Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has arrived in  Georgia! We had an uncommonly balmy March and the plants really took off. Everywhere I look there are little explosions of color. I love it!

 For Thou O LORD hast made me glad by what Thou hast done,

I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands

Psalm 92:4

Hope

Hope. That's what I've been learning about. That's also what this picture represents to me.

A few weeks ago an arctic cold front swept through the country and temperatures dropped below freezing in Georgia. A few of my friends were doing happy dances because it finally felt like winter down here, but I was in mourning for all the cheerful daffodils that had succumbed to the weather. (Daffodils are my favorite flower.) On the way to church the next morning I sadly noted the wilted stems. It wasn't the first time I'd seen this happen and I could already picture the drooping patches of yellow becoming soggy, brown messes. I know how this ends, I thought to myself.

But I didn't.

The other day I decided to enjoy the delightful weather outside and clean out some flower beds. As I was working I noticed the daffodil from the picture above. A few days ago it had been lying in the dirt and I had mentally assigned it to its doom. But it wasn't rotting or even lying on the ground now, instead it was bravely lifting its dirt-stained face to the sun again.

Jenna, don't give up on "hopeless" situations. You don't know how the story ends. Hope in Me.

I almost burst into tears right there, kneeling in the dirt by the neighbor's fence. You see, there are some situations in my life that are looking like that daffodil looked a week ago - unsalvageable. Until yesterday, my attitude about these situations was the same as it was for the flowers - I've seen this all before. I know how the story ends. Why even bother hoping?

How could I have forgotten that "We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37), that I serve "The God who works wonders" (Psalm 77:14)?

 In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; 
Let me never be ashamed. 
 In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; 
Incline Your ear to me and save me. 
 Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; 
You have given commandment to save me, 
For You are my rock and my fortress. 
 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, 
Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man, 
 For You are my hope; 
O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth. 
By You I have been sustained from my birth; 
You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; 
My praise is continually of You.

Psalm 71:1-6

Missing Rainbows?

Today when we got home from Good News Club we discovered this radiant rainbow, the biggest one I've ever seen!

Genesis 9:16

And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.


Every time I see a rainbow it makes me wonder if it was placed there just for me. :)


 I read a true story once about a teenage girl who was going through a difficult time and happened to read the story of the rainbow in Genesis. She cried out to God, "Where is my rainbow?" and the very next day there was the most brilliant rainbow she had ever laid eyes on, right outside her window.


I always thought that was one of the sweetest stories I had ever heard of. And it makes me wonder, what rainbows am I missing in my life? Are there little assurances of God's promises that He leaves in my path and I have failed to notice?


What do you think?

Joy

Beauty

Well, it's Friday! I must confess I nearly forgot about this post. (Shame on me!) But now I am really excited. :)

This week I am grateful for beauty.

For eyes to see the beautiful sunsets over Moscow

For ears to hear my nieces' laughter.

For touch to feel a baby's soft skin.

And for a soul to appreciate it all.

Thank you God!

Painting Project #1

So here is the project I've been working on for the past week or so. My dad recently painted all of our outside doors red, so I wanted to paint this chair that sits on our porch too.

It's pretty old and kind of beat up now so I wanted to freshen it up with some paint!

Looking better but not done yet!

Ta-da!

What do you think? One of my sisters thinks the red is too much, but my mom loves it. I'm not sure that I love it, but I think it definitely looks better!

The weather in my hometown has been delightful this past week, warm with a refreshing breeze. I worked in my garden almost all day Friday. This time of year, between spring and summer is my favorite. The smell of the blooming privet hedge, the chirp of crickets, cool breezes, and warm sunny days are a balm to my soul. Something about this time of year makes me feel at home like no other season can.

 I'm so thankful that God made the world to be a beautiful place, that I am able to enjoy it and that His grace keeps it that way!