[just because it’s been awhile]

the trees are bare … the grass is dying … the cold has set in … yet …

[still there is beauty]

[dear katelyn]

Two of my very favorite shots from our mini family session this past weekend…

My Dear Katelyn,

You are such a delight to me!  I praise God every single day that he allows me to be your mom.  You are a ray of sunshine!  My prayer for you is that you would rest in the knowledge that you are a daughter of the King!  May you find peace in knowing you are created perfectly in His image.  I read some wise words last week that I want to share with you as you continue to grow into a beautiful young lady…

-Do not worry about being popular.  Just be a friend to the friendless.

-Do not worry about the boys who don’t notice you.  Wait patiently for the one God created with you in mind.

-Do not worry about being as good as someone else.  Just be the best you can be.

-Do not worry about your past mistakes.  They do not define you.

-Do not worry about disappointing me.  Being your mom is the joy of my heart.

-Do not worry when something seems hopeless.  The God of all hope and comfort is in control.  [from the MODSquad blog 10/11/12]

You see, the world is always going to try and bring you down and tell you are not enough.  Don’t listen.  You are more than enough because you have the living God dwelling within you.  Do not fear the future.  God has perfect plans for you and in his perfect time they will be revealed.  In the meantime, keep seeking God with your whole heart.  Search for him and you will find him.  Talk to him and learn from him.

You are loved fiercely. 

With all my love,

Mom

[Wordless Wednesday: love]

 

[run]

I am extremely hesitant to share what I’m about to write because the conclusion to this story has yet to be written and is somewhat uncertain.  I’d much rather share after I know I’ve been successful!  But, this is already a beautiful story of how God is constantly shaping my life, of how he loves me enough to force me out of my comfort zone and how he uses situations in our past to bring us to perfect redemption.  It’s a story too beautiful not to share.

Now that I’ve hopefully captured you attention… [drumroll please!]

I’ve decided to give running a try (again!).

My story with running starts back when I was in high school.  I had a friend who was a runner who convinced me that I should join the cross country team with her because they were short of members.  Why I agreed I have no idea, but the first meet came shortly thereafter – before I had much time to train.  The meet consisted of two races – one for the ladies and then a guy’s race that followed.  I lined up with my fellow competitors and set off for what would become one of the most grueling experiences.  It did not take me long to realize that I was not prepared and as the race went on, I fell further and further behind to the point where most of the girls had finished, the guy’s race had begun and I was not sure I was even going to be able to finish.

At some point in the race, I must’ve run past where my parents were watching because before I knew it, my Dad was running alongside me – in his dress shoes, no less! – helping me get to the finish line.  I did finish that race – my one and only race as a cross country team member – just slightly before the guys starting coming across the finish line.

I was mortified and for the longest time, if you would’ve asked me what my most embarrassing moment was, I would’ve shared that story.  I was embarrassed that I had done so poorly and that the only way I was able to finish was because my Dad ran with me.

Eventually, though, as the years passed by, I began to realize what a gift my Dad had given me that day and stopped seeing that race as such an embarrassment.

But … I had absolutely no desire to ever run again.

In my mind, I had failed and I was not willing to repeat the experience.

Of course, God had other plans!

This past weekend we had our neighbors over for a family photo session and pizza and as we were sitting around the table following dinner, my neighbor and I started talking about bucket lists – things we’d like to accomplish or try sometime in our life.  One of her things was to run a mini marathon and before I knew it, I was agreeing, saying that I too would love to run some type of race.  I’ve seen and heard about people I know training for and running various races and I’ve always wished I was a better runner.  But I had allowed that experience from high school – always in the back of my mind – to keep me from feeling like it was something that I could actually do.

The very next day after our dinner together, I came across a post written on one of the blogs I follow about a wife and mom close in age to me who had recently decided to train for a 5K.  She described some of her insecurities and fears – all of which I could relate to.  But what really struck a chord with me was how part of the reason she decided to take on the challenge was because she wanted to be an example to her kids.  She talked about her constant attempts to encourage them to try new things and get out of their comfort zones and be brave, yet she wasn’t doing any of those things herself.  She realized that if she wanted her kids to try things that might be difficult or uncomfortable, she had to be willing to put herself out there as well.

I read the post through tears and mutual understanding and then forwarded it on to my neighbor to read.  Her response was immediate – “When do we start training?”  We made plans to begin this week.

This series of events wasn’t enough for God, however.  There was more he wanted to do – this time in my heart and my spiritual journey.

Another day went by along with a follow-up post on the same blog.  This time the woman – who had run the 5K the previous day – was sharing her thoughts as well as the specifics of the race itself.  She shared about how her husband chose to run the race as well, even though he rarely had time to train, disliked running because of an old injury and didn’t even own a good pair of running shoes.  They had decided ahead of time that they would each run their own race because she knew he’d be faster and didn’t want to hold him back.  As the race began, he quickly went out ahead of her, but only ahead by enough so that he was always in her sights.  Throughout the race, she knew that he was setting the pace for her … silently leading her along, willing her not to quit.  When he crossed the finish line, he immediately stopped and looked her direction, waiting for her to finish the race as well.

What I loved about her story was the way she was able to relate that experience with her husband and that race, to the way God runs the race of life with each of his children.  He knows what we need and is willing to be there with us with each step we take!

What God did for me in that moment of reading someone else’s experience, was remind me of that race in high school – the one I thought I had failed at.  In an instant the entire experience was completely reshaped in my memory.  Instead of seeing it as an embarrassment and failure, God showed me that by running alongside me through the remainder of the race, my earthly Dad was being an example of my Heavenly Dad.  Just as my earthly Dad ran beside me to help me in my time of need – without any thought to what he was wearing (dress shoes!) or what any one thought – so my Heavenly Dad gives everything to help me as well.  Both love me and believe in me enough to be right beside me.

And so, given the way God has orchestrated the circumstances of the past few days, I can’t not run.  This is my opportunity not only to show my kids that I have the courage to try something I’m really afraid I’m going to be bad at, but also to remind myself that my God promises to be beside, before and behind me every step of the way.

And I’m happy to report that my neighbor and I set out last night on our very first run/walk.  We walked and ran in short intervals and although the first run was particularly difficult and we were both tired, the second one was easier and we both finished the evening feeling pretty empowered.

And isn’t that the way it is with God as well?  His presence empowers us … to keep pressing on, to do the hard thing when it’s asked of us, to lay aside our pride and try something we might not be good at, to be vulnerable in our relationships with one another, to choose joy when we’d rather curl into the fetal position and feel sorry for ourselves.

One step at a time… stride for stride… my God and I…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.  And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.  [Hebrews 12:1]

…journey to be continued…

[And no, the picture really has nothing to do with my story, but since this part of my journey begins in the fall, I thought it was appropriate!  Change is in the air!  And what’s a photo blog without a photo?]

[like father, like son]

If you’re friends with me on facebook, you’ve already seen this one, but I wanted to share it here as well!  This past Monday, we had the privilege of attending our very first band concert to hear our son, Matthew, play his trombone.  Initially, I’ll admit, I wasn’t too sure about this whole band thing … and neither was Matthew.  But it has turned out to be such a positive experience.  Several of his good friends are also in the band (which is kind of the only reason he decided to join in the first place!) and he has really taken to learning how to play a new instrument, after taking piano lessons for six years.  And what’s really special about it, is the fact that his Daddy was also a trombone player in middle and high school!  I love it when they both pull out their trombones and play together – even if it does get a little loud in the living room!

I don’t know if band will stick long term for Matthew or not, but I’m really hoping it does.  I have dreams of watching him in the half time show of the high school football games or going to marching band competitions.  There’s just something about the pomp & circumstance … the precision of it all … the camaraderie … the formality … that is appealing.  Regardless, though, of what he chooses in the future, I’m grateful for the experience he’s enjoying right now.  And plus, he looks awfully cute in his band “uniform!”

[Linking up with Deb for This or That Thursday]

[a first]

Yesterday, for the first time, I sat in the tree stand with my boy and I learned (or was reminded of) a few things in the process…

1.  Hunting is kind of boring

2.  Tree stands are not very comfortable

3.  Climbing up a very tall, skinny ladder is a little scary

4.  It is hard, as a mom, to not feel extremely overprotective of my son in that tree stand that is high off the ground

5.  Being still and quiet for long periods of time is not easy

6.  My son has more courage than I give him credit for

7.  It is very gratifying to watch your child doing something they love

8.  Children feel very blessed when their parents are willing to actively participate in what they enjoy

9.  Our woods are truly beautiful in the fall

10.  It is definitely a privilege to be Andrew’s mom

[golden]

Yesterday’s post was pretty deep, so today I’m keeping it simple!  Just a little fall brilliance from our camping trip last weekend…

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  [Psalm 118:24]

[me just thinking]

 

“The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”  [Steven Pressfield]

Confession time – I constantly struggle with self doubt … about my purpose in this world, about how other people view me, about my worth and value, etc., etc., etc.  The list could go on.

One of the areas I struggle with most, however, is in the area of my photography.  I love photography!  I love being able to capture God’s beauty all around me and I find great pleasure in finding something that seems rather ordinary to the eye and turning it into art.  There’s just something about it that feeds my soul.  And I think I’ve learned enough over the past couple of years to think I’m decent at it.

But I’m constantly struggling with the thought that I’m not good enough.  That I have no business thinking I have any talent or skill with my camera.  That no one really cares what I’m producing.  That so-and-so could and does do it so much better than I do.  That there’s no room for little old me in the photography world.

The constant battle is exhausting really and so rather than fight it any longer, I just gradually start to pull away from what I love.

Yesterday, however, I stumbled upon an article in which the author talked about the book, "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield.  In his book, Pressfield discusses the idea of “resistance” – a common problem for those who are either in the business of or simply enjoy the act of creating something.

The article was not written from a Christian standpoint, but as I read it, it was very easy to recognize this idea of resistance as the direct work of the Enemy.

…the constant self doubt

…the voices that tell you you’re not good enough

…the feeling like you should just give up

…the thought that no one is interested in your creations

I spent the rest of the day pondering that article because it struck a chord with me.  I’ve had people ask me if I’d ever consider going into business or if I’d be willing to take pictures for them and my answer is typically no.  I truly don’t feel called to go into business, however, I feel that a lot of the reason why I’m quick to say no is due to fear … due to the resistance I constantly feel about my work.

It’s no secret that Satan’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy and I wonder if the reason he sets out to resist creative work is because the act of creating anything is typically an outpouring of the heart … the outpouring of oneself.  I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but I admit that when I use my camera to capture or create, it is extremely personal.  My heart typically guides my photography.  I suspect the same is true for the person who paints or draws or sews or writes or anyone who creates anything.

Our hearts are the center of who we are.  It’s what makes us unique.  It’s what draws us closer to God if we know him personally.  Wouldn’t it make sense if that’s the area that Satan would want to attack?  That he would love nothing more than for us to stop sharing our hearts with those around us.  When we create something, it’s an opportunity to share our hearts.  Of course, the Enemy would have us believe that we have nothing to offer!  When we believe the lies, we begin to close off our hearts to others and we stop sharing what only we can offer – ourselves and our unique perspective.

I’ll admit, I’m still mulling all of this over in my mind and have yet to discover what it means for my own personal journey, but I do know one thing … I cannot allow the Enemy to keep me from doing what I love.  I believe that God gave me the desire to create and I believe that he knows whether that desire will ever lead to anything other than what I’m currently doing.  In the meantime, I am going to try saying “yes” more – “yes” to new opportunities, “yes” to doing the work, “yes” to sharing my heart through my pictures, “yes” to being grateful for the opportunity I have to create.

“God measures our success with the yardsticks of obedience, faithfulness, and righteousness.  If you are faithfully doing the work God has given you, you are successful in his eyes.”  [from the commentary section of my Bible in the book of Jeremiah]

[my love]

Words do not begin to express how much I love this man…

Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

[say cheese]

The place where we went camping over the weekend had a barn with animals that you could interact with and pet … I’d say I had some good interaction! 

[joy…gratitude…perspective]

 

It’s true – gratitude does change my perspective.  For a few days last week, I forgot.  I’m hoping to not make that same mistake this week…

#2537 – the sweet, kissable cheeks of my fourteen year old

#2538 – the teen boy whose love language is physical touch which thus far has prevented him from shirking away from the affections of his Momma

#2539 – the smell of the freshly shampooed hair on the twelve year old boy this morning

#2540 – dirty rugs washed clean after a weekend of camping fun

#2541 – a sweet time of fellowship with a friend last night

#2542 – opening our hearts to each other

#2543 – learning how to be brave

#2544 – homemade granola fresh from the oven

#2545 – a phone call from my Dad this morning just to see how our weekend was

#2546 – the reds, oranges, yellows & greens I see on the trees outside my window

#2547 – perfect weather for fall camping

#2548 – the anticipation of a weekend away with my Love

#2549 – cousins who truly enjoy each other’s company

#2550 – prayer in the van before the three head off to school

*My journey towards being a more grateful person started on March 2, 2011 when I picked up a pen and a brand new journal and began counting gifts.  A year and a half later, I have 2,550 gifts counted!

That’s a whole lot of joy!

[moody mums]

 

I wouldn’t typically convert an image of flowers to black and white, but these were white mums to begin with and I thought they looked a little dull.  So on a whim, I tried a black and white conversion and love the way it turned out.  To me, the image is moody, dramatic and way more interesting than it was with color.  Oh how I love playing with pictures!

[fall]

Fall is in the air around here…

[Isaiah 44:3]

 

Isaiah 44:3 … For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields.  And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.

[for Dad]

I promised my Dad a week ago that I would post something new.  I also told him that when I did, I would dedicate it to him.  So, Dad…this is for you.  Thank you for being interested in what I post here (and if I post here!).  And thank you for sharing my love of photography.  I love that we can enjoy this fun hobby together!

I captured this shot last night while Joel and I were out on the boat – for what may be one of the last times this year.  Initially I was disappointed because the sky clouded up immensely from the time we left home until we reached the boat and I had brought my camera hoping for some good sunset pictures.  However, for a brief moment near the end of our time, the sun peeked through the clouds allowing us to enjoy just a small taste of a sunset.

And I thought these words from a recent Jesus Calling devotion were the perfect accompaniment to the image…

Jesus Calling:  September 7

Enjoy the warmth of MY PRESENCE upon you.  Feel your face tingle as you bask in My Love-Light.  I delight in you more than you can imagine.  I approve of you continuously, for I see you cloaked in My Light, arrayed in My righteousness.  There is no condemnation for those who are clothed in Me!

Calendar Garden [late August]

It’s been awhile since I linked up with This or That Thursday (or anywhere, really) but I thought today was a good day to jump on board and share some pictures I took last week at the local Calendar Garden.  This particular garden is one of my favorites because it is broken up into four sections – one for each season of the year.  At any time of the year, you can go and see different plants and flowers blooming based on what’s in season.  Many of the summer blooms were already past their peak, but I was excited to find that there was still beauty to be found.  Enjoy God’s beautiful creation…

[authentic worship]

 

Not everything feels like a gift from God.  But I’m learning that if I count gifts on a daily basis, the things that don’t seem like gifts, actually are.  It’s easy to thank God for things like my family, food on our table, our home, a beautiful sunny day, words of encouragement from a friend, etc.  But what about thanking him for the two boys in my son’s gym class who think it’s fun to pick on him for being smaller?  Or the times when my life feels small and insignificant – when it seems the most important thing I did all day was start and finish the laundry?  At first glance, it’s easy to miss those circumstances as gifts.  But the bullying in gym class is a gift because it teaches my son courage in the face of adversity and reliance on God when he feels alone.  No, it’s not fun to endure the ridicule of others, but when he claims the truths of scripture – “I command you – be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) – as he walks out the door in the morning … is that not a gift?  And those times when I am lonely and I wonder if there will ever be more to my life than laundry and dishes and chores … those are gifts as well!  Because it’s in those moments that God reminds me that when I serve my family, I serve Him.  It’s when I’m feeling low because I see other people doing “big things” in the world that God whispers how important motherhood is to him.  That he sees me and knows me.  That I do not work in vain.  That I’m applauded by an audience of One.

…everything is a gift from God!

That’s authentic worship.

[beauty]

 

Beauty is about

authenticity not applause

character not cosmetics

thoughtfulness not thinness

modesty not modeling

purity not perfection

kindness not keeping up

reality not running away

wisdom not wildness

servanthood not sexiness

influence not imitation

unmasking not masking

being you not being theirs

(from the MODSquad.com blog 4/12)

 

Oh how I pray for the heart of my girl … that she would embrace what beauty is, not what it isn’t.

1st day of school!

 

Yesterday was the first day of school for our family!  I shared recently about some of my fears in regards to this new school year and so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share some of the things I wrote in my gratitude journal yesterday:

#2361 … for the reminder to my children on the eve of their 1st day of school to put on the armor of God

#2362 … for prayers and time in the Word as a family

#2363 … for the expectation of seeing God at work

#2364 … for a sweet time of prayer and fellowship before bed with my sweet girl who was so full of worry

#2365 … for being able to physically see the worry leave her as I prayed over her

#2366 … for four simple words – “I trust you God!”

#2367 … for the note left on the kitchen counter before school from brother to sister, assuring her of prayers and love

#2368 … for fresh tears on my face as I say goodbye for the day

#2369 … for knowing they’ll return

#2370 … for peace in knowing they’re in God’s care

#2371 … for a morning alone with my Love

#2372 … for a sushi lunch with my forever date

#2373 … for good reports and successful days for all three

#2374 … for the gift of lunch buddies for both boys

#2375 … for hearing Katelyn tell of how God answered her prayers

God is faithful, my friends!

[her hair]

It’s been been almost two years since she’s had a haircut.  This week, however, this precious girl got a new look … and in the process she was able to donate her cut hair to an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients.  Win-win situation!

[only God]

 

I feel as though I’m bursting with excitement over the things God is teaching me lately and the ways he is caring for my heart.  You see, my kids go back to school next week, which is always a difficult time for this Momma who truly prefers to have her little birdies close to the nest, so to speak.  This year feels particularly hard in part because Andrew starts high school, Matthew starts middle school and it is the first year that we have three kids in three different schools.  There are days when this stage of our family feels overwhelming … when I wish I could just put the brakes on and slow life down a bit.

Through it all … the depression I’ve struggled with this summer, the anxiety about the unknown, the anticipation of a different sort of normal … God has been faithful!  He’s given me verses, songs, devotionals, books, messages at church and conversations with friends and family that have calmed my heart and fears at exactly the right moment.

And I am so grateful!

A few weeks ago, when I was in the midst of a particularly low point, he gave me Isaiah 42:16…

I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way.  I will make the darkness bright before them and smooth out the road ahead of them.  Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.

What made this verse so significant to me is the fact that it specifically spoke to some of my biggest fears for sending the kids to school (specifically high school) …

newness

unfamiliarity

the darkness of a large, public high school

the possibility for trials

In the less than a minute it took for me to read those words, my fears were exposed and the truth of who God is and what he wants to do in the lives of my kids was illuminated.  I won’t say that I still don’t have moments of panic, but I feel so much more at peace (thus the verse I chose for the photo above) with our situation.

Only God…

[clean & simple]

 

Today’s Gift?

God’s goodness!

Celebrating Green!

A few weeks ago as I was – yet again – watering my outdoor plants, I found myself beginning to inwardly grumble and complain at how dry everything was.  After weeks and weeks with little to no rain, the grass had gone dormant and the only thing keeping many of my plants from dying were my once or twice a day waterings.  And, quite frankly, I was tired of it.  Tired of watering, tired of looking at dead grass and tired of the dryness all around me.

And then for some unknown reason, I began to really look around.  You know what I saw?  Green!  When I saw my world with different eyes, things didn’t look as bad anymore.

Once my watering was finished I grabbed my camera and went in search of as much green as I could find.  I looked for different textures and shades … different plants and trees.  If it was green, I took a picture of it.  Here is a sampling of what I found…

Growth in the midst of dryness!  Praise Jesus!

Psalm 23:2 … He lets me rest in GREEN meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Playing in the rain!

Yesterday morning we awoke to the most amazing sight … RAIN!!  It’s been awhile since we’ve seen any substantial rainfall so it was almost as if we were waking up on Christmas morning.  We were that excited!

The kids (well, two of them anyway) immediately asked if they could go out and play in the rain which led to them having a blast prancing around the yard with and without umbrellas in hand.  Such fun!

Psalm 135:7 … He causes the clouds to rise over the whole earth.  He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.

Another lesson learned from a weed…

God has a way of using nature to get my attention.  This week, he used a simple weed to teach me some very valuable lessons and change my perspective in some areas of my life in which I’ve been struggling.  To help me explain, I want to once again, introduce you to my friend, Heidi.  You may remember her guest post from a few weeks ago in which she shared about her new book, The Secret to Counting Gifts.

Yesterday Heidi shared a post on her blog about drought and Queen Anne’s Lace that resonated with me in some pretty specific ways.  She has graciously given me permission to repost her words here.  I’ve included them at the end of this post … my prayer is that they will encourage your heart like they did mine.

Before I get to the words, however, please enjoy the Queen Anne’s Lace that I captured yesterday…

*******

How to Bloom in a Drought by Heidi Kreider

Mentioning that we’re in an epic drought is kinda like stating the obvious, right now. I think most of the US is facing a drought, the likes of which haven’t been seen in a while. It’s dry. It’s dusty. It’s hot.

And, yet…

… this wasn’t here when my kids last mowed the lawn 6 weeks ago.

I know… it’s a weed, commonly called Queen Anne’s Lace or Wild Carrot. And, right now, it is smack-dab in the middle of the dead grass that used to be my lawn… sitting there all by its lonesome blooming like crazy. Does it know that we stopped watering weeks ago to conserve our well? Has it heard the forecast of another day topping out around 100*? Does it realize that nothing around it is blooming?

Last night, I sat and marveled at this little white weed blooming in my dead yard. Silent tears streamed down my parched heart and flowed down my dry face.

How can it be that in the midst of the dry and the dead, it quietly grows?
How can a weed grow and bloom when my flowers have long since died?
How can a blooming weed speak to this arid heart?

I’m still not sure I have all the answers to those questions but I am confident that I have much to learn from this little tenacious weed blooming in a drought…

…bloom where you are planted…

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stand in the path of the sinners,
nor sit in the seat of the scoffers

God didn’t place this little weed in the center of a lovely garden. If He did, it would have been plucked with all the other weeds. It wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to bloom. Instead, the Master Gardner placed it where it would stand out and be noticed. He placed it where it would bloom and point to Him. He placed it where He saw fit for it to grow.

…bloom through your roots…

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and in his law he meditates day and night

Obviously, this little weed needs little to grow. It’s roots know just how far to go to find the moisture to sustain and grow. It’s roots know where to look for that moisture and it isn’t sidetracked looking somewhere else. When the seed of this plant fell in the midst of my yard, it knew exactly how to grow the roots that would later bring the blossoms. This drought hasn’t deterred this little weed because it blooms through it’s roots.

…bloom with your own blossoms…

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its own season
and its leaf does not wither;
and in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3

A wild carrot doesn’t aspire to be a petunia or a tulip. It doesn’t try to make its self over to be a rose or a peony. Instead, it blooms with the blossoms it has been given. It blooms the way it was created to bloom, with the blossom that has been uniquely given to the plant we call Queen Anne’s Lace.

******

Some of the things I regularly struggle with are feelings of invisibility and insignificance …feeling like I don’t matter and am not doing anything worth noticing.  I constantly fight an inner battle where I feel as though I don’t fit in anywhere.  And when I’m feeling exceptionally low, my heart begins to go through a drought, much like the one our area of the country is currently experiencing.  Unfortunately that has been the state of my heart in recent weeks.

So when I read Heidi’s words yesterday, my heart felt watered.

…”God didn’t place this little weed in the center of a lovely garden. …Instead the Master Gardner placed it where it would stand out and be noticed.  He placed it where it would bloom and point to him.  He placed it where he saw fit for it to grow.”

God has a specific plan for my life that does not need to look like the plans he has for others.  Just like the Queen Anne’s Lace, he has placed me exactly where he wants me to be … where I can shine and point to him.  That place might not be center stage in front of a big audience … it might be center stage in front of an audience of one.  And that’s okay.

…”A wild carrot doesn’t aspire to be a petunia or a tulip.  It doesn’t try to make its self over to be a rose or a peony.  Instead it blooms with the blossoms it has been given.”

I needed this reminder.  I have got to stop comparing myself to all the other flowers in the garden.  God doesn’t ask me to be something I’m not.  He does, however, ask me to bloom with the blossoms I’ve been given.  Everything I need to bloom has been given to me.  All I have to do is let my roots soak up the nourishment of truth from the Master Gardener.

I will probably never look at Queen Anne’s Lace the same again.  In fact, since taking the above pictures in my own yard and opening my heart to the lesson God taught me through this unassuming weed, I’ve been spotting them everywhere.  Just another reminder that God’s truth is everywhere … if only I will just open my eyes and heart to it.