Tag Archives: God

Something Good in All of Us

07 Sunday Sep 2025

Posted by in Encouragement, Life

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“There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.” James Truslow Adams

To look at these tired bug-eaten bean plants, you would not expect anything worthwhile to come from them. Do we ever look at people that way? Do we feel like giving up? Last week I was ready to pull up the vines, hoping to make a less withered-looking garden spot. But, in true bean-lover form, I thought I would take one more look. Hot dry weather, a gardener who lost her will to weed, time and bugs, have worked on them for sure. People, too, get beat down, worn out and tested, but God — how many times in scripture do we read “but God…” — made it better, or saved entirely, a dire situation. Example: “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him. ( Acts 7:9)

Now look at that little one-gallon ice-cream bucket there beside the row. Beneath these spindly Blue Lake bushes, remained the little moisture and will to live, given by the Lord Himself. Underneath the bushes, I found long tender beans just waiting to be noticed.

As a gardener in a garden, God the Father plants us, waters and nourishes us with all good spiritual gifts, sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears for us, and prepares a table for His expected harvest. He did not give up on you or me nor all humanity. He sees. We search. He loves. We try again. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58)

By the time I finished both rows, I had two of those little buckets full; and a heart full of resolution to look harder for the good in everyone, as well to surrender the “I’m too old to be useful” idea. Like Daddy’s little ice-cream buckets, we can be repurposed and useful as long as we last. I’m not pulling up those green bean plants. I saw several blooms and baby beans that, who knows, just might make it to another dinner table. I don’t see them giving up until we, or Jack Frost, tell them to.

Never give up — on yourself, or anyone else — while there is life there is hope. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

They Don’t Care; They Just Keep on Sipping

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Encouragement, Through my window

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“Casing all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

The sky has darkened, wind is gusting and rain is falling. Our resident hummingbirds dart in for another of many meals throughout the day. As the wind picks up, one female is left to continue receiving the nectar and eventually a gust tosses her under the covered porch and whips her back out into the crepe myrtle limbs. She disappears a moment, and as I hear her clicking chatter resume she circles the feeder triumphantly, resuming her natural duty – survival.

Neither the gathering clouds, nor rain, nor rumbling thunder gave these tiny troopers pause in their itinerary. I, on the other hand, pretty much close up shop; at least head for the cover of a porch. And if lightening joins the fun, I am done. Inside, checking with Alexa for the latest storm warning, and lighting a candle, I nearly forget any purpose I had for the day. With a fresh cup of hot coffee, I stand at the window and observe the way of nature.

In my observation, I remember the One who created the birds of the air; the One who sent rain over Noah’s ark; the One who calmed the storm. With one breath, one word, one touch of His hand, all creation – even the wind and the waves obey Him. “And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘who can this be, that even the wind and sea obey Him?’ ” (Mark 4:41)

I allow too many clouds to overshadow my joy. This is not good. If I hide from the storms and run from the rain, I miss the beauty of knowing I am already in good hands and receiving the peace this brings. Leaning into the storm, I find the One, Jesus my Savior, who already has command of my life. “For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea.” (Psalms 107:25)

Lovely little hummingbird, I learn from you. God provides; I must not fear. “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalms 107:9) My survival in this stormy world of chaos, and the darkness that persists in a world who has rejected God’s way, depends on the sustaining nectar of God’s Word. Go ahead storms, toss me around like lady hummingbird, and I will be directed back to His way by the breath of His word.

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Don’t Go Searching In Empty Baskets To Find God

06 Sunday Sep 2020

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Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels.com

Several of those who “like” a blog are actually inviting you to read their blog, and probably didn’t even read your post through. Occasionally as I check out their blog, a title catches my attention and I read it. One such article this week posed the idea that either there is no god or else the God of the universe must hate us very much to allow all the evil, referring to everything from intentional molestation of children to natural disasters like hurricanes. My first reaction was of gratitude that I have been introduced to a perfect God to walk with me through an imperfect world. Next was to see how others reacted. One comment from a reader touched me especially. She is searching, honestly and tenderly. As she worded her questions and thoughts I pictured a young child stepping gingerly through a waist-high meadow of wildflowers and grasses, wondering which to pick, sniffing some blossoms and smiling; backing away quickly from the prickly weeds; glancing around from time to time at unfamiliar sounds; wandering further, lost in her wonderment. So, how DO we know what to pick – what to hold onto in a world of battles and betrayals? I am not wise enough to adequately meet one so embittered and brash as the blog author. But for the searching one, I offered my source of hope, my peace, my joy found only in Jesus Christ. In Him, God embodied all – His all – the grace and the love we need for hope, peace and safety from the devil’s schemes.

A hummingbird was investigating two empty plant baskets this morning where in years past had been colorful blooms and sometimes ferns. She seemed puzzled that a hanging basket had nothing to offer. I don’t believe she blamed me, for she just moved on to the many blooms and feeders we do provide around the yard. My advice to the searchers is, don’t look in empty baskets. Look where the good is being done and see the image of the Provider Who was the beginning of all that is good; we can’t blame this amazing Creator. ” In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…And God saw that it was good….and indeed it was very good”. (Genesis 1:1-31) He has already given us everything. (John 3:16) Yet in all His provision, God gave us free moral choice, and desires that we seek Him. (Matthew 7:7) Who are we to demand answers from God? He should (and will) demand answers from us as to what we have done to make it a better world. I hope to do a better job of filling those baskets; with nectar from God’s word and sweet smelling prayers to God on behalf of the searchers. May the children fill their hands with bouquets of blessings and find their way home. The meadows are bursting with possibilities.

And God saw that it was good.

Posted by | Filed under Encouragement, Faith, inspiration

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