Are Your Roots Planted?

By Pat

In the back portion on my mother's yard was a huge weeping willow tree. For many years, it stood beautifully, but eventually it became diseased and unhealthy. Parts of it began to die, and it became weakened. Finally, a few months ago, a storm with very gusty winds toppled the tree. It lay there for a couple of months until my mother found someone who wanted the wood and agreed to cut up and haul away the tree. But in that period of time between the falling and the hauling, we watched in amazement as portions of that seemingly dead tree sprouted new growth. Although the root ball was out of the ground, evidently the tiny amount of root still in the ground helped to bring life to parts of the tree. It reminded me so much of us humans

We sometimes are toppled, blown over by the strong winds of life, and we feel at times as if God has deserted us. We appear to ourselves and others spiritually dead. But we're not! As long as our roots are planted firmly and deeply in Jesus, we never have to fear the storms of life. Jesus will continue to be at work in us, and will allow our weaknesses to build new strength, new growth. We need only to cling to our Lord. After all, if He can raise the dead to life, He can certainly see us through our storms and make us stronger than ever!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Standing In Silence

By Pat

One of my favorite old hymns is called "In the Garden," and there is a line in it that I particularly love that says "He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing." When I think of that line, I can actually envision Jesus stepping into a clearing in a beautiful forest, and the birds stopping their songs, in awe of their Lord.

What a lovely and serene picture that is. Why can't I be more like those birds? Why do I allow the disruptions in my life to distract me from the silence I need to simply stand in silent, reverent awe of my Lord? Random thoughts enter my head. Background noises distract me and turn my attention away from God. Sometimes I just can't concentrate, even though I know that Jesus stands before me whether I can see Him or not. And so, I am learning, or at least trying to learn, to focus more fully on the Lord, and simply stop. Stop thinking, stop moving, stop singing. Just stop and be like the worshipful birds I have pictured in my head being still for Jesus. After all, God said "Be STILL and know that I am God!" (Psalm 46:10)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Go Ahead, Jump!

By Pat

We recently put a swimming pool up in our backyard, mostly for our little grandchildren. One day last week, my three year old grandson Gabe was jumping from the ladder while I caught him. Each time, he would yell "Catch me, Grammy!" and I, of course, would catch him, much to his delight. But as he went to jump one time, my hands were down in the water where he couldn't see them. No matter how many times I tried to convince him to jump and assure him that I would catch him, he refused to jump.

We resumed our game with my arms outstretched for a while, but I decided to try again to get Gabe to jump while my hands were out of his sight. Finally, he did, at which point it became a game of "Hide your hands, Grammy!" Gabe learned quickly that he could trust me to catch him, no matter what.

It made me think of my relationship with God, and I how sometimes refuse to make the moves I need to make, take the steps I need to take because of fear. No matter how many times God says "Trust me," I am still aftraid to jump because I can't always see his outstretched hands.

I wish I could be more like Gabe, refusing to allow fear to keep him from jumping. I wait to receive what I feel is just the right word from God, and in doing so miss many opportunities to serve Him. My comfort zone imprisons me. I need to try harder to jump, knowing that even if God's arms are hidden in the water, He'll catch me anyway.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

A Beautiful Symphony

By Pat

I've always known God is a music lover. If not, He wouldn't have endowed certain people with beautiful voices, or the ability to play a musical instrument or compose. When you add those talents together, you have a symphony orchestra. If used separately, a concert pianist. But any way you look at it, what a wonderful sound it is to hear lovely music, and how God must enjoy listening!

I have envisioned God listening to a stirring classical piece...sitting back, eyes closed, just relaxing, much as I do. But recently, I was struck by a sound that made me realize I could be wrong. I was kneeling at my little granddaughter's bed one night not long ago, helping her with her prayers, and as she repeated my words (and even remembered to add a person I didn't remind her about), I knew without a doubt that THIS was God's favorite music. Hearing His little ones stumble their way though a bedtime prayer, learning to end their day with thanks, must make God smile beautifully. And since we are all God's "little ones," I believe with all my heart that the sounds of our voices lifted to Him in prayer are, indeed, a beautiful symphony.

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Be Still and Rest!

By Pat

Boy, life sure can be tiring. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually tiring, even exhausting at times. so much to do, so little time. Responsibilities can take over our lives in no time at all. Add to that the burdens we bear for others. We worry about and pray for our friends, families and loved ones on a daily basis. (At least, we should!) This can add to the weighed-down feeling we already have from our own lives.

Jesus promised us rest."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). Well, here I am, Lord! Where's my rest? I still have just as much to do, and I still feel so heavy with burdens. Help me, Lord! Bless this one, bless that one, help me get done...These things I utter as I blow through my day, frantic to get everything finished.

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