Gardens
along the way...13 ...sunflowers...
Eleven
years ago, I was driving my parents north through the central California
valley. North of Sacramento, we were speeding by field upon field of
sunflowers, all facing the sun...finally, I said I have to get off the freeway
and take some pictures...so we did...
I
know I have written about this stop in the past...relating that these flowers
followed the sun through the day...soooooo, the fields of sunflowers were all
facing the same way...looking toward their light, warmth, their center...just
as we should be doing with the Son...Jesus...keeping our focus on Him...
Now
as I walk, I am seeing the gardens, not miles of fields, but sunflowers here
and there, different faces, different heights, different colors, newly planted,
older plantings, wild, planned, bird planted, human planted...a mixture....some
face the sun, while others look in other directions...not consistent...none the
same....
Does
this sound familiar? Maybe a little like mankind... it seems like
less and less are facing the Son...many looking in all different directions to
get their sustenance, their center, their light...
There is this one plant in particular that has no direction...it is all over the place, looking in a variety of ways...one central stem, but going many ways....
Now
this could be a picture of Christians. One source and a variety of
manifestations of giftings...but, it could be no central direction...fun to
contemplate...
This
one was not planted by the gardener, a surprise...a new uninvited guest in the
planter...oh well, we get surprises, new direction, new chapters in our
stories...so why not let it grow and feed the birds, who probably brought
it...God’s plan for that spot...
The
loner....this poor guy stood alone amongst the vines, the entanglements...proud
to show his colors,
Speaking
his piece against the crowd....
Look
at the colors, the brightness....we can enjoy the beauty, intricacies all the
while it is changing into a bounty, a feast for the birds...God who cares for
the birds, cares for us...of much more value...
How
fun it is to see God’s creation all around, the sunflowers, the variety....
This
year as I am kept closer to home, I am not seeing the glories of Israel, the tropics,
of monuments of historical reference...but have enjoyed the gardens
along the way, as I walk my miles, seeing yet again God’s provision, His
creativity...taking in His lessons for me...not grumbling about the
confinement, but trying to look on the bright side, the encouragement right
outside my back door...trying to be content in the lessons close at
hand....thank YOU...
I
will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the
praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm
7:17
I
will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
Psalm
118:21
Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be
evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in
every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians
4:4-7
Rejoice
always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s
will for you in Christ Jesus.
1
Thessalonians 5:16-18
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