Causing your garden to flourish. (James 3 aside)

   to leave the garden . . .you know, using it to look into our own hearts, but in the night, two thoughts occurred to me.

Gardens must get regular ‘spring’ cleanings—when vines are trimmed back, perhaps neatly tied in place again … when old leaves and dead material are cleared away from beneath sweet rosebushes, so that new growth can get sunshine and fresh air … so that little buds can flourish without being affected by decay. 

         “Spring cleaning” in my heart might say to the Master Gardener, “Search me, O God, and see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting,” permitting God to identify what might need to be cleared away—things like sloppy language, selfish ways, proud thoughts, and habits that are not beneficial.   And then perhaps I have grown lax, and should be certain of good and godly disciplines, just like tying up a vine, making it strong.  Hmmm, I know I am a better woman when I have coffee with Jesus every morning—in the Word and in prayer…perhaps I need to make sure I get in bed at a reasonable time so that I can make my wake-up call the next morning.  And, what is the last verse I committed to memory?  I should tuck another away . . . training my mind on good and right things.  Here’s one to commit to your remembrance – Will you take the challenge to memorize it?  “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”*   Those are a couple things that ready the garden of my heart for new growth.

Okay, one last thought, before this foray into the garden comes to a close – feed your blueberries, blackberries and flowers with a good fertilizer … sure, water, fresh air, sunlight and reasonable soil will grow them, but a few vitamins will cause them to flourish!

Springtime is at the front door of your heart, Christian.  I pray that you sense God’s great love for you, because then you will want to grow that love.  You ask if there is anything you can do . . . well, besides the two things above – clearing away debris, and securing your moorings.  Yes, there are other things that will cause your life to flourish.   Make sure you do not miss the opportunity to worship God with his people at least once during the week, keeping the Sabbath.  And find an intimate community of believers that you can join—one in which you can participate and share love, faith in God, understanding, tears, questions, struggles, joy, trials, and this thing we call life.   

Explore personal, creative ways to express your worship ~ sing, dance, paint, lift your face to the night sky, and thank God for the constellation you can see just with your naked eye—can you imagine what is beyond, with the assistance of a looking glass?  Take in all of nature, for it tells of the Creator daily.  Have I mentioned the delight of birds, who never sing out of key?  Plant some flowers, or vegetables, and work with God in growing to nourish and grow them . . .

Oh, and I profit so much from listening to uplifting music – like this ~ notice the message of these words—Audience of One**  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gde7isWvoAE&feature=related

Let’s Flourish,

Christine