Garden Surprise!

Matthew 13: 44-46
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The columbine had finished blooming. 

The other day, I cut back the columbine, an early spring bloomer, and opened up a spot in the front of my garden. With the spent flowers gone, the pink and white flox shined and flowered to their fullest, but the best surprise, hidden under the other plants, was the sweet little pinkish-red begonia. I had no idea this little guy even existed. He hid under the other plants, yet his blossom pushed forth.

I admit, my heart did a little flip-flop of excitement when I spied the tiny thing. I'd thought about buying some begonias and planting them this year, but never did, so this little one brought me unexpected joy. I hope it grows and continues to bloom this summer.

Like my hidden treasure in the flower bed, the kingdom of heaven is a gift to us. I didn't buy it, but Jesus did. He's the one who buys the field, in the parable, so He can share the treasure with the people who love and believe in Him.

The same with the pearls. Jesus gave everything so that we could be part of the kingdom of heaven. I can't buy my way into salvation or heaven, but Jesus can and did. He traded His life for mine because He loves so much. When I spied the little begonia, I was reminded of Jesus' great love and His gift of eternal life. His gift is free for anyone who wants it.

Seek Jesus and receive His treasure.

Constant Consistency

 Every year without fail, the double lilies, my mom gave me, burst into bloom.

I can count on them to show their pretty heads at the end of June.

Every summer as I watch the flowers bloom, 

I'm reminded of the constant consistency of Jesus. 

Regardless of the circumstances or seasons

Jesus remains the same.

He shows up for us every day, loves us every day, and longs for us 

to part of His kingdom every day.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -Hebrews 13:8

If you're looking for someone to trust, who won't let you down, seek Jesus.

Washed

Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

The waves pushed and pulled. 

We rested on the rocks under Marblehead Lighthouse in northern Ohio. Lake Erie's water ebbed and flowed over the shore. A splash, then the water washed the stone, over and over. As I watched the water run in and out, I noticed how it rolled over the same stones in the same pattern. With every wave, the flow touched that rock again and again.

I remember a song from my childhood days in church that asked if you were washed by the blood of the Lamb. I was baptized around fourteen years old and was washed by water and the blood of Jesus. I'm not certain, at that age, if I understood what salvation meant. I believed in Jesus and knew He loved me, but it took me years to have the faith I needed to trust God with all of my heart.

Hebrews talks a lot about how to live life as a follower of Jesus. I love I can have confidence living for Jesus. My faith grows more each day. Watching the water flow over the rock reminded me I'm on a journey, and God washes over me with His love, grace, and hope. As the rock continues to be shaped by the lake water, I continue to be molded by my Creator.

Allow God to wash you with His mercy and grace.

Shake it Off

As I watched this white egret shake out her feathers, I had to laugh.

I'm guessing she was ridding her feathers of lake water.

Her crazy dance reminded me to shake off yesterday's woes and embrace today.

Psalm 118:24
The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

 

Grow Through It

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Every flower must grow through dirt. 

I've grown zinnias everywhere we've lived. The tall green stems topped with an array of color danced in my flowerbeds all summer—until we moved to the condo. The little plot where the lavender and black-eyed Susans thrive isn't good for zinnias. I'd given up trying to grow them from seed until a new spot opened on the other side of the porch. The HOA had removed a pine tree and left a gaping hole in the landscape. When the neighbor gave me several packets of flower seeds, I stirred the dirt, laid down some potting soil, and sprinkled the seeds with the hope of growth.

In about a week, little seedlings pushed through the dirt. Those tiny green sprouts brought me joy. Not all the seeds made an appearance, but the ones who did will show the colors of summer. I'm eager to see how they grow and bloom.

Like the seedlings, sometimes we have to push through the dirt to grow. The soil may represent a difficult time in our lives when our hearts are tested by sorrow, despair, or uncertainty. Or maybe we're in the wrong soil, like the zinnias. The dirt in the little flowerbed didn't allow for growth, but the other side had the nourishment the plants needed.

Maybe we're in the wrong place because we aren't listening to God. What if I've allowed myself to stop listening to the Holy Spirit, which means I've cut off my life's supply of grace and hope?

Regardless of where I am in life, I will continue to grow through as I go through. Whether I'm pushing through the soil or finding myself in the wrong spot, I need to seek Jesus and listen to the Spirit of God so my faith will produce perseverance and perseverance will bring me to maturity.

Have you planted your heart in God's soil?

He Cares

I love this time of year, before the temperature rises beyond eighty,
and the plants sprout from the ground. 

My flowers are mostly perennials that reseed and return year after year. 
I don't have to do much to the plants,
and before long I'll have a lovely rainbow of blooms.

I think God filled the world with flowers to remind us how much He cares.

"Consider how the wild flowers grow.
They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you,
not even Solomon in all his splendor
was dressed like one of these."
-Luke 12:27

Three Little Words

1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith, hope, love—three little words with huge impact.

On my journey as a writer, I meet a lot of interesting people. Some of my favorites are the folks who have dwelled on this earth for many years. On a recent trip to meet a group of senior citizens, (yes, I am one, too) I chatted with a couple of women in their nineties. Their sweet smiles and friendly voices drew me in. We talked about crocheting, knitting, and books. One lovely lady invited me to their crochet group. They had no idea the impact they had on me. I wasn't feeling well and had awakened that morning in a grumpy mood. Yet, these women, older than me, most likely with aches and pains of age, cheered me up.

Through their faith, love, and hope they gave me a reason to examine my heart. I thought I had come to brighten their day, but the opposite took place. They gave me more reasons to be thankful and praise God.

The church in Thessalonica was young, barely a year old, but they already had faith, love, and hope. Apostle Paul, the author of Thessalonians, acknowledged the faith they held onto in their work to increase the church, the love they showed others in the community, and the hope they held onto as they endured opposition. The Thessalonians knew Jesus promised to return in His glory. Until that time, they labored with love and worked in faith.

As a believer in Jesus, I know He will return for His followers. One of these days, the trumpets will sound and the angels will rejoice when we see Jesus. In the meantime, I'll work in faith and labor in love, as I hold on to hope.

Are you ready to meet Jesus?

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. -Matthew 24:44

*This devotion was inspired by Aaron Adams' sermon on Sunday. Thank you Aaron.