The Flood. The Flowers. The Lesson.

The day had been long. The week had been long. No matter. Friday had come and I was headed home.

Home to rest. Home to relax. Home to refresh so as to have the strength to do it again the next week.

My mind wandered into nothingness...

I came to the top of the hill and instantly my mind jolted to reality. The audible cry that escaped my lips almost startled myself in the silence of the car.

It was gone. Completely under water. The town I had just driven through hours before was now buried. Only roofs were seen. On them I noticed people. A helicopter was hovering in the air. The town was buried in the flooding and the road I was to take to reach my home... gone.

There are a few things I distinctly and vividly remember about the flooding that occurred the summer that I was home from college.

Cresting the top of the hill only to look down and see nothing of the town that had been there just that morning is one of them. It took me an additional two hours to arrive home that night due to having to find roads passable.

I also distinctly remember what I call... the flood flowers.

As we were driving to church one morning, I was looking out of the window. This had become a very common practice as we compared the water level to where it had been as it slowly receded.

On our drive I was straining to find the ditches I knew were there. I wondered if it was just a very small taste of what Noah must have felt. Straining, almost as if it required great effort, just to catch one small glimpse of earth beneath the water.

It was then that I saw them. They were some of the smallest and most beautiful flowers I had seen. Springing up, where plain ol' earthy ditches should have been, through the murky water left from the flooding... tiny flowers reaching towards heaven.

I pointed them out to the rest of my family. We were all amazed and wondered at their appearance. In what seemed so devastating, so ugly, so destructive... was rising something so innocent, so simple, so precious.

Their thin stems standing tall seemed to announce determination. Their perfectly formed petals seemed to shout hope. Their bright colors seemed to proclaim life.

We later learned that they were a flower that grows after and in the midst of large flooding. I wish I could recall what they were called. I can't. But I do remember the lesson they taught me.

 I have experienced moments of life that can feel destructive, discouraging, devastating, and overwhelming. That all beauty has become ugly and repulsive, perhaps even nauseating. I have felt as though all hope is lost. There is nothing to salvage, nothing to rebuild, nothing but ruins.

However, if I look.  If I wait.  If I am willing to see them... they appear. They are there. As I strain to catch just one glimpse, in time, I am not disappointed. My heart flood flowers appear.

God does a planting in the middle of the chaos. Strength is bolstered. Beauty is remembered. Hope is renewed. There is promise of sunshine after the rain. Life springs forth from apparent death. And He provides the reminder in the midst... just for me.

I find that now I am not so amazed and astonished when I see them in my heart, just more assured and comforted. A knowing smile crosses my face and a peace settles deep in my spirit as I look out the window of my soul, gazing upon my heart flood flowers.

For you see, I've learned... that's just the way my God is.

(Note: the flowers pictured here are not the actual flood flowers we saw.)

Precious Promise #3: Isaiah 40: 28-31

(New Living Translation)   

"Have you never heard?  Have you never understood?  The LORD is the everlasting God,  the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.  No one can measure the depths of his understanding.  He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint."

(Message) 

"Why would you ever complain, or whine saying, 'God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me?'  Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?  God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind." 

Be encouraged! Regardless of what you are facing, God remains in complete control. He is not unaware.

Situations that exhaust you, do not phase God.

In fact, if we continue to press hard into Him in the middle of our circumstances, He will provide strength and energy in those very moments. Not just strength to survive or to get by.... but fresh strength.

Strength to soar above our situation.  Strength to run to the very end.

What promise have you been reminded of this week?


More about "Precious Promises"

Passing It On

I just wanted to pass on a few things...

*  A link you might be interested in:  "8 Steps to Meeting God in Silence and Solitude."

*  A blog you might be interested in:  The Works of God:  "Reflections on the sovereignty of God over disability, disease, and suffering, for God's glory and for our good."

And last but certainly not least...

*  An event you might be interested in:  Ladies Brunch and Mini Retreat - Feb. 4 (all of this for only $20!)  If it weren't a plane ride away I would be there in a heartbeat!  I have heard Leslie speak.  You won't be disappointed!  But hurry, space is limited and seats are filling up...  (I would love to hear if you are able to go!!)

What have you found worth passing on?

Precious Promise #2: Deuteronomy 31:8

Deuteronomy 31:8

(KJV) "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

(NLT) "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." 

Be encouraged! Whatever it is you are facing... you are not alone. You do not need to fear, be discouraged, or be dismayed. God, himself, walks not only with you... but ahead of you, preparing the way. He will not fail, forsake, or abandon. He will be with you!

What promise have you been reminded of this week?


More about "Precious Promises"

The Reading of My Tombstone

Have you thought much about your tombstone lately? When I think of mine it encourages, inspires, challenges and pushes me forward.

When I’ve attempted to create a life goal, mission statement or other form of purpose statement for my life, I seem to have trouble formulating it into a few simple words. I get much too wordy to include all that I want to pursue. I become discouraged as I can’t seem to accomplish it all and still do it well.

Many years ago I began wondering what I would want to be said about me at the end of my life? What legacy would I want to leave behind? What would I want to be known for? What one thing would I want my tombstone to say?

Over the years my tombstone saying has never changed. I have re-evaluated it. I have contemplated changing it. Yet, somehow, it has dug a furrow deep into my heart.

As I have grown and worked on bringing my tombstone saying to life, I am amazed at the irony of it all.

You see, I have come to realization that I am, at my very core, a rather selfish person. It requires a conscious effort on my part to think beyond myself. I find taking on the selfish me and laying down my own expectations and desires is a daily task and challenge.

I use this realization to force me into making my tombstone dream a reality. I use the challenge and thorn of it to drive me forward in taking on my selfish self and coming forth victorious as I overcome selfishness in different situations.

I long to not only learn to animate my tombstone saying for myself, but to also instill it in my children. I long for them to not only have the ability to proclaim about me the reading on my tombstone, but for them to then also be able to say, “And she taught us to do the same.”

I am frequently reading my tombstone in an effort to make the call on my heart a reality in my life. I’ll let you read my tombstone as well.

“Born to Serve.  Died Serving.”

Serving God.  Serving Others.  Serving in action.  Serving in motive.  Serving in prayer.  Serving...

Have you thought much about your tombstone lately?  What would you like it to say about you?

I challenge you to not write something easily attainable for you. Write something that will be more than just a simple accomplishment in the end.

Write something that will, in and of itself, dictate and explain a pursuit that entirely consumed a part of what your life represented as you changed (with God's help) to become a better person to make it a reality.

What does your tombstone life mission read?   What are you doing to accomplish it? 

Precious Promise #1: I Corinthians 2:9

I Corinthians 2:9

(NIV) "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 

(MSG) "No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him."

Be encouraged! Regardless of what you are facing, God has arranged a plan beyond your wildest imaginations!

What promise have you been reminded of this week?


More about "Precious Promises"

Why Eat?

Do you remember what you had for lunch two weeks ago Tuesday? 

Even if you don't remember, do you think that it still had some amount of nutrition?  Do you believe that at some level it sustained you?  Would you admit that it provided energy, strength, and nutrients to get you to the next task on your list for the day?

What if you hadn't eaten that meal?  That day?  Or even for 3 days?  Would you notice?

Just because you don't remember what you had for lunch two weeks ago Tuesday, has that caused you to consider stopping eating all together?  I mean, really, if  a meal can't be remembered... then what's the use, right?  Maybe it's all just a waste of time... this eating gig.

Of course that sounds absurd!

Guess what else is absurd...

I used to excuse the importance of my personal time in God's Word away with that same type of thinking.

"I can't always remember what I read.  I wonder if it's just a waste of my time.  Yeah, I know I should read, but really... who has time for something that can't be remembered later?"

You know what I have found?

Much as the physical nutrition for the moment brings health to my physical body, so the spiritual sustenance and strength I need for the day comes from the Words I read that morning.

Even when I can't always remember the details of each moment at a later date, I am confident that the time spent there meditating and focusing on His Words to me have sustained me more than I know.  More than I would probably even believe were I to know the full impact.

So, although I can't always remember exactly what I had to eat a few weeks ago, I am confident that I did eat.  And that food sustained exactly what I needed for that day.

Hungry anyone?...

A Shared Job Title

We come from many walks of life with many different responsibilities, jobs, and titles.  However, there is one job title that I believe we are all to share. 

 Regardless of how our days play out with the things in our schedules, we should all share this title with the same job description attached.
  

Ambassador: An authorized messenger or representative.

An ambassador has one goal... to represent the king. To represent his agenda, reputation, thinking, will... and even the king's heart.

"If believing the way they does, makes them the way they is, it bears checking into sometime."   -Love's Long Journey

I want to live my life in such a way that it draws people into checking out what it is that I believe! I want to represent Christ clearly... leaving no doubts!

II Corinthians 5:20a (NIV) "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors."

Putting on my ambassador "uniform" today.  How about you?...

Precious Promises

Life is hard!

I'm sure I haven't just told you something that you didn't already know. I can't imagine that those three words came as a shock to you or jolted you from your reality.

It seems many have been going through hard things lately. It is part of this thing we call life. It is not unexpected. Often the specifics of what may come our way is unexpected... but the reality that life is hard generally is not.

However, we can not stop there!

Life may be hard, but God has not left us in this place. These three words do not need to stir up discouragement, disappointment, depression or loss of hope. Life may be hard... but there is even greater truth we can cling to.

We have been given some very powerful and personal promises. He does not intend for us to trudge through life with a grim look on our face and a sad tone in our spirit. Regardless of what comes our direction, we do not have to be defeated.

Rather, His joy, peace, gladness and even victory is to accompany us on our journey. A sincere smile can grace our face and a light skip can be in our step. He has given us so many promises in His Word.

"God never forgets His promises. In turn, He intends for His children never to forget His faithfulness to fulfill them." -- Beth Moore

Sometimes, in the darkest of valley's, I find it a bit more difficult to remember those promises He has given. I struggle to remember that He will be faithful to fulfill them.

I want to remind myself of these promises. I need to remind myself of these promises. It seems when I am keeping them in the front of my thinking, the "life is hard" moments are easier to bear. I find the challenge is to be proactive and keep them in focus, ready, and prepared.

In an effort to intentionally do that... beginning next weekend I will be sharing a promise from Him to be reminded of.  To consider.  To ponder.  To soak into my very being.

I used to do this.  I have decided to return to the practice of it.  My hope is that it will not only remind me of that promise, but that it will do the same for you.

It will be a promise that I pray brings hope to a new week.  A reminder of what He has already guaranteed. A promise that we can cling to when all else seems to be crumbling around us.

A promise to remind of His faithfulness.  A promise that He has not forgotten.

Join me as we are reminded, encouraged, and spurred on to hope... 
 

Preparing for Rain

There was a drought. There were two farmers. Both were praying for rain.  After praying, one of the farmer's went out and began to plow his field. Now which farmer trusted and believed God for the rain? --from "Facing the Giants"

There are some things that we, as a family, have been praying about. We have trusted that God hears, but do our actions show it? Have we been "plowing our field" so we are ready when the answers come?

Are we preparing and ready for the answers? Do we pray in anticipation and expectation of the answer?

Psalm 5:3 (NIV) - "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Even this week, we have made a major life decision based on what we believe God is stirring in our hearts and preparing us for.

We don't have all of the answers, but we are moving forward in faith that He will provide them as we need them... one day at a time.

We are aware that the answer may not come in the form or way that we expect it to. But we do believe that He will answer.

Will we have prepared our hearts for His answer... in His time and in His way?


What is it that you are praying for? Are you praying in anticipation and expectation of the answer? Are you putting action behind your faith? Are you "plowing your field" so you are ready when the answer comes?

"Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His word." --Streams in the Desert

Are you..."Preparing for Rain"?

Ushering in 2012

I'm sure I can't even begin to formulate into words what I am sensing today.  In the midst of stomach flu in our family, even still my heart is rejoicing.

Maybe it was because today was the first day of a new year?  Maybe it was because I feel like I am finally getting to the other side of some difficult days?  Perhaps it was because of the words Linds shared regarding her word for the year and what it stirred in me?  Or perhaps it was being reminded by Linda of this promise?

Or maybe it was just the simple graciousness of God?

Whatever it was... I welcome it!

I was on the verge of tears in church.  Not because I was overwhelmed with heavy things as has been the experience more often in recent days, but instead overwhelmed with...

Excitement. 

Anticipation.

Awareness of God and His goodness.

I realize that things have been quite heavy in thought around here for some time.  I couldn't seem to find any other corner of my heart from which to write.

But now, today, it's as if there is a light bursting forth from some very deep places.

*step. skip*  *step. skip*  *step. skip*

There's a skip to my step.

I am beyond excited to see what 2012 holds.  I am ready to receive the gift of it..

The good.  The bad.  The ordinary.

I am becoming more and more consciously aware that each breath, regardless of the details that specific moment holds... is a gift. 

Here's to lighter and brighter days ahead... because of the freedom, excitement, joy, goodness and graciousness that He alone gives.