Joy in the Journey

  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…. Philippians 3:8a*   Bloom where you’re planted. Have you seen that before? I have, so many times. It brings up a lot for me. First of all it’s usually on a magnet, card or poster with a picture of lovely flowers. There’s my first uh-oh, considering that both of my thumbs are black. My home and yard are the places plants go to die. Then there is the timing. I usually see that precious saying at a point in time when the “where” is not comfy.   It’s usually a season of “I’d rather be anywhere but here.” There it is “bloom where you’re planted.” Here? Really? Ugh! I saw it this morning and my reaction was more to the “I’m not a gardener” reaction. (Although in the spirit of full disclosure, there are some “garden” spots in my life that I would like to vacate, so it fits that angle too.) Still it made me smile, proof that God can give you joy and...

  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 On and off again for several months I have struggled with bitterness. Just when I think I have a handle on it that handle becomes slick with the oil of self and slips through my hands. The truth is I can’t get a handle on it so I asked for help. While reading about Moses and turning the bitter water sweet, (Exodus 15:25) God revealed to me that the Cross, the sacrifice of Jesus, was the wood that would make my bitterness sweet, if I would let it. The problem with bitterness is that it sometimes feels justified. People have offended me, so it’s okay for me to feel bitter. No! It’s okay for me to feel hurt but bitterness is more dangerous to me than any word or act of another person.   So I picked up a little piece of wood put it in a baggy and began to carry it around with me. Whenever bitter thoughts threatened I could...