“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: peace
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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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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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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!
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Pausing
I have headed into the Center place of my garden today, to just sit and be with the Lord, the Master Gardener. The weather has grown hotter and today is a cooler day. It is a perfect time to remember what this garden is all about and get back to the core. It is Him and me and two hearts entwined. The outer parts of the garden can have some attention, but today, I remember to come here daily and just be. For I have nothing apart from this love Jesus gives and His life. The heat has caused the blossoms to be beautifully full and fragrant! I think I will ask Him to help build me a canopy for refuge to shelter me from the heat this summer will bring. I have been dealing with the heat and those trying to get into the inner part of my garden, but the Master gardener knows how to teach me to catch the little foxes and so I shall!
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For Purpose!
There is a lot to do in my garden this week. I want to sit and enjoy, but first the work must begin. Sowing seeds for a fall harvest today, this means i need to work the ground and ready my soil and I am seeking the help of the Master gardener to help me in this stage. I sometimes mistake weeds for plants and plants for weeds. There may be a few plants to keep and place in another part of the garden. I also have a lot of learning to do today. It is wonderful to be alive and to begin to be more intentional in my garden. Even the pain takes on new meaning and at the end of even today, I will be able to sit and reflect and enjoy some of the fruits of my labour! I am not labouring alone, I found this doesn’t work, Jesus is hear guiding and providing for me. I am in a season where maybe one or two others step into this garden, but I have areas now only for me and Him. It is becoming a larger part of my garden too, but I see now that this is by design and not to punish me or others, it is for purpose! I pray you ask and yield to the guiding and help of Jesus in your own life! He loves you and so do I!!!
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Stand Your Ground
I came into the garden early this morning. As I set out to accomplish my tasks and enjoy the day I was met with the usual challenges. The usual challenges were not ready for me! I however, saw them and carried on. I stood through each uncomfortable moment and they passed. As they passed the reality that I am no longer the same hit, and it is sweet. I overcame and I am still standing! A quiet day of reflecting and a new me! God is good, the sun is sweet and Life is good!!!
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Take Courage!
In my time with the Lord today, I found myself saying, “I will take courage!” This was after a morning greeting, and thanksgiving for the directions, answers and help I asked for yesterday that he helped me receive and act on. He is so good! I am glad I decided to take courage. It maybe that as I was declaring this, he was bringing it up in me. The Holy Spirit is good like that! I need that courage right now, how about you? It is important to keep our eyes on Jesus and what he says and is doing. If the fire gets hotter, we need only remember there is a fourth man in the fire with us, if he is Lord of your life, he is of mine! I am remembering to bathe in his love, and increase my joy through trust in him and peace. May he show you what you need from him to come out the other side of this time stronger and above it all! I am setting my eyes above the swirl and though I deal with the circumstances, I will not dwell in them. May the Lord impart to you, what you need today friend. He is good and he is working!!!
Butterfly Vuela 