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The act of writing, of sharing the circumstances, the gifts and the graces planned and carried out by my Savior and God brings joy, peace, and contentment to know that He has my life in His hands. My prayer for those who read, who share in what I continue to learn each day, many times through my weakness, is that you will be encouraged to look for God's presence and grace in your life also.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Lessons from a flower


2012—365 days coming to do, to work, to plan, to live, but praise the Lord I only have to be concerned with today, now. I only need to be aware of where my focus is now.

 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."     Matthew 6:34  

A first time flower in the 2011 garden was an hibiscus that taught much:
—it must be watered EVERY day
—needs to be fed often
—the blooms only last one day
—aphids drink the life out of green and blooms
—the flower is stunningly beautiful
—it speaks: "Take my picture!" 100's of times 
—the flower is used in teas to add color and flavor Red Zinger Tea

And so I brought the hibiscus in when frost came and wonder of wonders, it has continued to bloom—one flower a day as long as it is fed, watered and "de-bugged," and it continues to speak so more pictures.
AND the flowers are beautiful:

 "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin." Matthew 6:27-28

Funny how certain moments in the past are vividly remembered.

Over 30 years ago Sharon (my dear friend) and I sat in the kitchen (yellow sunniness) talking about the hard life changes since Larry's head injury.  She understood a lot—being a neurological nurse in Chicago while her husband went through seminary.  She had seen the worst and the bad and the better.  She knew life would never be the same for us but she knew God—and He knows us.

So what I heard her say was, "Darnly, you only have to get through today.  Larry will get better, he really will.  In 10 or 20 years or even 30, you will know how much better, but now all you have to be concerned with is today."

And so today......approaching yet another year—2012,  I still only need to live in the now.  There are plans for the Week, the Month, and a few for the Year but they are always followed by "...if the Lord wills, we will......"  

You see, I won't get it all done.....the lists......the to do's......it won't be perfect or even pretty at times. I will fall short of expectations (mine and others).

but IF my eyes are looking
      If my ears are listening
      If my heart is willing
      If my hands are open
             THEN
      My mouth will move to "Thank YOU!"
      My feet will walk toward "I will"
      My hands will be lifted in praise
      My heart will be open to HIS WORD
and I will be full, WATERED and FED
and there will be a blooming every day for Him to see in His garden,
maybe more than one.

               

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Matthew 6:26

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

Happy New Year!!!!!! (one day at a time)

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for this. Beautiful flowers and much needed reminders.

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  2. Thanks, Ruth. Good to know others are reading and even if not, I needed the reminders. Plus I have all these pictures I love to share. God is good.

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  3. What a perfect way to approach the new year. Thank you, Darnly. You continue to touch my life.

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  4. I don't know flowers very well, but this one, this beautiful hibiscus, it seems like a one day at a time kind of flower, taking in what it needs each day, and nourishing others each day. I heart your friend's advice it sounds like Jesus – tomorrow has enough worries of its own – today – get through today. And you remind me that this lifetime we have is just today, followed by today, followed by today, until today's run out and are replaced by eternity. I am – we are – so fortunate to have been found by the ETERNAL ONE. To have the comfort that comes with knowing that our today's will never run out, and that what is broken will be eternally fixed, that's the joy that I don't know how the world gets by without knowing, knowing how much I rely on it, how much I believe it – Lord help my unbelief. Thank you for this reminder, and God bless you,and all of yours Darnly.

    PS I know that you must have a post about your name – and if you don't you should – and if you do – give me the link please :-)

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  5. Craig, thank you for your comments. Yes, indeed, the hibiscus is a one day at a time flower. Lots of lessons to be learned in a garden....

    No, I have not written a blog about my name yet but I will soon. It is an interesting story since there are so few of us in the world.
    Thanks again for commenting.

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