Sunday, April 19, 2015

Brief and Meaningful Detour

I have to take a short break from the series I began on Sparrows.

Hang in there with me for this glimpse.

I was doing some spring cleaning yesterday. (Please don't hate me for doing just a little bit.) I'd saved the potting of flowers for last as a sort of reward. I enjoy working with plants, perhaps because I can get my hands dirty.

As I moved some daffodils to a favorite crock, the thought crept in that I'd gotten caught up in the humdrum of my tasks. I mentally shook myself and turned my mind heavenward. God, where are you in the midst of these simple chores? 

BAM

God showed up.

If you look closely, maybe you'll see Him in the photo I took right then.

I bought a good size bunch of daffodils, but I wanted my flowers blooming in two smaller and prettier pots. First I had to bend and push and roll the plastic container to loosen the packed dirt. Next I had to coax the bulbs out of their little beds. 
(Coax is a nice word for yank and haul them out.)

It took a fair amount of ripping to separate the root systems into the two batches I wanted. Then I had to hold the bulbs together as I carefully settled each grouping into its new home. During the final step of tamping down the fresh potting soil I imagined the beautiful blossoms that I was sure would appear. That's when I'd called out to my heavenly Father.

I admit His reply made me smile. It went something like this.

"Sandra, I'm right here showing you My ways. Look at the transplanting process you've undertaken. You've had to rip those plants out of that container. You even broke apart their root system to move them into better-suited vessels. And as you set them in place you're surrounding them with nurturing soil and adding water to make sure everything is ready to support hearty and beautiful growth. That's how I often work in the lives of my children to show forth my glory and bring them peace and joy."

Okay, so it wasn't an audible voice, but that was the message.

And I smiled because I've been thinking of that 'Bloom where you're planted' phrase lately.

Scripture came to mind.

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:9-11

Since I can trust God for anything, I guess I can trust Him to keep me growing and blooming. I'll keep asking.

"From one man he* made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he* determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being."  Acts 17:26


Since the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth decides where I live, I guess I can relax into my growing and blooming with confidence.


How about you? 



Have you gone through a transplant lately?
Are you going through one now?

Be assured that it's God's hands you feel moving you out of one pot and into another. 
He's the Master Gardener and you're in very good hands.
Let me know how it's going and I'll pray with and for you.

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*"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." vv. 24,25

2 comments:

  1. This is a GOOD detour. I love that passage out of Acts.

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    Replies
    1. It's always a joy to hear the Lord's work in my life blesses another. Thank you.
      And I know you're blooming, dear Sister. :-)

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