This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Thu Jul 4 3:21:19 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Christian Perspectives – joy in the garden --------------------------------------------------- In June 2014 we moved into a house on three acres of property so had no idea what would be greeting us this spring once the snow and cold relinquished their grip. The warmth has coaxed forth bountiful displays of new life, each bringing to my heart joy and excitement for living, even when the new growth has been a weed such as the prolific dandelions! Seeing our gardens reminds me the joy of the Lord is my strength. Is your joy level based on “seeing is believing?” God´s plan for us is “believing is seeing!” When we believe first, we are be able to see Him in our life and in the world. Each day I purposely look to see God's handiwork in what I call “joy blooms” in our garden, and I often find little truths to ponder. The earliest sighting of joy blooms in our garden came when I unexpectedly spotted scores of small, delicate white flowers with pale blue stripes. What a lovely surprise. I thought, “Why not surprise someone today with an act of kindness or pleasant words?” My chosen sister, Janice, informed me they are called puschkinia. Each year the puschkinia will remind me of Janice. Who do particular flowers draw to your mind? A few days later crocuses appeared in clumps, but one purple beauty was blooming courageously all by its little lonesome under a bush. I had to pull away the dense branches to get a picture of it. Remember, you can always see beauty if you look for it, and no matter where you find yourself planted in life, you can always bring beauty to others. We had returned home after three days away and found delightful tiny blue flowers blooming profusely in one area. Upon inspection, each blossom was exquisitely formed and even though it was tiny and might be easily overlooked when standing alone, the “group effort” was amazingly spectacular, springing up as a chorus of joy through the dormant grass from last year. In rapid succession came the joyful bunches of daffodils, narcissus, tulips, grape hyacinth, marjoram and cat nip. One lone tulip seemed to be standing vigil beside a small, struggling peony bush, as if it was encouraging the peony to come forth. You just never know whom you will help along the way! With whom are you standing? Several groups of jonquils grew along the fence line in very odd spots, apparently buried by industrious squirrels. I was reminded that each delightful flower, peony, hosta and even rhubarb plant had appeared to be buried, seemingly overcome by mountains of snow, just as sometimes we believe we are buried under the trials of life. No matter what happens to you, you are never really buried. You have been planted and will rise again even when your surroundings and circumstances may appear to be a mess, as if you might have been dumped there by the squirrels! Just as the bulbs and roots of perennials multiply and grow stronger while under the snow, so too will you become even stronger and more beautiful as a person if you allow God to work out for your good all things that happen to you. As if a reminder of that truth, the forget-me-nots are currently covering a very large area of our property. Breathtakingly beautiful. Forget not God's love. What truth, or who, is God reminding you of now, in this moment? God loves to give us our heart's desires. Trilliums! Right there, growing under our pines! They are one of my favourite woodland flowers and I have always desired to have some growing where I can easily enjoy their beauty. A few weeks back I spotted delicate tiny yellow flowers in a wooded area while visiting a cemetery with a friend. I thought how lovely it would be to have some in our yard. Well, there they are – growing under the pine trees along our property line! I am so blessed! God has given us so many surprises at this new location we now call home. The promise in Psalm 37:4 comes to mind: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Amen! We can get so caught up in the negatives in life, but what has brought unexpected pleasure and joy to you? Perhaps the flowers shouting out “Joy to the world and to your heart”? Look for and thank God for joy today and everyday! Maxine McLellan, Co-Pastor of Grace Church of the Nazarene in Shelburne --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2015-06-04 09:16:40 Post date GMT: 2015-06-04 13:16:40 Post modified date: 2015-06-11 09:32:13 Post modified date GMT: 2015-06-11 13:32:13 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com