Friday, August 5, 2011

Hope Blooms on the Stem of Trust

Day 5 on my August Trek of Trust finds me picking metaphors from the garden.   

Like a garden,  trust needs an object -- a point of focus, a place for the eye to rest.  Here the focal point is a rock.  It is not easy to move and is not damaged by sun, drought or frost. It is still there when the flowers fade or die. A focal point draws attention and holds it long enough for the eye to perceive what is around it. But it never changes or loses its presence, its hold, its steady stature. Just like God.

My idea to set aside August for a concentrated practice of trusting God, came from a desire to be rid of fearing the unknown, a desire employ the power of focus to grow in trust instead of fear.  Really, who wants to focus on the things we fear?  Who wants to continually look at the object of our fear?  Why to we do that?  I need the rock for my eye to rest.

Last week, I found myself tending my mother's beautifully planned garden. The grass was full of weeds.

I have to admit...I LOVE dandelions.  They are startlingly yellow, attracting my attention right away. (Before Jim mowed the extensive lawn, I rescued about 50 of them, stuffed their stems into a glass of water on the kitchen table, planning to feed them to my hens as treats.)  Dandelions have a revered place. But in the lawn, they are weeds, and if they are not removed, they will take over.  How like my fears they are:  Useful in their place...but if allowed to take over  -- well, they would take over
So here ends day 5.  I've been reminded to look upon the steady focal point of my life...the one that brings order to the chaos and hope to life on Earth and beyond -- the one that stays put

                                 --God.
 I am walking on the trek SURROUNDED by his beauty.
And I have found that HOPE blooms on the stem of trust.
    And it is good.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight"
Proverbs 3:5-6




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1 comment:

  1. Loved this post! So true, and I loved the example of the rock and then the dandelions.

    ReplyDelete

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My Father's Words

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love never fails

Father's Love Letter

An Intimate Message from God to You:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.... ...Almighty God

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