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Day 20 - Another Post in Which I Find Deep Spiritual Truths Via Yard Work
When we bought our house over ten years ago, the previous owners had invested a lot of time and money on the landscaping. Which would have been great if we had had the time and knowledge to keep it up. But since my gardening skills are limited, and since I had a one year old and a three year old to care for, the landscaping went wild.
The past two weekends Paul pulled out more of the bushes that came with the house. (We gotten rid of the hated holly bushes years ago!) From the original plantes, we now only have an azalea (which I like) and another bush/tree that looks decent. He pulled out scraggly overgrown bushes and a perfectly healthy sago palm that I had never really liked. We planted a few annuals and bought some camellias which we will plant this week. Then we'll order some small rose plants. We're even putting in an arch.
What struck me today as we worked on making our house beautiful was how we had lived with plants we didn't like for over ten years! We saw those plants as we drove into the driveway every day and didn't like them. But we just kept them there, hoping the Gardening Fairy (sister to the elusive Cleaning Fairy) would come and make our yard beautiful. I never pushed for changer because Paul already works so hard and because I didn't know what else we could do in that space.
Since we've cleared out those plants, our house already looks better! We have worked hard these past two weekends, but we are liking the results. When we finish I will have a home exterior that I love, not one I just tolerate.
As I realized how much better I like my house now, I couldn't help but wonder which attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors I've been putting up with in my life. Things I don't even like, but seem too big to deal with. Things that I don't know how to change or remove. Sometimes I think that, like our landscaping, I just need to start the thing. Because when I look at my life I want to see the things that I WANT to be there, things that are beautiful and that complement who God has made me to be, not just some out-of-control characteristics that I've put up with for too long because I was scared to tackle them.
Day 19 - Why I Can Trust God When Things Look Scary
I enjoy preparing for teaching our middle school Sunday School class because as I read and study the Scriptures, I learn so many things.
This week we are studying Caleb, who, along with Joshua, kept his faith in God even in circumstances that looked scary. One of the points my commentary made was that God had already shown His faithfulness to Israel by essentially defeating the most powerful nation in the Middle East (and probably the most powerful nation on earth at the time). But even with the memory of that amazing display of God's love and power, the people doubted that God would enable them to defeat an assortment of cities and city/states.
On this side of the Cross, it is easy for me to not trust God to do something that looks big or hard to me. But He has already done the biggest and hardest thing ever when Jesus died and rose again! I can have confidence that, like the Israelites, if God leads me somewhere, He will empower me to do it.
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things. ~ Rom. 8:32
Day 18 - Strength for the Weary
After a very full week this is grace.
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is an eternal God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He does not get tired or weary;
there is no limit to his wisdom.
29 He gives strength to those who are tired;
to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.
30 Even youths get tired and weary;
even strong young men clumsily stumble.
31 But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength;
they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings,
they run without growing weary,
they walk without getting tired.
Isaiah 40: 28-31
Day 17 - Linky Graces
Often I find grace in what others have to say. Here are some things that spoke grace to me today:
This powerful post by Jen Hatmaker. Yes! I want to get rid of "They" in my thinking.
This beautiful reminder of how to honor others by Emily Freeman. I loved the Mr. Rogers video!
And this, because there is grace in humor.
Day 16 - The Cat's Meow
Today I'm grateful for Patches, The World's Best Cat. My sister messaged today that her cat of 17 years is not doing well. Even though I like to joke that God is going to keep Patches alive until Jesus comes back, I know that if He tarries we will one day have to say good-bye to our sweet kitty.
I really like how Patches spends time with all of my girls in each of their rooms. Just now she was meowing at my eldest daughter's door to be let in. But by morning, she will probably be sleeping in one of the other girls' beds. She tolerates the extra loving and cuddling the girls sometimes bestow with only some mild cat muttering. And she purrs often. She is a safe confidant for my introvert, and she makes us laugh. I'm so thankful God led me to pick this kitty!
Day 15- Reading Is Fundamental
I love reading. I have as far back as I can remember. I was the kid who won the award for most books read in fifth grade and the one who got in trouble at school for reading a book while the teacher was talking. (In my defense, I already knew the information she was covering.)
I am so thankful my girls have inherited my love of reading. We make many trips to the library, and the online hold system has been a great help. Not to mention the ability to renew books on-line or through our library's app, which has saved us many donations fines.
I love hearing my girls discuss the books they are reading. The characters become real friends, and the plots weave their way into their own histories. My older two are now also noticing the writing. My eldest daughter stopped reading a book because she didn't like the tense it was written in and because she felt the sentences were too choppy. My middle girl surprised herself by enjoying the beginning chapters of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring even though they were more descriptive than action-packed.
I am thankful today for the grace of reading and watching my girls love to read as well.
Day 14 - You Never Give Up on Me
I am much more of a thinker and a talker and a reader than a doer. Getting things done does not come easily for me. I'd much rather ponder, plan, and play than produce. Which absolutely explains the state of my house. I'm not opposed to having an orderly home, I just don't want to do the hard work of creating order out of the chaos that currently exists.
To make matters worse, I am far better at starting tasks than I am at finishing them. I can start the work of getting my kitchen counters all cleared off, but I so often don't get to that one counter that so easily becomes a clutter magnet.
We began our yard overhaul this weekend, but I can easily see my enthusiasm waning quickly if I'm not careful. (I'm sure the neighbors would not like that!)
As I thought about the difficult tasks of doing the work and carrying through with what I start, I was so thankful that God never leaves His job of transforming me into the image of Christ unfinished. Even when it may look like He's given up, I can know He will never give up!
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~ Phil 1:6
