Fruit Tree Lessons

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Wendy

God can use every bit of our stories.

My Daddy grew up farming. He was one of eight children and they barely got by. I’ve often heard him tell stories of the hard work he and his siblings did, out in the hot Georgia sun, plowing the fields with a mule. They ended up moving into town when he was in high school and his farming days were behind him. He joined the Navy and went on to follow several different career paths.

I suspect if you would have asked him when he was growing up if he ever had any intention of farming again, he would have laughed. Yet, he has always loved to grow things. He grows tomatoes every summer. I’ve seen him grow everything from figs and strawberries to cabbage and blueberries and always successfully.

Recently, my hubby and I wanted to plant some fruit trees. We planted in the fall when they all looked like sticks. There was no sign of life. Daddy told us how to plant them and how important it was to put straw around them. He warned us about the deer and while we knew he was right, we thought we had more time. We were wrong. The deer ate the very first leaf off of one of our fledgling apple trees. We heeded his advice and put some wire around them to protect them. He added pie pans to make noise in the wind.

The deer have left them alone.

When he asked me if we wanted him to fertilize them, I told him I would defer to his knowledge. He went ahead and fertilized them.

Last weekend, after a cold snap, I was delighted to see that our little orchard, which several months ago, showed no sign of life, was teeming with leaves and I was so very thankful for his guidance.

He told me that we could plant our tomatoes after Good Friday. I have no doubt, they too, will flourish.

I often marvel at how God uses our life experiences to help guide others along the way.

Daddy didn’t know it at the time, but he was learning valuable lessons in that Georgia heat of his youth, lessons that he now can pass on to his children and grandchildren.

In God’s economy, nothing is wasted.

So, take heart my friend. Whatever circumstance or situation that you find yourself in today, whether good or bad, exciting or mundane, beautiful or incredibly ugly, put it in God’s hands and let Him use it. In His hands we can find restoration, redemption and a peace that passeth all understanding. Some thriving fruit trees reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 😊

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The Power of Prayer and Praise

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Wendy

Prayer and praise together are powerful.

I’m participating in an online Bible study on the books of Chronicles. They are the history of God’s relationship with His people. There are examples of both good and bad kings and lots of examples of the downright failure of humankind to stay faithful to God. King Jehoshaphat was one of the good kings and the account of one of his battles in 2 Chronicles, really stood out to me.

Some of his enemies had decided to fight him for no good reason and he went to God to beg for His intervention. He first praised God’s mightiness and faithfulness, by listing the many ways God had saved them before. Next, he openly acknowledged that they were powerless against the great armies that were coming against them. He said they don’t know what to do so they were asking God for help.

God answered the king through a prophet, “This is what the Lord says to you: Don’t be afraid or discouraged by this great army because the battle isn’t yours. It belongs to God! 16 March out against them tomorrow. Since they will be coming through the Ziz pass, meet them at the end of the valley that opens into the Jeruel wilderness. 17 You don’t need to fight this battle. Just take your places, stand ready, and watch how the Lord, who is with you, will deliver you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid or discouraged! Go out tomorrow and face them. The Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

My favorite part was what happened next. They decided to trust God.

“21 After consulting with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed musicians to play for the Lord, praising his majestic holiness. They were to march out before the warriors, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord because his faithful love lasts forever!” 22 As they broke into joyful song and praise, the Lord launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites, the Moabites, and those from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, so that they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22

Since they trusted that God would provide, they went out singing and praising Him with both their voices and instruments. They didn’t even lift a sword.

The account made me ask myself about my own prayer and trust. When I take something to God in prayer, do I drop my anxiety and trust Him? Do I truly believe that He will deliver me like He has countless times before?

Later in the week, I needed to have a hard conversation. As I was praying about it, a song came on the radio about fighting on our knees. I could totally relate. But then, “I’ve Got Joy,” by CeCe Winans came on and I found myself singing to the top of my lungs. “I’ve got joy in the struggle. I’ve got peace in the storm…I’ve got joy cause I’ve got Jesus.”

I felt at perfect peace when I had that conversation. I was not the least bit surprised when it went well.

A biblical king reminded me to never forget the power of both prayer and praise. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

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Why We Come Together to Worship

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Wendy

Worship is about celebrating God’s love for us.

My hubby and I visited a church for the first time last week. We didn’t know a soul there which was part of the reason why we chose it.  It was housed in an old warehouse with exposed brick. As we waited for the service to begin, I marveled at how the congregation elected to redeem something old and fairly dilapidated for a brand new purpose.

As we sang a worship song about coming to Jesus as you are and about no one being too far past redemption, we got to the chorus about earth having no sorrow that heaven can’t heal. A little boy around three or four went dancing up the aisle and across the front. I smiled at him thinking about how the hearts of little ones are always the ones who seem to find it easiest to worship without reserve and how the truth in that song was worth dancing about.

In modern day church, we simply don’t do that kind of thing. Although the Bible tells us that King David freely danced before God, not caring what anyone thought.

The young often have more to teach than we think.

The sermon was on Nehemiah, interestingly enough, an Old Testament book about rebuilding a wall and consecrating it to God, looking at the walls around me, these people appeared to have done the same.

The focus was on why Christians come together to worship.

It’s a legitimate question. Some of us have gone to church every Sunday since birth. I suppose each of us could list a dozen reasons why we go, some of them better than others.

The speaker gave a single reason. He said we worship together to celebrate, to celebrate who God is and what He has done for us. That alone he said, was why we come together, because whatever may be going on with us on a personal level, we have still been redeemed and saved and because of who God is, we are destined for a glorious future and that is worth celebrating.

For the people among us who are struggling, our celebration should remind them of hope and encourage them to hope for something better.

At the closing songs he had everyone in the room come together in the middle of the room as a people of God. He said he knew some of us would be uncomfortable, but to do it anyway. Everyone complied and the college student that I ended up touching shoulders with just smiled at me as we lifted our voices  together.

I left that service with a light heart and a new perspective. I was reminded that the Church is truly universal and when we come together with other people of faith to worship, the where is of no consequence, but the why is. In the end it’s really only about the Who we worship. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day! 🙂

Wendy

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Have a Great Weekend

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Wendy

I have been out of town all week visiting family with no time to write.  I hope to see you back in this space next week.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Wendy 😊

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Jesus Knows Your Name

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Wendy

We all have a part to play in kingdom work.

I recently heard a sermon where the pastor talked about the account in Matthew 26, where the woman pours very expensive perfume, Nard, on Jesus. While the disciples were appalled at what they considered a waste of precious resources, Jesus praised her.

“Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13

The pastor pointed out that she has no name in Matthew’s Gospel. We learn in other accounts that her name is Mary, but in Matthew’s account she isn’t named, yet Jesus predicted that wherever the Gospel is preached, we would be talking about her selfless act. Over, two thousand years later, we are still talking about her.

Was the Gospel writer led by the Holy Spirit to know that humanity has a tendency to make idols of just about anything and so decided to leave her unnamed? We may never know.

In the end, it doesn’t matter whether or not we know her name. All that matters is that Jesus knows her name.

That sermon got me to thinking about the countless other people in the Bible who were doing kingdom work but weren’t given a name. There’s the woman at the well who may have been the first evangelist. There’s the boy who gave up his bread and fish to Jesus, all he had, and watched it feed thousands.

Are their stories any less powerful because they aren’t named?

There are the men walking to Emmaus. One of them is named and one was not. Was the encounter any less lifechanging for the traveler not named? Was he less of a disciple of the Gospel going forward?

What about the four friends who lowered their paralytic friend through a roof to get to Jesus? Jesus told them that their faith healed their friend. They too, weren’t named, yet they too, continue to serve as a powerful example of the power of faith.

In today’s society, we can bet the name of the boy with the fish and loaves would be plastered all over Facebook by his parents.

The four friends would likely be on Instagram or Tik-Tok.

We don’t like the idea of obscurity. We want the world to know when we do something we consider important. We crave the praise of others.

Yet, we worship a God whose kingdom has always been contrary to ours. It’s an upside-down concept to for us not get credit. We tend to forget that the only credit we should seek is the heavenly kind.

All of the countless unnamed people in the Bible, remind me that we each have a part to play in kingdom building and there truly are no small parts when we are working for Jesus. Whatever our gifts and talents are, we are called to use them generously, knowing that ultimately the only praise that really matters is getting to one day hear Jesus say: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 😊

Categories: Biblical Wisdom, Building Christian Character, Trusting God | 2 Comments

Reflections on an Early Spring

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Wendy

“This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

We have been blessed with some amazingly early spring weather this past week. It’s only February and it’s been sunny and in the 70’s. As southerners, we have a tendency to talk about the weather anyway. I suppose it’s in our DNA which stems from our agrarian roots. This week it seems everyone is talking about the weather. Almost everyone I know grows something, even if it’s just flowering trees in their yards or daffodil bulbs and I know lots of people who grow more extensively.

I have a friend who was lamenting about his blueberry bushes and this early spring weather. He is concerned that a cold snap will kill all of the tender buds. I have another friend who just shakes her head and acknowledges that she’s enjoying the weather, but doesn’t think for a moment it’s a good thing.

Then I talk to college students who are absolutely delighted. They are wearing shorts and enjoying every minute. They seem to give very little thought to the fact that it may not last.

As I was taking a lunch time walk and admiring all of the buds and blooms, it occurred to me that spring time is a thin season. Creation bursts into bloom and it’s difficult not to see and feel God in the world around me.

I’ve always known about thin places.

Thin places are those places like mountaintops, the ocean, or rushing waterfalls where creation is so breathtaking that you just can’t help but feel close to the God that made it all.

I never thought about thin seasons.

Yet, springtime clearly is one. It’s a season that makes me feel that God is near, continuing to delight in creating beauty simply because He can. That thought fills my soul.

This is one of those times where I’m going to learn from the younger generation. I am completely aware that it’s early this year. I am completely aware that a cold snap would be bad. Even so, I am going to choose to bask in the warmth and enjoy every moment of this season whatever it brings.

Some warm days in February reminded me that I have no idea or control over what is coming, but I worship the One who does and that is enough. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 😊

Categories: Watching for God | 1 Comment

The Power of the Word

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Wendy

Sometimes God speaks in unexpected ways.

Last weekend, my son, who is away at college, came home for a visit. I hadn’t seen him since the Christmas break so I was happy to have him home. He will graduate in May and this mama is acutely aware that after graduation, he will likely be working and his visits may be few and far between. I intentionally soaked up every minute with him.

When he left on Sunday, I had a ton of housework that needed to be done, but I felt a deep nudge to rest. I have been burning the candle at both ends lately and so I heeded that call.

On Monday morning I woke up refreshed, but when I stood at my kitchen sink and began to think of all of the chores that had gone undone and what needed to be done, I began to doubt my decision. I sighed when I sat down to read my morning devotion as I saw a tiny cobweb in the corner.

But, then I read the first bit of scripture in my devotion. It was from Deuteronomy, Chapter 5. It was about Sabbath rest. I chuckled as I read verse 14 that stated “Do not do any work.”

I always stand amazed at the way God speaks through His word. Sometimes we read with heavy issues on our minds. Sometimes we go searching for answers. If we are honest, we sometimes read our Bibles to check off a box.

In the end, it doesn’t really matter why we read our Bibles, we just need to commit to reading them because it’s truly more about obedience than motivation.

The Holy Spirit gets ignited in both big and small ways when we read and study scripture. We sometimes  find answers and affirmation we didn’t even know we were seeking and sometimes, if we pay close attention, He will quietly whisper that a decision we made, even a seemingly trivial one, was a good one, which was exactly what I needed.

A Monday morning devotion reminded me that reading even the shortest of scripture passages can soothe a weary soul and remind us that God loves us enough to care about even the tiniest of details. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 😊

Categories: Watching for God | 1 Comment

His Creative Provision

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Wendy

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

On Tuesday of this week, I complained to my hubby about being bored. Don’t get me wrong, I have lots going on. This season has been particularly busy for me, but I was longing for a creative project. Normally, in January, I get motivated to paint a room or re-do a piece of furniture. But, this January came and went and I hadn’t done anything creative.

The following day, I left work early to go and purchase flowers for centerpieces at an event I was coordinating the following evening. I labored over how many bunches to purchase to split between fourteen mason jars. I finally settled on five and headed home. I put them in big plastic pitchers with water until after dinner when I could work with them.

When the dishes were done, I spread all of the jars out on my kitchen table, cut off the plastic from the stems and got to work. I had recently read a book about flower arranging and I was trying to follow the author’s advice. At first, I cut the stems too long and then l cut three big blooms too short and had to toss them. At that point, I became a little frustrated thinking I should have bought one more bunch, but a little nudge told me to just keep working.

I did and I found myself really enjoying the process as I experimented with different textures and colors in different jars. No two stems were exactly alike, even if they were the same type of flower. I marveled, as I often do, at God’s seemingly endless love of the unique.

The time passed quickly and when I looked at my watch, almost two hours had gone by. At last, I stood back and to take a look at my finished work as a whole. I smiled as I realized no two jars were alike. When I looked over and saw the flowers and fillers left in the two pitchers, I broke out into a full grin.

Of course, there had been enough. Why was I always so quick to second guess my decisions? As I reflected on that thought for a moment, my “need to do something creative” conversation with my hubby sprang to mind. At that point, I chuckled and said a prayer of thanks.

God is always at work. He is always planning for what we need well before we even know we need it. He knew way before I did what a busy season this would be for me and the One who knit me together in my mother’s womb, knew I would still need a creative outlet in this season. I’m not sure why I was surprised that He created one for me.

If we look for Him, we will find Him. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 😊

Categories: Trusting God | 4 Comments

Daffodil Reminders

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Wendy

The days may be dark now, but spring is coming.

I am not a fan of winter. I don’t like cold weather. I typically have no energy in January and February. All I really want to do is sleep. One year, I was so winter tired, I had my thyroid checked because I knew I must have had a physical issue. My thyroid was fine. I’m just not a winter person.

Everything in nature appears dead during the winter. Add in all of the rain we tend to get and the world becomes downright dreary. I am well aware that the rain is good in the long run. I am also aware that winter is part of the seasons that God put into place from the very beginning.

Winter has a purpose even if I don’t enjoy it.

One day this week I was driving into work, running a little late and annoyed at the gray skies above. We were expecting rain for the remainder of the week.

I had been praying that God would show Himself in a way I could reflect back to others. When I arrived,  I took a different path than I normally take when I came upon a patch of daffodils. They looked so bright and cheerful against the gloom. They pointed almost defiantly to better days ahead and even though I was running late, I stopped to take a picture.

I’ll have to admit my spirit felt a little lighter as I said a prayer of thanks for the God wink.

At lunch, for the first time in days, the sun was out and it was warm and so I took a walk through campus. I was delighted to see a tree full of pink blooms standing out against all the other bare trees. As I continued on my way, I caught small glimpses here and there of the coming spring.

In some cases I had to seek them out, but each time I saw one, I felt encouraged. This dark season would not last forever.

The rain is supposed to move back in tonight and last for another couple of days. This weekend’s forecast calls for more cold weather. Winter is not done with us yet, but it won’t last forever.

In life, our winter seasons never last forever either. Even during our darkest times, there are always glimpses of hope if we dare to look hard enough for them. If we seek, we shall find.

God is always with us even when it appears that He is not. Spring will always come. A patch of daffodils reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 😊

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Trusting God with Prayer

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Wendy

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

 

As someone who enjoys writing, I try to keep a notebook close by most of the time. I never know when a phrase or conversation might inspire me and I know if I don’t jot inspirations down immediately, I will likely lose them.

I have often read about people keeping prayer journals, but I have never really done that. I try to talk to God all day long about even trivial things and it would simply be too time consuming to write it all down.

But, for some reason, I was led to write down a prayer on New Years’ Day 2020. It was a prayer of hopes and dreams for the future. Both of my kiddos were in college and I felt I was at a bit of a crossroads regarding my next chapter.

Keep in mind that we had never even heard of Covid 19 before March of 2020.

I was flipping through one of my old notebooks and I found that prayer. I was a little stunned as I read through it.

God has been amazingly faithful and answered those prayers in so many unexpected and beautiful ways. When I look at that written prayer on the other side of Covid, I find it particularly timely. I recently listened to a sermon about how God holds time. He is never surprised by what is coming. That’s why Biblical prophecy is always correct.

When I was led in 2020 to write down a prayer, the Holy Spirit was at work. I had no way of knowing then that seeds were being planted in my heart, but God knew. God knew about the chaotic chapter that was about to come for all of humanity and He got busy on changing my focus way before I even knew it needed to be changed.

Finding that prayer reminded me that God is always listening and always working. He is also always planting. We get to choose whether or not we are receptive to the seeds. Do we provide fertile hearts and souls? Are we open to His plans? Are we brave enough to trust that they are better than our own?

Finding that prayer was like finding an old black and white photo. It lets me compare where I was to where I am and it fills my heart with both hope and joy. Writing prayers down allows us to look back and see how very faithful God is in our lives. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an Awesome Day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character, Trusting God | 1 Comment