Whoo-hoo!
Spring has sprung here in the Capital Region of NYS!
Today, the town that I live in had a high temp of 62 degrees! It hasn't been this warm since the beginning of November. I am loving it!
After leaving work at 12:30, I headed to Target to do an errand and then home for a quick lunch, change, and do housework. Part of my housework today included getting outdoors and cleaning up the front flower bed. Look at what I discovered while gently removing old mulch. MORE crocus plants coming up!
I thought the rabbit had taken all my crocus bulbs from this bed so I was thankful that there were 4 of these left. I have more near our cherry tree and many more tulips than I originally thought. I am thankful for this blessing and surprise from the Creator!
I love how my blogging buddy encouraged me today on Facebook: Connie Marie from Alaska said the plants coming back remind her of God's faithfulness.....it is always there.....so...a huge "THANK YOU" to Connie Marie for that word today....she blesses me...I love her humor and her love for her God and Savior! I hope I meet her someday before we get to heaven!!
While I was digging out the "yuck" from the flower bed, I was reminded by the Spirit of how gently He cleans out our "yuck"....He cleans us out so we can grow.....we will be known by our fruit.....
I like how my thoughts turned towards my Moms in Touch meeting which will take place on Friday afternoon. The attribute I chose for this month is "God is our Confidence". We can be confident in the One who provides that Confidence we need! I have had to wait patiently this winter for the Lord to do a work in my heart regarding a past situation that left me feeling a bit "bruised". I could turn the problem into a "victim mentality" thing or I can choose to say I am a survivor and continue to have the confidence to move forward. I choose the latter. I have also learned that women might say they want to be friends and share the deep things or the "secret things" but then when ugliness rears its head as is often the case when someone is being healed of a spiritual battle, the "friend" is no longer really there.....or things happened where accusations have flown and misunderstandings about those accusations have occurred and although both parties say forgiveness has taken place, that really isn't the case because.......the fruit of forgiveness is not there.
I have been recently hurt by someone who told me she would be there for me. She knows some deep, secret things about me, and although I kept asking if she really wanted to be friends and hear all the "yuck", that has proven to not be the case. And so I feel a bit rejected because if I had known the friendship wasn't going to last, or that total restoration wasn't going to occur after mistakes were made and forgiveness was asked, then I never would have opened up my hurts and my heart.
~~sigh~...my husband says to think of it as a learning experience. My fear is that I might get bitter about getting close to anyone again....yet...I know God doesn't want that for me. He is in the restoration business. So....friends of mine who have the gift of counseling have told me to give this person time. And to keep showing kindness, love, compassion, and to keep praying for her and for the restoration to occur. Sometimes we make mistakes.....we end up hurting people we really didn't mean to hurt. And if they don't have the patience or desire to hear our side of things....to really listen, there is not much we can do!
BUT...we can have the confidence that God knows the situation and that He desires unity in the body of Christ. Good fruit will eventually ripen.....growth may need to take place first and some pruning! I know that is how it has been for me personally. For that kind of growth and discipline, I am very thankful!
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit......As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15: 2, 4b)
I have let the whole thing go. To me, it's over. I figure the Lord knows the Truth and I have the confidence to stay in His Presence and allow my emotions to be healed.......I want to display good fruit. yet...I am sad that a friendship is possibly ruined by these misunderstandings.......
anyways...these are the things I was thinking on today while out in the sunshine enjoying nature and the Creator! I realized that by opening up my heart to someone I trusted was a risk...yet...I am not sorry I had that time. I am sorry we seem to no longer be friends or whatever.....I know that God has shown me many things about friendship and it does take trust and understanding on both people's part....deep friendships are risky. All I know is now I am going to be extra careful AND I am still going to be my self and ask God to restore this relationship.. He wants unity in the body of Christ. That much I know for sure. And my pastor has confirmed it and he is someone I highly trust!
So...many lessons learned!
How about you?
What are you learning as spring arrives and the Lord shows us new things?
3 comments:
You sound so much cheerier! Hooray for warmer weather and a warmer heart!!!
Enjoy the spring in NYS. We're enjoying ours too. Love crocus... so perky.
I miss Connie Marie from Ak in blogdom. Do you? She's a keeper. :~D
As I'm typing it is one degree below freezing here today. We've got a bit of a cool spell coming upon us.
As I was reading your post, I was thinking about that wonderful comment your friend had about God's faithfulness. What a blessing that even when we can't see Him He is still there. I needed that.
I was also thinking while reading about the things about fruit growing. And how after the yuck is cleared away like you said, there is still time and tending needed before the fruit actually shows itself. I am such an impatient type of person and I want the fruit right now, but there is watering and nourishing and sunshine needed before that fruit pops out. But the fruit does come if the plant is tended to.
Great thoughts for this spring day, Faith. I'll be "chewing" on this throughout the day.
Hi E-mom: yes, a cheerful heart is good medicine :) that, and trusting in the One who brings confidence and the One who wants restoration in our relationships.....ALL of our relationships.....I am just trying to be patient now :)
Susanne: so glad I could be an encouragement to you with this post! I am praying you have a fantastic week with your oldest girl :)
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