I stepped out the front door and walked down the stairs, slightly relieved to be out of the house this morning, if only to water the flowers for a few minutes. It was a little thick inside. intense. and I needed air.
Right-y tight-y, lefty loos-ey… I had to remind myself how to get the water running from our new faucet at the front of the house. I forever have to remind myself of things I should already know… I pulled the hose out and began spraying. I’ve been waiting you know, for some flowers to bloom. Its life-learning : practicing patience, and I’m not doing too well. My dahlias have been keeping in a tightly packed, brightly colored secret for weeks now. You know how a watched pot never boils? Well, a watched bud never blossoms.
At any rate, as I sprayed, I reviewed the week and the coming weekend. The pressure was mounting on my heart and in my mind as I watered my knock-outs… they’ve already blossomed a lot. nothing new here… I’ve been trying to get my sweet girl better from her oral surgery so that I can go to Atlanta for an overnight trip to the Georgia Home School convention. And, frankly I’d like to take just a bit of peace of mind with me as I go… so I can think and plan for the coming year, so I can be refreshed by the time away… Is that too much to ask?
humanly speaking, maybe.
I kept spraying. And then, it happened – a faint tiny rainbow… light showers, combined with rays of sunshine thru the trees and there it was.
My breath caught in my chest, “Is that for me?”
and of course it was… because He’s always reminding me, thru His Word, thru His creation – He is a faithful, merciful, promise-keeping God. It began when He made a covenant with Noah, and with Abraham, and for generations following, He made promises – and He’s in the business of keeping them. all of them…
I moved down the yard to the bed where my blueberry bushes and my dahlias are… and I couldn’t help but feel tears well up… There, was a Dahlia bud, almost ready to crack open. But, it was very unique because of its size. It was humongous – and by that I mean it is the biggest, heartiest, soon-to-be blossom of a Dahlia I have ever seen, almost the size of a baseball. I am telling you the truth. And, here it was, glistening, soaking up the spray, in my bed.
Immediately, I was confronted by my own unbelief… The same God, who made covenant with Noah and Abraham, is the same God who causes the sun to rise, the earth to turn, the seasons to change, and all things to grow and bloom; He is the same God who has made promises to me:
promise for His presence and protection – from Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
promise for healing from Isaiah 53:5 : But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
promise for provision from Philippians 4:19 : And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
promise for peace from Isaiah 26:3 : You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
promise for wisdom – from Psalm 111:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Right there in my small flower garden, was His reminder that He intended to continue keeping His Word. With an early morning rainbow and a small plant, laid here, in this bed of dahlias, He was growing my faith. I knew I could take my quick over-night trip, with all of these promises tucked deeply into my heart once again, right where they should be.
Thank you Heavenly Father for your mercies that are new and fresh every day and for bringing me face to face with them in ways I never imagined. You are an amazing, creative and loving God. amen.
daily portion 