Beauty in the midst~

I know we just celebrated Resurrection Sunday, but I’ve been feeling heart-heavy for the last few weeks. This is not due to any one thing in particular, but rather a culmination of many things that were getting to me and making me feel a bit down. God is so sweet to remind me of His goodness! On Monday, I went outside where the temperatures had temporarily warmed up to a balmy 40 degrees. At first all my eyes focused on was the dead, brown plants that the snow had covered up beautifully to this point. Not that I’m not ready for the snow to be gone, but I do appreciate how it hides the mess. :) I looked at the saggy, heavy, ugly, waterlogged leaves and thought how I could relate to them. But as I studied the mounds of perennials, my gaze settled on something tiny -- one green, beautiful, brave shoot popping up in the midst of the pile. New life! I walked around our yard and took a closer look at all of our flower beds to find things -- wonderful things -- had been happening beneath the surface! A fist full of daffodils spouts next to the steps, four courageous, amazing purple crocuses outside a bedroom window, and a few lily sprouts popping through the rock crevices. Beauty in the midst of death. It was as if God was asking me what I was going to focus on -- the brown, dead leaves He needs to cut and prune in my heart (Such as situations consuming my mind and not bring me health or life, an unwise choice made and learned from, concerns that like a weed were quickly growing bigger than my trust… all dead leaves.) Or will I choose to focus on the new life that will have room to grow and sprout as I surrender to His wise, tender, capable gardening hands? That’s what I desire -- a heart that seeks Life and will shine for Him in whatever beautiful way He chooses.

So, I figuratively ask you, what shape is your garden in? Do you see shoots of green popping up? If not, take heart -- things are happening underground that you can’t yet see. How do I know? Because even in the midst or hard times, times that may seem so barren, even then God is with us and where He is, death can not overcome. That’s the story of Easter and the wonderful reminder He gave to me.

*Please share your thoughts below~

Okay, so I’m bumping out of contemplative mode, yet still thinking of Spring, I’d like to highlight a short story PARADOX. That’s full of flowers! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612529038

Lilly Holland's passion is flowers -- not people. All she has ever dreamed of is a peaceful life surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. The exact opposite of what life is like at the touristy Holland Lodge in the small town of Paradox. So, why does she feel like God is nudging her to go? He, if anyone, should know better than ask this of her.

Ric Walker, Holland Lodge's groundskeeper, is Lilly's only link to sanity. His steady presence and strong faith encourages her through this trying situation. That sanity is threatened as she realizes her feelings for him are changing into something more, something deeper.

Will Lilly learn that Paradox is more than a town's name, but rather a divine place where God can reveal His power, bring healing, and love? Just when she thinks all hope is gone?

#spring #paradox #newlife