Message of the Flower

I found a little flower outside today in our garden, at the end of November! It had overcome the snow, the frost, and was still alive and blooming in the midst of all that was going on around it!

As I look at that flower, it teaches me alot.

* It teaches me that no matter the storms that are going on around me, I can choose to "bloom".

* It teaches me that if God can take care of a simple flower in the snow and frost, how much more will He take care of me?

* It teaches me that God will give me strength to grow, even when things are working against me.

* It teaches me that with a positive attitude, I can do anything!

* It teaches me that miracles happen everyday, if we just pay attention!

* It teaches me that sometimes we have to fight for what we want, and the end result is worth it!
* It teaches me that life doesn't stop just because the weather of life changes.

* It teaches me that I need to LIVE LIFE, not just EXIST in this world.

* It teaches me that God is still in control, even when things around seem out of control.

* It teaches me that I need to stop and appreciate the little things, the simple things in life.

* It teaches me to have more HOPE & FAITH!

If you found a flower growing in the middle of the snow, cold or harsh climates, what would it teach you

Miss the Mark

I've been reading a very interesting, and funny book the past few days,called  'Evolving in Monkey Town' by Rachel Held Evans . I had never heard of her until I read her blog entry called "Blessed are the Uncool" which was posted on facebook for awhile, by many christian friends.  Her writing is funny, yet also honest, gutsy, and real...

In her book, she writes something, one of the many things, that I thought was very interesting: "Strange now the fact that before I lost my first tooth, or learned to ride a bike, or graduated from kindergarden, I committed my life to a man who asked his followers to love their enemies, give without expecting anything in return, and to face public exectuation if neccessary.  It is perhaps an unfair thing to ask of a child, but few who decide to follow Jesus know from the beginning what they're getting themselves into." 

How true a statement that is!  Did any of us really consider such things before accepting Christ?  But more importantly how good are we as Christians at doing these things now?  What would you do if you were called to litterally give your life for Him?  Would we have the reaction of Stephen in Acts 7, praying for those that were stoning him?  Are we good at loving those who persecute us, or people who tease us because of our faith? Are we joyful, even when bad things happen? Are we able to forgive those who hurt us?  Are we able to give up what WE want, our earthly desires, for what HE wants? 

God knows that we are human, we have shortcomings, and although our intentions are good, or start out that way... sometimes, alot of times, if we're honest, we fall short, and miss the mark, of doing and being all that God wants us to be. But sometimes He uses those shortcomings to teach us to be better, to be stronger, to be wiser, to more loving, to be more gracious, to be more faithful...but we need to be open to Him, and be willing to be taught by the Master, the One who created us for His good, His purpose, and His plan.