About three years ago, I had this beautiful space in my backyard. My flower garden. I loved working in it preparing for spring and summer. After years of plantings and working to get it to grow, I could relax and enjoy sitting peacefully nearby, watching birds and squirrels, smelling the honeysuckle. Just an awesome place to enjoy. Humble but nice.
Then we learned that the water pipe buried below my garden had burst and cameras detected that a new water line would have to be put in place. It was time as it was placed there in 1956. Men and machines moved in and you will understand when I tell you, it no longer looked like my beautiful secret place. Trenches were dug and the feet of many men had tramped down the plants until I could no longer see beauty, only a huge mess. Trenches and piles of dirt everywhere. A family member had given me cuts of her Arkansas Honeysuckle many years ago. I referred to it as Jo’s Honeysuckle. It was beautiful. Very special as Jo passed away not long after she had given me the starter plants. I could find no evidence that it had survived the trauma.
My garden began to make its way back two years ago and then a sprinkler system went in. Not quite as bad as the water line but close. Finally, it was left completely alone and allowed to recover what it could of what had been a work in progress ever since we bought our home, twenty-five years ago.
Today, I spent quality time working in my garden. It has recovered. Not only has it recovered from the trauma inflicted on it by workers, and a couple of hail storms but surprise of all surprises…Jo’s Arkansas honeysuckle has come forth. It smells so good. A southern sachet once again graces my backyard.
~Thought For Today~
As I was working in the yard today I thought how our lives are similar to this garden. It was doing well and then trouble came. We do well and then something unforseen happens and we have setbacks. We have financial issues, broken relationships, lost jobs, trouble, trouble and more trouble.
God is our Master Gardener. He nurtures us, prunes a little here and there. No matter the trouble that comes our way, He stays and continues to do His work to bring us through the rebuilding and restoration. He may have to move us around and replant us, or he may just leave us where we are and feed us until we rise up again.
I noticed while working today that it is more beautiful than I ever imagined it could be after all the damage done to it. Literally tilled up and trampled over in the late summer and early fall. Then came a hard winter with ice and snow. Then it was spring pummeled by hailstones. Yet, it is a survivor.
We may go through very difficult times. We may have survived serious health issues, the death of loved ones, devastating financial issues. We know from our experiences that God was the difference. He stays with us. He sees us before in our messes and trials, yet He stays and walks with us through the valley. We all can give testimony to our before and after histories. Amazing the love He has for us.
~Scriptures For Today~
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB)
Psalms 46:1-3
46 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. (NASB)
Isaiah 42:16
16 “I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone.” (NASB)
Psalms 9:9-10
9 The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We praise You that You walk with us when trouble comes. When things happen that we think we can never recover from, You lift us up and bring us from dark defeat and trials into the light again. We pray for confidence that there is nothing that we cannot go through. With You, all things are possible. Thank You for the before and after times of our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.