“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32: 27 NIV
Jeremiah 32: 27 NIV
It is important to remember that if you are entering the garden in December you will not experience the delicate blossoms of spring time, or the deep intense colors that grace the flowers of summer. You will not see the warm hues of autumn, and if you live in the south you most likely will not delight in the beauty of evergreens and dark tree bark contrasting against the freshly fallen, pure white snow of winter.
No, sadly to say, the December garden treasures are few and far between! At first glance the garden may seem unattractive and like a place that you would not want to go or spend much time. But what a perfect reminder of hope we find in the December garden. Even though the December garden is bleak and unproductive, we can still find hopeful joy in the red Holly berries and the clusters of rich orange berries that hang off of the Heavenly Bamboo bushes. As I focus on this touch of elegant color I am thankful for this small amount of December beauty and I remain sure that spring will follow winter.
No, sadly to say, the December garden treasures are few and far between! At first glance the garden may seem unattractive and like a place that you would not want to go or spend much time. But what a perfect reminder of hope we find in the December garden. Even though the December garden is bleak and unproductive, we can still find hopeful joy in the red Holly berries and the clusters of rich orange berries that hang off of the Heavenly Bamboo bushes. As I focus on this touch of elegant color I am thankful for this small amount of December beauty and I remain sure that spring will follow winter.
Just like the December garden, at times my life can seem to be bleak and unproductive. I can become frustrated and restless. During the winters months I can experience a seasonal depression. My cure for the winter blahs is to seek God and allow him to align his spirit to mine. I also plan projects and busy myself with things that I do not have time for during the beautiful spring, summer and fall months.
In our humanness, we long for perfection and peace, yet often it is elusive. At times our frustration gives way to discouragement and hopelessness. Our emotions can spike in the glory of a wonderful moment in time and then quickly crash in the reality of life.
I am so glad that I have discovered that the acceptance of a higher power is what gives me strength and hope. I am also learning that practicing daily surrender of myself to God is the pathway to inner peace. Even during the winter months I can find God’s beauty in the garden of my heart.
If you know Jesus Christ personally, the December garden is a beautiful reminder that with God all things are possible and nothing is too hard for the creator of the universe. Over the next few weeks I hope that you will hang in there and continue to read my devotionals each week. It will be amazing to watch the garden of your heart take shape and become a place of breathless beauty.
Questions:
Do you long for inner peace?
In our humanness, we long for perfection and peace, yet often it is elusive. At times our frustration gives way to discouragement and hopelessness. Our emotions can spike in the glory of a wonderful moment in time and then quickly crash in the reality of life.
I am so glad that I have discovered that the acceptance of a higher power is what gives me strength and hope. I am also learning that practicing daily surrender of myself to God is the pathway to inner peace. Even during the winter months I can find God’s beauty in the garden of my heart.
If you know Jesus Christ personally, the December garden is a beautiful reminder that with God all things are possible and nothing is too hard for the creator of the universe. Over the next few weeks I hope that you will hang in there and continue to read my devotionals each week. It will be amazing to watch the garden of your heart take shape and become a place of breathless beauty.
Questions:
Do you long for inner peace?
Are you struggling with a difficult circumstance in your life?
Do your problems overwhelm you?
Is there a place in your heart’s garden that is calling you to surrender and trust God for the impossible?
Prayer:
Dear God,
Prayer:
Dear God,
You never promised us that life would be perfect. In fact your Word tells us that in this life we will experience trouble. Thank you Father that you offer to us wisdom, love, peace, hope and joy in the midst of every difficulty. Help me to seek you in all things. You have promised me that if I will seek you and your ways I will find you. Thank you for this promise.
In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.
