I did something this week, that I’ve never done before. Now I realize to my young 36 year old self that isn’t highly unlikely, but you see I’m a creature of habit. A risk taker I am not. I like to stay inside my perfectly drawn lines I’ve made for my life, and I stick to them. My days are routine, for the most part. I know what I expect. Sure I may get adventurous every now and then, but if I’m really being honest with myself, I can’t remember the last time I did something last minute or spontaneous. No I like consistency. I like to know what to expect and plan for what’s coming. All good qualities I assure you, but my friends quickly find out, I’m not the person to call for a last minute invite.
But, I did something I’ve never done before, and here’s what I learned in the process.
One of my favorite things about spring is seeing the first signs of green pop up from the ground. Yes I know we are entering into fall, but bear with me for a moment.
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
Audrey Hepburn
I planted spring bulbs!
Now, I know this might not seem like a big deal to some. But I have never planted spring bulbs in the fall before, with the hope and expectation that come spring there will be blooms! I know this doesn’t sound like rocket science, but for me – to plant a seed in the fall, and have to wait all winter long, not knowing if it will bloom or not come spring always sounded like to much of a high risk. Why plant in the fall when I can just wait until May and plant my flowers then, knowing full well there will be blooms.
But you see, something shifted in my perspective, as I decided to get my hands in the dirt. The idea of planting seeds with all the hope and assurance that they in fact will bloom, instead of just hoping for the best, gave me the courage to hope again. To take a chance on dreaming again, by planting seeds of faith, and being confident that there will be an outcome.
Planting those spring bulbs not only gave me hope for a future, they allowed me to change my perspective. Just like when I cleaned my windows last week, washing my view of all of the dirt and grime that was on those windows allowed me to see what I’ve allowed in that is blocking my view of the truth.
Worrying about what the future holds vs. I know who holds my future in His hands takes the pressure off of me having to be in control. Bad news broadcasted on tv vs. keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus (steadfast mind?) Media blasting only stories of hate in the world vs. love your neighbor as yourself, is the shift in perspective that my heart needed after the year we have had.
As we begin to shift into a new season this fall, still with so much uncertainty on what this world holds for us, I find a new sense of hope. That inevitably seasons will change, this too shall pass. And we can choose to dwell on the bad news and the hopelessness that world is trying to distract us with, or we can choose to have faith, and plant seeds of hope.
May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the holy spirit.
Romans 15:13
Great words of encouragement! Thinking of those bulbs sprouting beautiful flowers in the spring – how resilient they have to be to weather the cold, brutal winter…..as we’ve been weathering this season in our country/our world/our lives, we must also have resilience to be able to bloom wherever it is God has planted us!
YES!!! Oh man Julia you are SO RIGHT!!! Sometimes I sit back and think of how many times God asks to just trust Him, and where he’s planted us 🙂 Thank you for sharing this encouragement as well!
I am so very proud of you and what you said, I think a lot of people need to read this and hope they will, for God always takes care of his own. I think a person has to be pretty on the inside and outside to be beautiful and you are. Love your bouquet.
Ohh Marlene, thank you SO MUCH!!! That really means a lot to me, and encourages me to share more 🙂
Such beauty & endless truths found in the planting, nurturing, waiting, growth, pruning & even the dormancy of life… God’s design in all things is full of wonder but takes so much trust & faith!! Letting go of the control can honestly be the hardest for us as humans(it is for me) ! But oh the blessings!! Thanks for sharing!
YES!!! It’s so true! Every time I go out into my yard and start planting in my gardens I feel like God reveals another layer of His truth to me, and how He is the ultimate gardener.
Thank you for putting this out there – we are bombarded with bad news constantly but that is not what we put our trust in – our trust is in the Lord Jesus who is the life, the truth and the way.
Awe thank you Cheryl!
This is beautiful .. thank you for sharing. AMEN
Beautiful Arrangement ! Just one question was it your blog that shared the beautiful home on Cape Cod sometime in August of this year ?
Thank You !
I don’t think it was me??? Although you have me wondering, lol, but I can’t recall any homes I’ve shared recently, never mind on the Cape. However my favorite home on the Cape is Sandra’s from Old Silver Shed 🙂 Her home is Stunning!
Need to get my tulip bulbs planted. Thanks for the reminder and the encouragement that God is in control!
Yes!! You are so welcome Judy!
This is one avenue of life that you can extend your lines daily. Basically, we have been given a road map to travel, with directions, to an ever lasting home. HIS home, an open invitation.
Amen
He is our hope
Amen!
What a refreshing reminder of who to keep our eyes fixed upon….Jesus! I have never planted bulbs either but you may have inspired me to try.
Ohh Thanks Aunt Cyndi!! Hope you get to plant some spring bulbs this fall at your new home 🙂
I love this! The joy of waiting in expectation for something beautiful makes the beauty all the more worth while.
AHHH YES!!! Exactly 🙂
Thank you Bre for the reminder of hope in Christ Jesus. I am much older and more experienced in the living life game than you and all that comes our way. So, I should not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. But, we tend to look at what seems hopeless, forgetting that “greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world. ”
“This is the Victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
Wonderful reminder.
Thank you Kathy. I love what you shared 🙂
hey girl- love the post! You are so right. God is in control. and we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow. We need to focus on Jesus. Y’all have a wonderful weekend. I wish we lived close so we could visit. Love ya –
Thanks girl!!! Hope you have an awesome day!!
Thank you for this, Bre. Your steadfast hope and inspiration is always a breath of fresh air and oh-so appreciated.
Ohh Thank you so much Bethany. I felt so encouraged spiritually while I was digging the dirt, and just wanted to share the encouragement with others 🙂