“Lord there was quite the storm brewing just outside my garden today. It shook even the inside walls of the garden. It has quieted some, but I know it isn’t over. Let us shore up the walls and inner structure. And would you help me to really strengthen the center of the garden??” “Yes!”, and he smiled, a loving, knowing smile.” “It isn’t going to be easy Lord, is it?” ” No, but I am with you!” “Amen Lord! Can we keep making a beautiful place for you and I in the Center?” “Yes, that is what we are working on today, Krista!” “Hallelujah! Oh, will you help me to stop working against you and have your way?” “Yes.” I am ready to stop trying to add, or keep fake plants in my garden too. Let’s throw those in the bin right now Lord!” And he said, “After you!” (I realized after plants and trees were removed, I was trying to put up fake plants that reminded me of the removed. I was trying to protect my heart or add comfort, but this just caused confusion and delay for me!)
Tag: faithfulness
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The Winds Have Blown!
Lord, on this day of rest, it has been a struggle. I began the day with the realization that I could no longer be torn and confused. I have entered rest, but what is the next step. Am I moving forward, though there has been some back and forth? “Yes, it is a hard thing to face and come out of Krista.” “Lord would you receive my love and my care today!” “Yes!” “Would you be to me all that I have walked away from?” “Yes!” “Ok, then I can do this!” “Will you strengthen me, give me clarity, and joy for the road ahead?” “Yes!” “I guess I need to leave the old life behind and who I thought I was to be.” “Yes, you do! However, I will also surprise you with more!” Follow me today!” “Yes Lord!” The winds have blown through this garden and what was to remain is all that is left. It is small, for now Lord, help me to be good with small.” “I am!”
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I will Certainly Follow You!
“Lord lead me today. I yield. Help me not to be busy or cause those around me to be busy with things that keep us from obedience.”
“Lord I have picked some flowers for you this morning! Fruits of our labor!” I hand them to him and he smiles. “Thank you Krista.” I return the smile. “Lord, I love you. I am ready for the work you have for us today. I receive your instructions, your will.”
“I let go of the plans for my life and families today. I let go of controlling or knowing anymore than you want to give me Lord. I will continue to keep my eyes on you and I will certainly follow you!“
“Is it enough and ok Lord, if all I have to offer today is surrender and my yes?” “Yes, Krista, this is all I need today!”
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Keep Me as the Apple of Your Eye!
This is my conversation this morning: “Lord I want to offer you obedience. Will you help me? Now I surrender myself, this day, and ask you to lead the way!” “Take my hand Krista, let us walk together,” he commanded. “Yes Lord! Where are we going?” “Pray!” “Amen Lord!”
Later in the day: “Lord I made the great escape today. Help me to keep moving forward. I thank you for your help and protection. I thank you that you help me. Keep me from the snares laid for me. And even now you have shown me places in me that need to be shorn up. So Lord, I come to you with my decision and vulnerabilities. Keep me as the apple of your eye! I choose you!” “I will!”
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Joy for the Journey
“Good Morning Lord!” (As I stepped into the center of my garden I left behind my worries, my concerns, and overwhelming emotion.) I turned my eyes to Jesus and realize he is brilliant in white. “Lord you are beautiful!” He said,” Take my hand this morning Krista.” There is an importance, an urgency , a command, concern, and love, to name a few of the intentions behind his speaking. I take his hand and bind my being, my soul, my mind, all of me to him. “I am going your way Lord. Fill me Lord, with your love, guide me in your truth.” Then he says: “It is not an easy path I ask you to take. I need you to listen to me and I need you to follow.” “Yes Lord! Will you help me? You know my weaknesses. Will you empower and embolden me to be the person you have always seen? I see it too, but can not sustain it, or achieve it even, on my own. Help me to lean on you instead of myself!” “I will, Krista, I am!”
Just before going into the garden this morning, I had a weight of care and emotions concerning others. I realized I could not get into the center without letting it go, trusting it all to God, and laying it all down. After doing this, the entire garden just faded away and the brilliance of Jesus and his presence is all I could see and experience!
“Lead me today Lord. Show me all you need me to see. Lead my decisions, grant me clarity, discernment spiritually, and stability in emotion and more, to take the road ahead and keep moving forward!” “I will and I am!” “Thank you Lord!
A few minutes past and the Holy Spirit brought up in me something I needed to ask for and receive: “Would you give me joy for the journey Lord?” “Yes!,” and he smiled as he spoke. So now I breathe in your presence and am filled with all I need!
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Red Herring!
High noon and the Master Gardener is already at work. I return his smile and begin to work alongside him. “Let’s continue to plant these flowers”, he said. “Yes Lord!” Leaning on the tip of my rake and looking over the garden I say, “Lord the work is beautiful and solid. Things are taking shape.” He smiles back and says: “I have been at work, even in the unseen.” “Thank you Lord! I am ever so grateful!
Today after I got into the garden and was spending my time with the Lord events unfolded. What I didn’t know is that other events had unfolded during the night, unbeknownst to me. What I did with these findings is sat back and looked then I began to direct for them to be addressed. Hours later and I realize that each “issue” is a red herring! Oh yes, some attention is needed to seek out the way forward, but each is an attention stealer. Both are a red herring, for others and me, both if we will continue to stay distracted from the real issues. The real issue is God is breaking old strongholds from the enemy of our souls and family. I didn’t respond the same as I used too and my stomach didn’t get into knots, but I learned more about the distractions today. And I am pleased with the growth and wisdom and deliverance happening in my garden, my life!
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Sitting on a Park Bench!
As I walked in the garden today, I reached the place where the Master Gardener was and I was tickled. I saw him sitting on a park bench! There was a pathway in front of that bench. The Master Gardener said, ” I brought some flowers to plant around the bench and beside the pathway today.” I asked, “Lord is this place just for you and me, or will others come this way?” He replied, ” Let us plant these pansies and see. The sun is bright, cheery, and full of life today. Let’s get some sun!” “Yes Lord.” Is what I said as a smile was not just on my face but from my heart!
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The Way Out!
Today I am making decisions and carrying on by faith and choice, and boy is that needed. I don’t always feel brave, I don’t always find it easy to get my instructions from the Lord and stick to them, but it is a good work he is doing in me and coming to him often is a good thing. I think I will share what I wrote this morning with you.
I am still learning and growing. I humble myself before you Lord, today! I need your healing, wisdom, and guidance. Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. In the center of my garden Lord, is this that or is it Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion?
The Master Gardener: I have heard your request and I see your heart. Follow my lead, watch me, and follow my instruction! Me: Yes Lord- I submit my full life to you and I follow your lead now.
I struggled with some of the same things I have brought to him, but the point is I have come to him for help. He is the one that sees all and has the way out and forward. I pray for your joy today friend and courage!
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A Step Out of Victimhood!
My day began a little worn feeling. I had a question or two for the Master Gardener. As we worked the water from a pond in the Center of my garden caught my eye. A glint of light danced in one corner. The Master Gardener told me I could go take a look, so I set down my tools and went to the edge. He stirred the water and let me see, if I dared, my own reflection. I began to look and then see. He told me I would need to face what I saw there, if I really want to be free. For you see footholds remained in me, that had to be shunned and turned from. Things in me had to be faced in order to be free. So I looked, I faced myself, then Him- The Truth. I let go, I repented. Things in me were wrong. Not just things done to me. He helped me forgive myself and others and now I must go for He is beckoning me into the water to baptize me a fresh in his love and I must go!
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The Applecart Overturned!
A storm blew through my (our) lives, and toppled everything remaining. Is that a bad thing? No. Has there been loss and great pain? Yes. However, on this Monday I am here to say that it has been worth the cost! You see, there were important places in my (our) lives that were not in their (there) proper places. Yet seeing them fully and then knowing what to do, had not been clear. Now that the applecart has been overturned, visibility and clarity are here. Today, by faith, I walked out of the stronghold and fully into my garden with the King. Yes, this is how it should have been from the beginning, but He restores so beautifully! I am sure there are surprises ahead, finally I am free!
Butterfly Vuela 