It’s mid – October, yet one of my summer seeds is just now showing her beauty!

It’s important to know that I’ve been growing purple, white and pink Morning Glories for many years now. It’s been my experience that they seem to grow anywhere they are planted, and are very adaptable to sun or part shade… my kind of flower.

Because of the success and ease of these flowers, this spring I thought I would try my hand at growing BLUE Glories. I placed them center stage on my deck, positioned the trellis just right, and eagerly awaited their blue show.

Well…it was a very long wait. It took FIVE months before I saw even one bud, let alone one bloom! From May – early October all I had was a fast growing, green vine, yet zero flowers. 

It wasn’t until high winds broke my deck umbrella that I even saw the hope of a blue bloom. Once the umbrella came down, all the shade was removed from my deck. Perhaps it was coincidence or perhaps I bought a finicky variety, but within just one week of full sun, the blooms came out in full force!

As I peeked outside this morning I saw these beautiful blooms reaching so eagerly towards the sun! Upon seeing these brilliant blues stand out against my fall mums, I immediately thought of us as women…

Although there will always be someone else blooming in their particular season, it does not mean you need to sit on the sidelines until they’re finished. Get out there and do the work God has called you to do… burst forth in bloom!

Romans 12:6, 7b-8 tells us: We all have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If your gift is serving, then serve, if it is teaching, then teach, if it is to encourage, then give encouragement, if it is giving, then give generously, if it is to lead, do it diligently, if it is to show mercy, do so cheerfully.

Ladies, we are gifted to bloom at different times according to God’s purpose for our gifts and talents And, we are stronger together. Stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect anything.

Remove the shade from your spiritual eyes per say, absorb the “Full Son”, and watch what God can do!

It’s mid – October, yet one of my summer seeds is just now showing her beauty!

It’s important to know that I’ve been growing purple, white and pink Morning Glories for many years now. It’s been my experience that they seem to grow anywhere they are planted, and are very adaptable to sun or part shade… my kind of flower.

Because of the success and ease of these flowers, this spring I thought I would try my hand at growing BLUE Glories. I placed them center stage on my deck, positioned the trellis just right, and eagerly awaited their blue show.

Well…it was a very long wait. It took FIVE months before I saw even one bud, let alone one bloom! From May – early October all I had was a fast growing, green vine, yet zero flowers. 

It wasn’t until high winds broke my deck umbrella that I even saw the hope of a blue bloom. Once the umbrella came down, all the shade was removed from my deck. Perhaps it was coincidence or perhaps I bought a finicky variety, but within just one week of full sun, the blooms came out in full force!

As I peeked outside this morning I saw these beautiful blooms reaching so eagerly towards the sun! Upon seeing these brilliant blues stand out against my fall mums, I immediately thought of us as women…

Although there will always be someone else blooming in their particular season, it does not mean you need to sit on the sidelines until they’re finished. Get out there and do the work God has called you to do… burst forth in bloom!

Romans 12:6, 7b-8 tells us: We all have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If your gift is serving, then serve, if it is teaching, then teach, if it is to encourage, then give encouragement, if it is giving, then give generously, if it is to lead, do it diligently, if it is to show mercy, do so cheerfully.

Ladies, we are gifted to bloom at different times according to God’s purpose for our gifts and talents And, we are stronger together. Stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect anything.

Remove the shade from your spiritual eyes per say, absorb the “Full Son”, and watch what God can do!

As the bright summer flowers fade, the deep jewel tones of autumn begin to emerge. There is something special about the colors of sunflowers and mums, the cooler weather and the pumpkins that make me smile.

Over the years, I have learned to align my love of sunflowers and pumpkins with the reality that our mighty God is the one who created those things that I appreciate so much! I have shifted the focus from the “creation” to the “creator”. That small perspective gives deep purpose to every flower picture I take and every mum and pumpkin I arrange on my porch. Each season, my gratitude grows and my adoration for God’s handiwork increases.

You’ve probably heard the lyrics to the 1965 song “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds … a time to plant, a time to reap, a time to laugh, a time to weep, a time to every purpose, under heaven. As the seasons change, I am reminded of that song and more importantly the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. Those lyrics are actually an adaptation from Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.

Ecclesiastes highlights the emptiness of trying to be happy apart from God. It speaks of the meaninglessness of so many of our activities and intentions. As I read Ecclesiastes, I think of all the fleeting things that temporarily fill my heart and mind with happiness, including my love of flowers and fall.

As I try to hang on to the colors of fall, I am reminded that it’s the love of my heavenly father that truly fills my heart with joy, not the fleeting jewel tones of autumn.  

Although I will continue to capture sunflowers through my camera lens, it will always be my heavenly father’s love for me that captures my heart … in every season!

Today I was inspired by a dahlia.

I’ve learned that dahlias are known to symbolize elegance, inner strength, creativity and dignity. They are also known to represent one who stands strong in his/her sacred values. This blend of adjectives had me thinking …. I too strive to have these qualities!

As I was considering these qualities I was also reflecting on today’s events.

I had the honor of giving a devotion for our bible study leadership team and chose to share about sowing seeds.

The parable of the sower and the seed in Matthew 18 speaks directly to the fact that nearly every element of gardening has a correlation to our faith walk. It speaks about the condition of our hearts (our soil) and whether or not spiritual seed (God’s word) can take root and grow in it.

This parable contains vivid imagery which represents the manner in which we should care for the condition of our heart. Just as a dahlia needs rich, fertile soil to produce its’ magnificent blooms, so our hearts need to be well tended to in order to bloom for eternal purposes.

I pray that you might consider tending to (gardening) the soil of your heart. Spend time with the Lord and ask him to reveal what weeds might be choking your bloom potential, what might be causing shallow roots to grow instead of deep roots…Busyness? Selfishness?

If a mere flower can attain dignified status merely because of its appearance, imagine how much more those who love the Lord can attain for the kingdom?

The dahlia flower requires much care in order to become the bold, beautiful flower it’s created to be. However, your beautiful boldness as a daughter of the King is worth a hundred times more than any flower ever created ❤️

I was shocked when I woke up to a winter weather advisory … on April 15th!

Dave and I decided to take advantage of this unique opportunity and get outside for a walk 🙂 Seriously, how many more April 15th’s during a pandemic quarantine will it be snowing?!

As we walked, I saw the cutest little set of bird footprints in the snow.

Those footprints got me thinking back to when I was very young in my faith. I used to think my faith walk would be a linear process, without waivering to the left or to the right. As a teen, I decided that all I needed to do was try my very best to stay focused on God, and life would be easy. WOW, was I wrong! I clearly lacked the spiritual maturity to understand that anything done in my own strength would never last.

In reality, my faith walk at 45 years old looks much more like the picture below! Each day I surrender my path to the Lord. I start in His strength and I heed His guidance and voice. However, it doesn’t take long for me to get distracted! Daily I am shocked at how challenging it can be to stay focused on the “straight and narrow” (the Lord) with so many distractions surrounding us.

Today’s snow day was a welcomed break from the monotony of quarantine life, yet it wasn’t a distraction from the Lord. Quite the opposite actually. We decided to take it easy today, release the to-do list and just be a family. Cookies were made, multiple games were played, and we are getting ready for family movie night. God allowed a rare, snow filled walk in April to help keep me focused on an attribute of Himself, to love my family well.

Today was a win in my book. I hope you had some fun today too!

God Speaks Amidst the Trees

April 3, 2020 (Corona Quarantine)

Dave and I went walking at the Dunes this week, and we left the trail so refreshed! Not only because we got lots of fresh air, but because God’s handiwork was evident at every turn.

Despite the brown landscape with life still waiting to emerge, I could still see many real-life lessons. I took pictures each time I could see God working. I hope you can see too!

Trail Partner

It really does matter who you choose to walk this life with, so choose well. This guy right here is the love of my life. I knew he was “the one” from the moment I first laid eyes on him, spring of 1994 at Loyola. He guides me well. He’s consistently strong and he loves me unconditionally. He keeps me from harm’s way, often times my own selfish desires, and helps me to recognize when I am off the straight and narrow.

Neon Signs

Sometimes God grants us the mercy of revealing the obvious path we should take. It’s not very often for me, but sometimes there’s that “neon sign” in my life to show me which trail to take, and I am SO grateful when He does this for me!

Knots

Do you ever feel a knot in your stomach that just won’t go away? When God tells me to pause, it’s usually in the form of a knot in my stomach… it causes me to wait and pray, to pursue His will, not my own. It’s a feeling of un-rest, the opposite of peace.

Power Source

Along the road part of the trail, I saw this power tower. Clearly, someone had to bring in an outside power source in order to supply the necessary power to the area. As Christians, we don’t need an external source of power. God’s supernatural power and strength are available to us at any time!  The power of the Holy Spirit lives within us – at all times, praise God!

Holes in our Soul

There are times when I sense something eating at my soul. It could be a lie I choose to believe, bitterness that won’t let go, or perhaps my own selfish desires. These little holes are just large enough to cause me to lose my way and fall far from the Lord.  

Resting Place

Don’t you just love those times in life when God calls you to rest? This simple bench reminded me of those times. When I take the time to rest and be still, really still, I can hear God speaking to me.

Cut Down

Ever feel exposed and vulnerable? This huge tree was cut down to its base, exposed for the world to see what it’s really made of. I’m learning to lean into that kind of vulnerability. As uncomfortable as it can be sometimes, it really forces me to trust God at a very deep level.

Unexpected Encouragement

These creative trail markings were an encouragement to me! Sometimes when I feel discouraged, God sends encouragement … an email, a card in the mail, a text that comes at just the right time.

Trail Closed

I don’t know about you, but there are times when I just need God to say GO THE OTHER WAY! If only there was a nice explanation like this sign 🙂

Growth At Last

Regardless of what we experience on the trail of life, when we walk with the Lord, growth is always happening! Although some seasons of life may appear lifeless and dull on the outside, tender, new growth awaits each and every one of us.

Carry on my friend… the walk is worth it.

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Fall has officially arrived and is standing at full attention! Pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, sunflower, mums … they’re all here! I may or may not have a special place in my heart for mums. See photos above, that’s my front porch and one HUGE mum I came across recently!

Chyrsanthemums (mums) are one of the most popular flowers in the world, next only to the rose. This fact is surprising, did you know that mums are actually tropical flowers? Yeah, me either! The colors options vary from purple, lavender, pink, burgundy, bronze, white and red. They symbolize happiness, joy, love or grief depending on the color and the culture in which they are given.

Mums bloom in various forms and can be daisy-like, decorative, pompons or buttons. I’m pretty sure I love them all. Mums are called composites, meaning that their flower heads are made up on tiny, individual flowers. 

As I continue to find more parallels between flowers and faith, it’s neat to recognize that we too are quite similar to these notorious fallcomposites…we as Christians are under the headship of our God, just as those tiny individual flowers make up the flower head of the plant.

 And, just as mums bloom in various forms like daisies, pompons or buttons, we too as Christians bloom with our abundance of unique gifts and talents. Some of us bloom with flashier, center-staged gifts, like singing, teaching or preaching. While some people bloom with more quiet, behind the scene gifts such as administration, prayer, or discernment. No one talent or gift is more important than the other, yet they are all imperative as we work together under God and to glorify God.  Here are few of my favorite verses that portray this very concept.

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its’ various forms.

1 Corinthians 12:5-6 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

I have so much fun finding and arranging fall mums in pots and caring for them during their short bloom season. I absolutely love the burst of color on my porch as I walk into my home! However, as much as I enjoy these fall gems, their blooms are so very temporary. How much wiser to care for and tend to our unique, God given gifts (blooms) so as to carry out the work of the Lord.

I have been called to love and encourage others through speaking, writing and leadership. This very blog is me practicing a writing gift God has granted me. It may not be an award winning gift, but God has called me to use it and so I am. I am grateful that you are a part of it and I genuinely hope and pray that you too are practicing your gifts. The world is a better place when you are doing the thing (s) you are called to do. Your talents are a gift from God, what you choose to do with them is a gift back to Him. Let’s get to it!

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Morning Glories are so eager to go about their purpose, they don’t even wait for the morning sun to give permission!

Consider something … wouldn’t it be amazing if we too could be so confident in our life’s purpose that each and every morning we went about our business of blooming right where God planted us, no excuses?

These quick climbing beauties, commonly known as Morning Glories, have acquired their name for a few notable reasons; they bloom once per day, for only a few short hours, and their bloom time takes place before the sun is even awake. They have a biological clock so powerful that once it is set by nature’s day and night cycle, Morning Glory plants will open their flowers on cue even in the darkest of places. Botanists refer to this combination of light and temperature signals as The Pre-Dawn Phenomenon.

Picture how your life might look if you placed your excuses at the cross, if the fear of judgement didn’t creep in and consume you. What if we finally starting living the life we were created to live… bringing Glory to God with the unique gifts and talents he has given us? Imagine the possibilities!

What would it take for you to get on with God’s purpose for this season of life? Is there something holding you back? Becoming confident in God’s purpose for the next chapter of my life has taken root deep in my soul and I hope it will take root for you as well.

Personally, I am done waiting for the perfect time. I’m done waiting until it “feels” right, done waiting for validation. Now is the time to be holding firm to God’s promises for my life, so I can discover his purpose for this next chapter of life.

As we start the process of purpose discovery, I have great news! God promises to supply us with all that we need to accomplish the very thing He has called us to do.  If you are anything like me, perhaps there’s been a time when you believed the lie that God would not be enough. If this is you, I strongly urge you to reconsider. Pray and ask God to speak directly to your heart and your mind, to reveal his provision promises as only His word can. Let’s start by doing exactly that – spending time in the word, God’s word – the rich, fertile soil where seeds planted can produce healthy, robust blooms, a life honoring to our Lord. 

There are over 160 references in the Bible explaining how God provides for us. Let God’s word soak down so deep, that like those Morning Glories, even the darkest dawn can’t hold back your bloom.  

A few promises to get you started:

The Bible says: 

God will meet our every need according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)

He is all knowing and all powerful (Jeremiah 42:11)

He is our shelter, refuge and hiding place (Psalm 91), 

He is our comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3)

He is our rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

He is the source of wisdom (James 1:5)

May God bless you as you seek His promises for your life. I look forward to learning right alongside you. Let’s do this together. After all, a single flower is beautiful, but a bouquet of blooms (many of us) can have a profound impact on the lives of those it touches.  

God brings millions of flowers to bloom without force

Wayne. W. Dyer

I simply adore flowers.

I enjoy their vast colors, scents, unique growing patterns, and their innate ability to adapt and grow in the most unpredictable of places. Nurturing flowers from their seedling stage to planting on Mother’s Day weekend has been a treasured event for decades.

My flower admiration has increased a great deal over the years. After much gardening, gazing and reflection, I have learned that a flower’s life has many parallels to our spiritual lives. This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise considering God is the master gardener. However, the striking similarity between our spiritual requirement for a healthy life and a flower’s requirement for a healthy life warrants some discussion. I am eager to lend my voice to the life lessons buried deep within these beauties!

Join me as we journey through the powerful insights that these delicate creations have to offer.