Bloom Where You’re Planted

Isaiah 43:18-19 But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland (NLT).

Wilderness and wasteland? New Mexico has its share. My husband, youngest daughter, and I moved to the desert ten years ago from Nashville, Tennessee. Left the green for brown. But New Mexico has great beauty. Mountains, red rocks, plenty of sunshine, blue skies, low humidity, and awesome sunrises and sunsets. The southwest has grown on me.

Although I miss our two adult children and three grandchildren, I enjoy reaching out to others. The Lord has given me opportunities to mentor a few younger people. To encourage, befriend, support, and pray for them during tough times. I guess I’m a professional mom at heart. God gave me family to love and care for while away from my own. He’s led me to walk alongside a few of His children where I work. My desire—to show them the love and acceptance of God.

Soon I plan to retire. I hope to stay in touch with several coworkers including friends and women who meet with me every week during our lunch hour for a Bible study. We enjoy sharing and studying God’s Word. A mid-week time of refreshing.  

I, too, have a mentor. She’s a friend who’s encouraged me to write. Something I’d thought about, even dreamed of doing one day, but her persistent nudge moved me forward. Besides my blogs, I’ve completed my first novel and started on more. I write and wait for God to move in His will, way, and time. During the wait, I believe God’s equipped me to bloom where He’s planted me. Here in the desert. One person or blog at a time.

Where has God planted you? Perhaps you’re a tree in a forest reaching hundreds or thousands. Or maybe you’re like me—a bloom in the desert. Wherever God has you, He wants to use you to take someone by the hand and show them the way to the cross and a deeper relationship with Him.

Find Peace in His Presence

Our dog will soon be three. During the last year, she became afraid of our stairs. She won’t go up or down without help. We carry her up and give her a nudge to go down. We don’t understand what caused her to refuse the steps. She must have slipped. I’m thankful she only weighs 20 pounds. Any heavier, she’d remain downstairs.

I suggested to my husband we adopt a kitten. With a cat to follow up the stairs, we might see a change in our Pebbles. She may let go of her fear for a game of chase.

I’m a cat lover. Our cat, Koko, died eight months ago, and I miss her. I wouldn’t let the dog harm the kitten. Although I may allow Pebbles to chase the kitten to get over her fear of the stairs, I’d be right there to protect my kitty.

A few blogs ago, in Childhood Memories, I shared one of my fears. My dislike of toilets. Another event that frightened me many years ago also dealt with a commode. I used a restroom at an amusement park but didn’t pay attention when I sat that this toilet was different. Before I stood, the thing flushed by itself and scared me! The first automatic flushing toilet I’d used. I still don’t like them. But since toilets are a necessity, I’ve had to face my fear.

It's frightening when a son or daughter takes off alone that first, second, and third time after getting their driver’s license. And what about public speaking, job interviews, and waiting for the results of a medical test? These situations often cause us to worry.

The Lord is with us when we are afraid or concerned. He knows what frightens us and what causes our uncertainties and worry. When we trust Him and give Him our fears, He’s right there with us. He won’t leave us alone. We find peace in His presence.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, 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 (NLT).

I’m open to ideas to help our dog let go of her fear. I can tell her to trust in Christ, but I’m not sure she’ll pay attention.

What makes you fearful?

Springtime

In honor of April, I wrote a rhyme I call, Springtime.

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The sun is shining,

I’m happy and blessed.

Except for the pollen,

My nose is a mess.

My eyes are itching,

I can barely breathe.

Oh yeah, it’s springtime,

May I borrow your sleeve?

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I don’t wipe my nose on sleeves. Gross. Just needed a word to rhyme. Tissue wouldn’t work!

The Bible mentions springtime too. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land (Song of Songs 2:11-12, NIV).

What do you enjoy most about spring?

Planting seeds? New life? Growth? Flowers? Warm days? Birds singing? Peaceful evenings?

Spring is my favorite season. Forty-five years ago, during spring, I realized my need for the Lord. My life felt empty and useless; I longed for hope, joy, and peace. I needed rescued.

The Lord planted a seed in my heart the day I picked up a Bible in a hotel room I shared with a friend. She’d gone off with her boyfriend. I stayed behind and enjoyed a pity party. I don’t remember what I prayed that day, but I recall reading Psalm 23. The only scripture I remembered from my church days a few years earlier.

Two months later, I visited a small church near my home. New life entered my weary soul. Jesus became real. A relationship began and continues. Loneliness and emptiness disappeared. Love, joy, and hope took their place.

As I grew in my knowledge of the Lord, His Word chipped away at my rough edges. The ones I turned over to Him. I held on to some. Those needed more time. He’s still at work.

When we allow God to do in us what only He can do, we become like a beautiful, flowering garden full of warmth. He puts a joyful song in our hearts, holds us in His loving arms, and covers us with His peace.

When springtime arrives, my thoughts turn to the Lord and how He gave me new life in Him.

Please share what you enjoy most about spring!

Let Go and Forgive

Why is forgiving others so hard? It’s what the Lord asks us to do in His Word. But the hurt is real. The pain is deep. Are we able to let go and truly forgive?

According to the Bible we are. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Col. 3:13).

Forgiveness is our choice. We either forgive from our heart or hang on to our bitterness and resentment which often leads to anger, hatred, and sickness.

Many times over the years someone has hurt me. A friend’s snide remark, deceitfulness on the job, a supervisor who thought I was incompetent, and a friend who pushed me away are a few of the times when I needed to forgive. These events were painful, and forgiveness did not come easily. I prayed and asked the Lord to soften my heart so I could forgive. I asked Him to allow me to see these people through His eyes of love.

When we hold on to unforgiveness, we make it an idol in our lives. It can become more important than God and honoring His Word. We feed it by justifying we have every right because it hurts. But does holding on to it ease the pain or fuel it? Our unwillingness to forgive keeps our past alive, and the bondage of bitterness can destroy us and our testimony for the Lord.

The Bible says, Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). One truth is that forgiving others sets us free!

When we forgive, we release the painful emotions that rob us of our joy. We let go of our past, the hurt and anger, so we can move forward in healing, faith, and love.

Whether our pain came through abandonment, betrayal, rejection, or abuse forgiving those responsible will bring healing to our hurting hearts. Forgiving those who have hurt us brings freedom!

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph. 4:31-32).

Adapted from my previously published post at www.beyondfirst.org. Used by permission.