Part of the Freedom

Romans 5:3-4
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

I fell down, but I got back up.

No, I didn't actually fall to the ground, but so many times I've fallen in my walk with Jesus.

One of the last days of school this year, I helped in my daughter's first grade class. We stood in the hallway waiting for the children to finish their bathroom break, and one of the little ones had done something they shouldn't. I witnessed the most wonderful conversation. The child's sorrowful face dripped a few tears and my daughter leaned near and asked, "I appreciate that you are sorry for what happened, but what did you learn? We all make mistakes, but most important is to learn from them and do better next time. Don't let one mistake ruin your day."

I'd actually been thinking about this topic recently in reference to my writing. I can sit and cringe over the mistakes I make, or I can learn from them, and move forward. One of my book signings didn't go exactly the way I had hoped, but now I know what to do to make the experience better next time. I could have stewed about it, but I chose to see the whole picture, and know this is a lesson learned.

Confession time, I sin and make mistakes even though I'm a Christian. I'm not perfect, but thank goodness Jesus is. If I stew in past mistakes instead of looking at myself as a forgiven soul, my spiritual life will wither and die. Instead, I have to let go, seek forgiveness, re-evaluate, apply what I learned, forgive myself, and keep moving forward as God intends.

Romans reminds me to persevere, finish my work, and move toward maturity in Christ. I want to take those teachable moments like my daughter did and apply them to my life, so I grow in my walk with Jesus and not sit in my own mess. God is the God of second chances, He calls his followers to seek forgiveness and try again. That's part of the freedom I have in being a disciple of Jesus.

Seek the lesson to be learned and keep moving forward.

The Butterfly

One thing the children in my daughter's class love to watch 

is a caterpillar's process of spinning a chrysalis, 

sleeping for a time, and emerging a butterfly.

God created those lumpy, bumpy caterpillars 

to go through a metamorphic change

and come out graceful and colorful creatures.

As I've gotten older and hopefully wiser, 

I realize that the dark times I've gone through

have helped me learn to rely on God more 

and be a kinder, more loving person in the end.

I may not be a graceful butterfly, 

but I am a child of God covered by His grace.

 

So Did I

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

My columbine cross-pollinated.

When I first planted columbine in my flower garden, I started with one or two plants. I had grown the old-fashioned ones for years, but when I moved, I failed to take them with me. Eventually, I gathered starts of white and purple from my siblings and added a pretty blue one. With their pops of color and lacey leaves, they add bursts of joy to my plot. As the spring flowers bloom, I'm reminded once again of God's handiwork.

Last year as I perused the early blossoms, I noticed a change in one of the columbine plants. The white ones generally have a multi-petaled bloom, while the purple and blue produce more of a bell shape with tiny curls on the edges. When I focused the camera on one of the white blossoms, I noticed it had a bell shape, too. The white had cross-pollinated with one of the other plants and created a delicate white bell with curls.

I'm fascinated by the work of God in nature. Of course this discovery got me thinking. When I as a human "cross-pollinate" with the grace God offers, I become a different person. I'm no longer relying on myself. Instead, I'm a child of God who relies on my heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Through Him my soul reaches a level of beauty I could not imagine possible.

Just as the white columbine changed and blossomed, so did I when I surrendered my life to Jesus. He has a good work for me to do and when I mesh the abilities and desires God has given me with his grace and forgiveness, I'm a new creation who by what I do, brings glory to my Father. I thank God for His grace and mercy and for the chance to make a difference.

Praise God for Jesus and for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Work of Heart

I enjoy growing herbs and flowers in my tiny garden.

One of my favorite flowers that greets me each spring is the columbine.

I planted purple, white, and blue, and I plan to add pink.

They're all unique, and each one adds beauty to my little plot.

Each person is a work of heart, like the flowers.

God creates us in the womb and breathes life into us.

Each person is unique and has the potential to add beauty to the world.

 

Enter to Win!!!

I am excited to announce my book, Home Where She Belongs, is part of the Basketful of Books Giveaway. This giveaway runs 5/16 through 5/21, and the prize consists of twelve Christian books. The 1st place winner will receive all twelve books (authors' choice of format) and the 2nd place winner will receive three books (authors' choice of format) of their choosing. A variety of genres, from fantasy to historical romance to suspense and more, are featured.

You can enter to win here:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bfce54d32/?

#basketfulofbooks #christianbookgiveaway #readingcommunity #freebooks

 

Find the Tunnel

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.

Can you hold your breath through a tunnel?

On vacation or road trips, I remember a game where we tried to hold our breath while we crossed a bridge or drove through a tunnel. I think that was our parents' way of getting us quiet for a few minutes. Oh, wait, I was the parent, and yes, it was the perfect game for a moment of peace.

In my travels, I've never been a fan of crossing bridges, especially long ones. I remember on one trip we drove across a long curving bridge over water, and my stomach turned into ball of nerves. On other trips, we've traveled through tunnels, and I loved them. When Hannah lived in the Carolina's we drove through a couple of long tunnels that snaked under mountains, and I was always excited to see the light at the other end. There's something about the anticipation of seeing daylight shine on the way out.

While riding through a tunnel in a car with headlights can be fun, navigating life in the dark isn't. Depression, illness, sorrow, pain, and sin can all cause darkness to swallow the light. But I have good news. Jesus' light outshines all the darkness in the world.

For many years, I struggled with anxiety and some depression, but Jesus didn't leave me there. He guided me to find a doctor who could help, he answered prayers, and gave me hope. But in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I first had to find the tunnel. God's word, His voice of truth, lit my way through the place I needed to walk. On the other end, I found joy and hope.

Maybe you know the way to the tunnel that provides light, but haven't driven there yet. Maybe you're in the tunnel and well on your way to the light. Maybe you've missed the tunnel altogether. No matter what, keep moving toward Jesus and seek His light. He loves every one of us.

Hope of Spring!

One of my favorite signs of spring blooms in early May.

The dogwood offers her showy blossoms in white and pink. 

If you know me, you know I love pink.

God has given us so many beautiful plants, 

and they bring joy to my heart and hope to my soul.

As the creator of all things, He gave us beauty to encourage and lift our hearts.

When you see the glory of spring, have hope!