Replant and Flourish

Today was a really nice day for me. The weather was fantastic, and my friend Amy gave me a birthday present. She had promised me some quality time and planting some herbs. Over the years I have desired to become more of a green thumb. I'm green alright but more in my lack of knowledge then ability. =) We headed to the store to purchase pots, seeds and soil. I had also bought some pots in order to re-pot some plants I received when dad passed. It had been really nice to received plants instead of flowers because flowers just usually die. (I also received a lovely potted flower from my friends the Drent's for my birthday so I replanted that too.)

I had some plants that seemed to be doing really nicely and some that were dying. I was watering them all on the same days and about the same amount. I realized that some of them had dry soil, some moist and one was totally soaked. I learned tonight a great deal about the importance of proper pots, drainage and the best spots to receive sunlight. I think my mother-in-law would be proud. =) There were some things Amy was unsure about but I have taken pictures and she recommended that I take them to the local greenhouse and ask what is the best way to tend to them.



Tonight I have been thinking about my life and thinking about a title we once had at a mother-daughter banquet - "Grow where you're planted." I was struggling to accept this place God had planted me. I was fighting it and just wanted things to go back to the way they were. I now see God has "replanted" and pruned me so that I might flourish and grow to be even lovelier and fuller then before. We, like plants, need to be fed, well drained (I'm thinking about my emotions and how I need to be able to release them and accept them), pruned and replanted in order to be all that God has intended for us to be.

I Corinthians 7:17-24

17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 20Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.

21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.

22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.

23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

We need to see that our current place in life or our circumstances are where God has planted us. He custom made my yoke and helps me to carry it.

Two of my favorite quotes from Linda Dillow are "Contentment is a state of the heart not a state of affairs" and "Soul Sufficiency is a peace separate from our circumstances." I miss dad dearly and I'm going to grieve, God created us to grieve, but this shouldn't determine my heart and steal my joy. I have confidence that God is there, that He sustains me and through that I have joy and peace regardless of my circumstances. This is a peace and joy that the world can not understand. I pray that others will see this in me so that I may be a light to the world and others will come to know Christ's love.

Tonight Amy and I replanted, pruned, watered and placed them all in special places. Now I have many lovely plants that I am praying will flourish and grow to be beautiful. This truly was one of the best days I have had in months. Thank you Amy!