Hello Again!

Hello old friend!
I have missed you greatly. I felt a little lost without you there for a bit, but God showed me that sometimes we have to grow through some things in order to get to the next level. Recently, though, I've been feeling the itch. I've had a few word plays come to mind that make me think you are back and we are ready to do this again. I am so very excited to see what comes next.
What have I been up to, you ask? Well, I worked part time as a florist for a bit. I had hoped that that meant I was done with this chronic illness business, but alas, I was wrong. I went down again and really struggled with finding my worth. Then we moved, which has been awesome, but came with its own set of new struggles and discoveries. My health has continued to be a roller coaster ride. We've had some really great highs and some scary lows. But through it all, we've come to truly see and understand who we are in Christ, and more importantly, who He is.
We also got not one, not two, but three new pups! We had no idea the joy and chaos they would bring. God has taught me so much through them! Then, the kids are all preteens or young teens now. That's been fun, hahaha. Oh the hormonal rages and tears and angst that come along with that age range! Not to mention, all the fun things we have to talk about, including gender, dating, active shooter scenarios, and many other hard things. Ben and I just celebrated sixteen years together. Through our journey, we've come to really love and trust each other, no matter what life throws at us. We've learned it's never going to be 'easy', but if we talk it out and turn to God, it will always be okay.
I look forward to sharing some of these adventures and lessons with you, old friend. I also can't wait to see what God leads us through with this renewal of words. It will be wonderful, come what may!
Until next time, stay strong, be courageous, and trust that He's got you, no matter what!

That Place in the Woods

In that place in the woods,

As the sun

beams upon my face,

I sit in awe at the music

You create.

While the birds in the trees

Are twittering, chittering,

Chatting about their day,

Tap-tap-tapping away..

The breeze dances through the trees,

Scattering the leaves

And whispering to me

The lovely secrets it keeps.

Laughter and love quietly shout

To remind me what it's always about.

The peaceful existence fills my soul

And prepares my heart for battles untold..

I sit back and watch,

as the birds flitter by,

Knowing that soon,

I'll have to say goodbye.

To return to a land

that's lost sight of it all,

And take up my sword

And remind them to pause...

To remember the Savior,

Who died for us all,

And the God who loves us,

Sin and all.

the Gardener

I love when God teaches me a lesson using things in my daily life. This morning, as I was tending to my plants, the comparisons between the work at hand and how He cares for us struck me.

When I am in constant care of my plants, and they are receiving the water and food and pruning they need, they grow and flourish. Some need bright, direct light, while others need a gentle diffused light. Some do better separated from the crowd, yet still close enough to interact with one another. Others love to be in a group, allowing the water to flow from one another and their leaves to become intertwined. Sometimes I have to prune one hard in order to help it grow. Some need a gentle hand, while others need a firmer one. When one is sick or struggling to live, I have to give them extra attention. Sometimes I lose one, and I am very, very sad.

As God cares for us, He knows what we need before we even need it. When we are connected to Him, we grow and flourish. He sent us living water in the form of Jesus, and food for our souls in the form of the Bible, to ensure that growth. He shines a light for us all to reflect, but gives the perfect amount of light for each of us to flourish. He brings people into our lives because we need each other. When we are all connected together, and our arms are intertwined with His, that living water flows from one to the next in the form of grace and mercy. He also prunes us when we need to grow, and while oftentimes it hurts, it is so good for our growth. Then there are those that He loses. If you think they don't break His heart, then you would be wrong. He fights for us all, and gives each of us every opportunity to turn to Him.

He knows what we often don't want to admit: we all need the Gardener. My plants won't live if I turn away. Neither will we, if we turn from Him.

But for those whose roots are firmly enmeshed in His foundation? We will grow.

P.S. I'm so glad to be writing again!