A Father's Love

Ever since I was a little girl I've loved flowers. Maybe this love stems from the love I have for my dad. There's a special place in a girl's heart for her father. In my father's heart there's a special place for me ~ and his gardens. So there is in mine as well. Quite a bit of our time talking and spending time together's been in a garden.

When I was a child our relationship was so easy and carefree. I'd ramble on, speaking about whatever popped into my head. He'd mostly just listen; putting in his two cents here & there. Years passed, and our once close relationship grew distant. Instead of hanging out with him, I was spending time at the mall with friends, or going out somewhere fun. I missed our time together, but in my teenage years we drifted further and further apart.

Those years gave way to young adulthood, and life got busy in a hurry. I was attending college, making plans to be married, then planning for a baby. As I settled into my new home with my new family, I felt a nudge to be outdoors again. I remembered some things about gardening from when I was younger, but I needed help. I needed Dad's advice. His encouragement. So began the path of drawing closer to my father through (so many) questions.   

Happy to say I can again talk with my dad about whatever pops into my head. He gives straightforward advice, and his "two cents" have been invaluable. He's helped guide me through many challenges. A true example of The Father in my everyday existence. Going to Sunday school, singing 'Jesus Loves Me,' there was never a doubt in my mind. I loved Him and He loved me. No matter what I've done, or will do, I'm forgiven and unconditionally loved.

For God so loved the world, that He gave

His only Son, that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have eternal life.

- John 3:16

There's a special place in a girl's heart for her Father... and a special place in His for me.

A Pan of Unfortunate Brownies

I have two young children, and was asked to bake either pies or brownies for our church's Baked Steak Supper. All I could think of in that moment were my children digging into 4 pies when I wasn't looking. So decided to make brownies.  

One pan of chocolate brownies
could be easily managed... 

As it turns out, there are 2 nice-sized holes on one side of my brownie pan, where each child took their sample. Seeing this, anger immediately boiled up inside. "I needed those for today!" I said - then stopped to think. Always a good idea.

Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
 
~ Proverbs 19:11 ~

How silly to get so upset over a pan of brownies.  Anger is a healthy emotion and needs to be expressed, but not at the expense of my children. So, I apologized to them, and we cleaned up the crumbs together. They looked up at me like two sad little puppies and said, "We're sorry, mom." After hugs and a few kisses they both jumped up to play, as if nothing ever happened.

Be kind to one another, tender

hearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.
 
~ Ephesians 4:32 ~

I'm thankful for life's little lessons, whether they be learned through a time out, a meaningful verse. Or even a pan of unfortunate brownies.

Season of New Beginnings

For everything there is a season, and

a time for every matter under heaven...

  

- Ecclesiastes 3:1

Season of renewed hope and strength. Spring. That time of year when we exchange winter coats for rain jackets. Every day the landscape grows a little greener. This is a season of new beginnings.

I like to take walks around the flowerbeds every day or two. It's still too cold to clear away last year's leaf clutter. No pressing outside work to be done.

Small changes quickly add up. Buds swell on trees and bushes; tips of leaves shoot up unexpectedly and unfurl.

The garden is not the only place changing. On warmer days, windows and doors are cleaned and opened to 'air out the house.' Winter coats and accessories are stored away, save a few, just in case.

In this season of 'out with the old, in with the new,' I pray to be refined as one refines silver and tested as gold is tested (Zechariah 13:9).  There's always opportunity for a fresh start, whether it be in your garden, your home, or in your heart. 

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not

for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 

- Jeremiah 29:11