A Time to Plant

We've enjoyed less rain and more walking weather on the Oregon Coast this spring.  On walks with Willa (our German/Australian shepherd), I love seeing the daffodils along our country road. Clusters circle trees, rows line driveways. Others grow by the roadside and in pastures, speaking the promise of spring.  

Curiously, not one of these amazing flowers bloom at my house. In fact, if you

walked past, as someone just did, you wouldn't see any reason to think daffodils are my favorite flower. Even so, I admire each one I see.  

So why haven't I planted any over the last decade? I've planted marigolds, pansies, nasturtiums, and petunias - none of which returned the next year. But why haven't I planted a few faithful daffodils to greet us every spring? I don't like admitting such lethargy. But on the upside, it's a call to change, a reminder to plant and grow. 

The problem is, we don't plant daffodils or tulips in the spring, when they're everywhere to remind us. We plant these bulbs during the harvest season. By then, we're more inclined to make applesauce than plant daffodils. But...if we want these glorious beauties to brighten our early spring...  

A time to plant, a time to grow, and a time to flourish. The same holds true for God's children. We all have seasons when we don't feel like we're growing in the

things of God. At those times, it's a struggle just to not lose ground. But if we keep planting the seeds of God's Word in our spirits, they will grow. We may not see the buds and flowers right away, but God promises His Word will become the wisdom we need for every challenge. 

"For as the rain comes down...and waters the earth, making it bring forth

 and bud...So shall My Word be...it shall accomplish what I please and it

 shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:10,11).

In October, could someone remind me it's the time to plant a dozen daffodils? I'm hoping by this time next year, people walking down the road can admire the

yellow flowers blooming beside my house. And maybe God will use them to encourage others to keep planting His word in their hearts.                   

Eight Weeks Later...

By now most of us would rather forget those New Year's resolutions we made eight weeks ago. Hopefully our friends and family have forgotten them too. Yet even though we struggle to make our goals a reality, we can't seem to let them go. So how can we make the next few weeks more productive? Yesterday, I was reminded of an obvious, but elusive element for progress. 

I woke before daylight and thought about my choices for the day. After praying, I decided not to make the two hour drive to a writer's conference. I had planned on going for weeks, but reluctantly let circumstances change my mind.

I can spend time at the library instead, I told myself. Then drive out, walk on the beach, and commune with God. The thought of an ocean breeze and discussing this year's writing projects with God, convinced me I'd made the right choice. 

Two cups of coffee later, the phone rang. I caught enough of my husband's conversation to know my plans were about to change. Soon we set out for an hour and a half drive in his truck. But not to gain inspiration for writing. He wanted me to help clean up a business rental for a client. The tenants moved   out and left the place a mess. Preempted again! 

We can resolve a thousand times to accomplish a goal, but until we make it a priority, it will never happen. That doesn't mean we can't help others or be spontaneous when an unexpected opportunity comes up. But when we truly prioritize our dreams from God, it keeps us from letting everything else push
them aside for weeks, months, or even years.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works , which

God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).   

We want to believe God has a specific plan for our life. Still we can't help but wonder, which causes us to wander from pursuing the reality of it. Even so, Jesus is the head of the body, the Church, and He has preeminence (Col. 1:18). Is that the truth and power we so easily misplace? The Lord's preeminence means He is first in rank and influence. 

Are we influenced by Him more than by anyone or anything else? 

As we learn to live a "yes" answer to that question more, our dreams from 
the Lord will get preempted less. By doing and enjoying those good works He created for us, we acknowledge Christ's preeminence in our lives.