Gardening is relaxing. As I water, prune and admire my plants, it gives me an opportunity to simply slow down and ponder on just about anything. Today, as I was pulling the dead leaves off of my pansies, I realized this is a painstaking process. When I remove the tattered, withered leaves, I have to be careful and not harm the vibrant leaves. It is impossible to rush through this process, it definitely takes time. The end result is seeing a majestic plant free from dingy, brown leaves and lifeless, colorless flowers. After I complete this task, sure the flower box looks a little empty. My gratitude comes when I return the next week and behold new growth!
Repentance is much the same way. No, repentance cannot be done once a week, you must repent daily. It takes time to search your heart and remove bitterness, envy, bad attitudes, but by repenting you allow the Lord to plant new seed. It is through repentance that you gain fertile ground. Without repentance, a bad attitude can fester into a habit of habitual wrong doing. A pang of envy against a fellow saint can turn into jealousy. Jealousy will then ruin any chance of friendship that you may have experienced.
Every individual battles different situations, but I have found that it is best to take time and address what is bothering you before it festers out of control. If you take time to examine your emotions and the various situations in your life, you will definitely find areas where you can make a change. By going through this simple process, your life is enriched, and the end result is worth it all!
Saturday, June 10
Thursday, May 18
Words You Can't Live Without
One simple pleasure of life is GRATITUDE! When you express your appreciation to someone, you are imparting valuable words of wisdom. More importantly, it only takes a few seconds to say, "Thank you," but the lasting effects of such simplistic words linger on for hours or perhaps even days. Therefore, "Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." (1 Th. 5:18, The Message)
Thursday, April 6
Something to Think About
"Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake" "Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter. "How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart."
I am so thankful that God is in control of my life. Like this young girl, I have often wondered "what did I do to deserve this?" God truly knows what is best. God understands when no one else does. God is marvelous, and He will continue to lead and guide me as I walk this journey of life.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake" "Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter. "How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart."
I am so thankful that God is in control of my life. Like this young girl, I have often wondered "what did I do to deserve this?" God truly knows what is best. God understands when no one else does. God is marvelous, and He will continue to lead and guide me as I walk this journey of life.
Sunday, April 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)