, but so worth it.

Last weekend, I did some much needed yard work. I had lots of sticks and small limbs to get out of my backyard and I finally had a spare Saturday to devote to it. We are surrounded by old hardwoods, so whenever we get a fair amount of wind, we have sticks, acorns and leaves everywhere. They litter the deck and the yard and leave a bit of a mess.

In the almost fifteen years we have lived here, I have come to love these majestic trees. They provide much needed shade from the oppressive Georgia heat in the summer and spectacular art in the fall. In the spring, they provide a picture of hope as they burst back to life, that just happens to coincide with Easter. They provide homes and food to countless critters and I have spent hours and hours throughout my time living here, watching and listening to the birds and squirrels. From time to time, I’ve even been blessed to catch a glimpse of a hawk or an owl landing on one of the limbs.

These trees have definitely provided me with a lot of joy over the years, but they are messy.

Every rain storm results in a mess and those beautiful leaves in the fall, eventually result in hours of raking and hauling and often a blister or two for me. The deck and driveway have to be cleared regularly because leaves are surprisingly slick when they get wet. And in case you have ever wondered, acorns are like tiny bombs when they fall out of the trees and they hurt when they land on your head.

I was contemplating the messy trees as I was throwing sticks over the fence and I thought about how are human relationships are a lot my big old trees. Good ones provide us shade and refuge, from a world that too often is loud and harsh. There’s nothing like leaning into a good friend when we need to talk or just simple understanding. The best ones provide us art too and add lots of color in our lives through laughter and good times spent together. Friendships can provide hope like the leaves in spring when we are living through a barren season. They can provide homes for our dreams to grow and live as they cheer us on and encourage us.

Why wouldn’t we seek out friendships?

Because like those trees, they can be messy too. We sometimes have misunderstandings. We sometimes say things we don’t mean. Humans tend to be selfish and we sometimes put ourselves before the ones we hold dear which can result in hurt feelings. Anyone who has traveled around the sun enough times has experienced some type of hurt from a relationship.

There are even those who decide that relationships really just aren’t worth the cost. They have been hurt one too many times and are done with the mess.

The current pandemic the world is still facing may serve to strengthen their resolve. Maybe staying apart is best.

But, as I toss yet another limb over the fence and look at the still green leaves that are gracing the trees, I know that a spectacular show is on the way and I know that the beauty is worth the mess and the same is true with the people in our lives.

While 2020 has robbed us of much, may we be encouraged to fight for the relationships we hold dear, mess and all, remembering that friendship is a gift from God. Some fallen limbs reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Friendship | 1 Comment

Lessons from the Seasons

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Wendy

If we didn’t know the truth about seasons, the trees in winter, might lead us to despair.

Late last spring, my daughter and I, went to a local nursery to get some brightly colored annuals for the deck. Since Covid-19 had our entire family home for the majority of the time, I really wanted some brightly colored flowers to brighten our space. I wasn’t able to find exactly what I was looking for, but my daughter found a brightly colored purplish petunia hybrid and we decided to give it a try.

Her choice did not disappoint. Those flowers rapidly grew and spilled out of the boxes that I planted them in. I delighted in looking at them all summer long as I drank my morning coffee or did the dishes. I commented to her more than once, that I was so glad that we went with her suggestion.

But, now as October rolled in, what had been gorgeous in its season, looked scraggly. There were some blooms that were stubbornly hanging on, but what been beautiful in May, seemed out of place in October. I went on a hunt for some pansies to brighten those planters.

As I reluctantly pulled up those petunias, I was reminded how some things are only bloom for a season. Even the vibrant color that had brought me so much pleasure, seemed somehow out of place in the early fall.

Nothing ever stays the same on this side of eternity and when God set up creation, He set it up for constant change. From seeds, to blooms, to fruits, to harvest, creation stays in constant motion. What we plant either grows or dies, but it never remains the same.

Our walk with God has seasons as well. Sometimes we feel completely in sync with Him; blessings are raining down and we are blooming and producing fruit. These are the spring and summer seasons. But, other seasons can be hard. We can feel like the trees in winter, like we have lost all of our leaves and our souls are completely bare like those branches.

For many of us, this pandemic has been one of those seasons. If we focus on what has been lost, it’s easy to despair. If you looked at the trees in winter and didn’t know any better, you would think they were dead. You would think all was lost. But, we know that winter is not the end for the trees. We know that unseen work is being done in preparation for the spring.

Those of us who are Christ followers know that this pandemic season of despair and loss isn’t the final word for us either. We know that God has the final word, that He is at work and that He has a plan. For those of us who know that truth, now is the time to share it, maybe now more than any other time in our lives, because we were all made, knit together in our mother’s womb for such a time as this.

Some petunias and pansies reminded me that there is a season for everything. The Bible tells us so. If the season that you find yourself in is particularly hard, take heart; change is coming. You can count on it. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Biblical Wisdom, Building Christian Character, Trusting God | 4 Comments

Seeking the Light

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Wendy

As Christians, we always have access to light on our path.

On a recent visit to my parents’ house, we decided to take a walk. There’s nothing like heading out into the woods to clear my mind and see God’s fingerprints. I debated about whether I should bring my phone or not. Lately, I have become very intentional about putting it down. The cyberworld is loud these days and the loudest voices tend to be the angriest ones full of the most venom. I have learned that my soul needs regular breaks from the noise and chaos.

But, I felt a gentle nudge to take it. I sensed that God wanted to show me something and I was well aware that He has the ability to use any form of technology for His glory. I have learned that when I follow God’s nudges, I am never disappointed. I was rewarded with a beautiful blue butterfly that held still and posed for a picture as well as tiny wayward flowers that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. Each little gift of Creation filled my soul a little more.

I definitely felt lighter after the walk, but it wasn’t until later that evening that I discovered what God wanted to show me. I was on the porch scrolling through my photos, when I came across one I had taken of a path dappled with sunlight. It looked so inviting that I showed it to my mom. She commented that she had taken a photo there on a previous walk of her own, but that mine was much nicer because of the lighting.

She found hers and we compared. Sure enough, her picture showed a dark path. It was the same exact path, but it wouldn’t be one I would be drawn to take. We laughed and talked about how all professional photographers will happily tell you about the importance of lighting.

I thought about our conversation days later, as I was scrolling through those same pictures and landed on that photo finding myself once again mesmerized by the light. The Bible is full of references of God and light. One of my favorites is, “This is the message we heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

We walk on many paths during our journey here on earth. Some are well lit and we can skip and run down them or just stroll and happily enjoy the scenery. Others are quite dark and we dread every step, wondering if we will ever reach the end. For many of us, 2020 has been one of those paths. Yet, as Christians, we are called to remember the light of Jesus is always available to us even on the darkest paths.

Hope is alive. God has a plan and we know that in ALL things God works for the good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose, because the Bible tells us so.

So, take each small step in faith and look for the light. It’s there. A picture reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character, Trusting God, Watching for God | 1 Comment

Lessons from the Trail

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Wendy

If we want to experience all that God has for us, we have to keep moving towards Him.

A couple of weekends ago, my kiddos were both home from college and we decided to go on a hike in the North Georgia Mountains. Hiking is something we have always enjoyed as a family, even when the kids were little. There’s just something about getting outside and exploring, completely surrounded by nature, that has always fed our souls.

We have an interesting history with this particular trail. The first time we attempted it, we weren’t prepared. We stumbled upon it when we were driving around and just parked the car and hit the trail. It was late when we started and we didn’t bring water, but the trail was shaded and it wasn’t that hot. We had a late breakfast, so we hadn’t eaten lunch. The trail follows a stream the entire way and there are waterfalls along it. It’s beautiful, but it’s a five mile hike round trip and we didn’t know where we were going. We finally gave up and turned back.

When we got home and Googled it, we missed a pretty waterfall at the top and we were very close, when we gave up. But, how could we have known? There was no cell service there and we had never been before.

The next time we went, we were prepared. We brought water and snacks and we got an earlier start. We were a little discouraged because there were tons of cars when we arrived, but when we got on the trail, it wasn’t crowded. We saw people, but there was plenty of space. I am always amazed at how friendly people tend to be out on a hiking trail. Most people smile and speak. Folks seem visibly relaxed as if Creation somehow brings out the better part of all of us.

This time, we made it to the top, but it was Fall of 2016 and a large part of the mountains were on fire. We had no idea that there was a fire just over the ridge and a lot of the people there were hoping to see it. We got down off of that mountain trail in record time.

Fast forward to 2020. We decided to give that trail another go. My children were now a sophomore and senior in college instead of high school like the time before. The entire world had been in some level of quarantine or lock down from Covid-19 since March, not to mention, reeling from months of social unrest and it was now Labor Day and we wanted to get out, to escape the news and the noise. This time, we brought provisions and my daughter’s precious pup.

When we arrived, there were cars everywhere. They were parked all up and down the road so close together that we wondered if our truck could even get by. It seemed a lot of other people needed to escape as well. We almost left, wondering how it would be possible to safely hike with all of those people, but we didn’t. We found a spot and hit the trail.

We were pleasantly surprised. While we did encounter people along the trail, there was plenty of space and masks. We saw old and young. We saw people of every color and as I have come to expect while out on a nature trail, there were friendly smiles and greetings. There was no tension or politics. No one seemed to mind if they had to wait for others to snap a photo. No one seemed to be in a big rush. There were simply people trying to enjoy some beauty and quiet and to soak up Creation.

This time, we made it to the top and sat and rested for a bit, taking it all in, so glad that we had come. Thankfully, there was no fire, just lots of fellow travelers who like us, seemed genuinely pleased to be there.

I have learned a lot from that mountain trail. I have learned that on our journey here, it’s okay to rest when we get tired, but if we want to experience all that God has for us, we have to get back up and we can’t turn back. I have learned that we need to plan for some provision both physically and spiritually. I have learned that the path rarely stays exactly the same, but God does. Perhaps most importantly, I have learned that in God’s economy, there’s always room for one more. His space is unlimited.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too. Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character, Trusting God, Watching for God | 2 Comments

Spider Lessons

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Wendy

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22

A few days ago, I was heading out to my backyard when I encountered a big garden spider on a huge web. I’m in my backyard almost everyday and it seemed like she appeared overnight on her web and all in all of her glory. If I’m completely honest, I will admit I have never been a fan of spiders, however, as I’ve grown older, I have come to admire their craftsmanship.

Have you ever really examined or stopped to appreciate, (from a respectable difference of course!), the intricacies of a spider’s web? They are so precisely made, like natural works of art. Besides their artistry, those webs are very effective as well, as anyone who has had the misfortune of unknowingly walking into one can tell you.

So, I paused for a moment to admire nature’s art, and I was reminded what seeing a spider in that spot likely meant. It’s late August in Georgia, as I write this, and we are easily hitting ninety degrees on most days, yet spiders on large webs, begin to appear every year as summer nears its end and fall draws closer. I chuckled to myself and wondered if this particular spider was mistaken. Fall feels very far away at the moment, despite what retailers would like for us to believe. It’s hard to think about pumpkins spice when it’s ninety outside.

But, a couple of days later, when I was out on a walk, I saw another spider on a large web, high up in the trees and I knew that the first spider wasn’t out of sync somehow. Why would she be?

As humans, 2020 along with the corresponding virus, social unrest, masks and divisive politics that will forever be linked with it, has created havoc for us. The human world is in chaos and nothing seems normal and sometimes we wonder if it ever will be again. We don’t trust the news, or our leaders or even our health officials, who seem to change their minds on a daily basis. It’s enough to make us want to throw up our hands and just give up. What’s the point of trying to make a difference in this crazy world?

Yet, God shows us another way. God is a God of order, not a God of chaos and when we want to find Him and some order, which is part of His plan, we can always look to His creation. Nature is completely unaffected my the chaos currently plaguing humanity. Spiders are building their webs. Fall is coming. God is still in charge despite what humanity might think.

As I thought about the spiders on my way home, I felt some peace settle into my heart as I always do when I truly seek God. A dear friend of mine recently reminded me that when we intentionally seek more of God and less of man, peace will always be close by. She was right. Some spider webs reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character, Trusting God, Watching for God | 3 Comments

Pear Tree Lessons

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Wendy

What we sow today can last for generations.

On a recent visit to my parents’ house, I was delighted to learn that the pears were ready. If a stranger were to look at their pear tree, they would likely conclude it’s the ugliest tree they have ever seen and to the casual observer it probably is. My daddy has had to stake and tie the branches up because they are too week to hold the fruit.

The tree itself is covered in lichen and it truly looks like a good puff of wind would blow it right over, but that tree represents a beautiful picture of faith.

My grandmother planted that tree well over 50 years ago. She had an amazing green thumb and when she and my granddaddy built the house they planned to retire in, she lovingly planned and planted trees and bushes all over their property. She even had a pond built because she loved to fish. But, my grandmother never got to live in the house, she went home to be with Jesus before they ever moved in, one month before I was born.

I never got to meet her. Yet, I see her all over the property. There are azaleas, camelias and a wide variety of bulbs and other things she planted that still bloom. Her great grandchildren fish in that beautiful pond and my brother, her grandson, delights in fishing as much as she ever did.

And then there’s the pear tree. The spindly pear tree that she planted with her own hands, all those years ago, looks like it’s barely hanging on. It would fool the casual observer, because as frail as that tree looks, it produces so many pears, that it can hardly remain standing. The fruit is misshapened. You would probably never pick it up if you saw it in a store, but you would be missing out. Those odd looking pears are the most delicious pears I have ever eaten, sweet and amazingly juicy.

Every year when I learn that the pears are ready, I am reminded that we all will leave some type of legacy from our time spent here on earth. We all plant whether we intend to or not. Sometimes it’s physical planting like that pear tree and sometimes it’s a spiritual planting. We all sow seeds. We decide what kind they are. We can sow seeds of hope, love, faith, peace, patience and kindness or we can sow seeds of anger, hate and fear.

And just like that pear tree, what we sow, can live for generations after we are gone. The pear tree also reminds me that we sometimes never see what we sow on this side of eternity, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep sowing. Sometimes the fruit produced from our seeds might not look pretty on the outside, but the sweetness on the inside has always been what really matters.

A pear tree reminded me to be mindful and intentional about what we sow and to never stop sowing. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character | 4 Comments

There’s a Plan

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Wendy

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

A couple of weeks ago, I took a walk in my neighborhood and I ran into a a friend who I hadn’t seen in quite some time. We worshiped at the same church for many years, attended the same Sunday school class, even attended a ladies group where we prayed for each other at one point. It was good to see her and we took a few minutes to catch up on each other’s lives.

She shared like everyone else, that she was concerned about Covid-19, concerned about the safety of her family and the safety of her grandkids who are back in school and concerned about her own safety. We talked about what a mess our world is at the moment. I reminded her like those of us who share faith are called to, that God has a plan, that even thought we can see nothing but chaos, He has a plan and He loves us and in the end, it’s all going to be okay. She knew it, but she seemed pleased to have the reminder.

I relayed the story to my hubby later and we talked about how we are always amazed at how God puts people in our paths at a certain time for a reason. I thought about our encounter for the rest of the day.

Later that evening, my son called to tell me what was going on with his class schedule. He transferred colleges this year and almost all of his classes at his new school have gone online. It’s difficult to meet new people when most of your classes are online. He said his roommate told him that he picked the worst year ever to transfer. I told him I was sorry, but who could have planned for a worldwide pandemic?

Then he said, “there’s a plan.” I fought back tears as I agreed with him. My hubby and I have shared our faith with him since he was a baby. It was so comforting to hear him acknowledge his faith when he’s going through such a difficult time. I wouldn’t have been surprised to hear him questioning his faith, but he was amazingly matter-of-fact and I held his words close to my heart.

When I was driving home from work with a migraine the next day day, from working in an office with too much light and reflection due to plexiglass, installed for safety, I was in tears. Out of the blue, my son’s words popped back into my head followed by the conversation with my neighbor.

God used both of those conversations to remind me and bring me comfort. God has a plan. It may not look like it. I’m sure it didn’t look like it to the Israelites who roamed in the desert. I’m sure it didn’t look like it to Jonah when he was in the belly of the fish or to Daniel when he was in the lion’s den. The Bible is full of stories teaching us about God’s sovereighnty in the darkest of times.

Those of us of faith can rest assured, God has a plan and He loves us. A conversation with my neighbor, a phone call with my son and a migraine reminded me. Sometimes I need reminding, perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Categories: Biblical Wisdom, Building Christian Character, Trusting God | 4 Comments

Internet Outage

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Wendy

Due to an internet outage in my area last night and my inability to type an entire blog on my phone, I have no post today. Have a wonderful weekend!

Have an awesome day!😊
Wendy

Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Internet Outage