Thrive

The iron gate creaked with a high-pitched “Where have YOU been?” tone. I tried to brush away the guilt of dead, forgotten plants and the crunch of dried up, soon-to-be-dust weeds beneath my feet.

“I’m only here to snip a sprig of cilantro,” I said to all the little down-turned flower faces. Hmmm…if only it were still alive.

I closed the gate behind me biting my lip. If only there were more hours in a day. If only I could get to all the things needing my attention.

If only…

It doesn’t take that much time, really. After years of gardening, I know that my little space responds well to a little water and a little pruning here and there, and yes, even a little prayer. All it takes is a little time, patience and sacrifice. There’s always potential. There’s always still a bit of life left way down deep even if the exterior looks close to death.

And once again I’m reminded that one should never give up on something…or someone…with the potential to be lovely. With a little time and extra work, life and God-given beauty can be restored. There isn’t a garden that doesn’t benefit from a little love and attention, the nurturing that comes from a willing heart.

That which is meant to grow and bloom…will. I believe we’re put here to thrive in our elements…or in spite of them and that nothing or no one is beyond repair or redemption. There's a God-shaped need in all of us.

Every garden has potential.

There isn’t a soul that isn’t worth saving. There isn’t a soul that CAN’T be saved. When it comes to the effort and dedication of making this new creation in Jesus’ name, nothing is wasted. Never. Give. Up. on a soul needing Jesus.

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

(1 Timothy 2:3-4)

Transformed

I lit the candle on the buffet by the front door. Lit the one in the kitchen, too.

I fluffed the pillows on the couch and folded the throw blanket over the arm rest.

I checked the bread baking in the oven and adjusted the music from Classical to Christmas carols.

The lights and festive decorations across the fireplace mantle cast a warm glow to the living room and instantly my mood changed from hurried and distracted to centered and settled.

It’s amazing the impact just a few simple elements

can have on my mood and my whole outlook.

Sometimes, to bring real transformation about, you have to change your surroundings, or perhaps just a few simple, though important, elements – the ones that reach beneath the skin.

When we fill our lives with things that are not of the Lord…we become something other than what He desires for us.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Real transformation takes place in the heart…right there where the Lord lives. Only He will make sense out of the chaos. Only He will bring about real transformation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  (2 Cor. 5:17)

Many Blessings,

Debbie