Ten refreshing reminders God revealed to me through His gift of nature while He and I were out pulling weeds:

·        Waiting on God is always worth the wait!  We planted this slow growing evergreen tree our first season in this house – 9 years ago. At the time it was only about 18 inches tall…now it’s a whopping 7 feet tall…and growing!

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

·        When God prunes His children, whom He loves, it is for His glory and for their good…as God characterizes good.  Pruning encourages growth and a bountiful harvest. A couple summers ago the wind quickly and completely snapped off the top 6-7 feet from of our beautiful newly planted willow tree…you know…that flexible tree that bends and never breaks. Shortly afterward it looked like it had killed our beautiful tree. It drooped more than even a weeping willow should, all the leaves fell long before the fall season and its branches became crispy. Billy immediately wanted to pull it up. I looked closely and had seen new life at its base and asked if we could keep it another season just to see what happens. I love our newly formed shade giving willow bush!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2 NIV

·        Expectantly, look for and enjoy God’s little blessings by surprise!  Several years ago we planted bright yellow daisies! This year the yellow daisies came up just like they have in years past…along with some that are quite different!

“All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God” Deuteronomy 28:2 NIV

·        Don’t take for granted God’s amazing provision for his creation. Excitedly, I planted honeysuckle! I love the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle. It wasn’t long before I noticed the honeysuckle I had planted was not what I had expected…magenta colored blooms with absolutely no fragrance. I wanted to pull this wretched imposter! Until I noticed the bright red berries that came late that summer – and fed the birds in autumn!  I could never pull their “accidental” food source!

^“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” Luke 12:24 NIV

·        Truly, the best things in this life are free!  We purchased and planted a few quaking aspens – wishing we were able to buy more – trees from a nursery are very expensive! I’m so thankful God has given us beautiful, healthy, free seedlings!  Hey, money may not grow on trees…but seedlings do!

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

·        Sometimes you just have to face it…there are things that simply are not going to happen and we need to make wise and prudent choices. We’ve spent a small fortune planting vegetable gardens in this Wyoming prairie…trying various “spots.” We’ve tried different watering systems. We’ve tried to protect the tender new shoots from the fierce winds up here on “windy hill.” Our tomatoes, always a success…nothing else is. A successful garden can save you thousands of dollars; an unsuccessful garden can cost you hundreds. I promise Billy, no more Wyoming vegetable gardens…we will plant some beautiful perennials in our latest “spot” then we can sit back and enjoy them year after year after year while we gratefully enjoy any bountiful gifts from generous friends.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV

·        Once in a while take a break from the task…look up and take notice of the things around you…you never know…you just might catch that rare hummingbird sipping some nectar!

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1 NIV

·        As long as we are on this side of eternity sweat and labor will be required. I look at what was a few years ago…a couple acres of centuries old Wyoming prairie. Today, our little house on the Wyoming prairie sits off-center with a wonderful view of the Wind River Mountain Range; we have laid sod, planted trees, shrubs and flowering plants – many of which did not survive their second season. We have experienced sunburns, smashed thumbs, swollen blisters, stickers in fingers and toes, and quite literally a sweaty brow. If you are wondering, yes, this is my dream home…it is a home filled with all that I need and a lot of life’s little luxuries that I really don’t.  But, most of all, it is filled with love.

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken, for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19 NIV

·        Make sure you pull the weeds in your life as quickly as they appear. Don’t let the weeds grow and flourish in your life choking out all the beauty that God wants you to be. Surround yourself with the fragrance of all that is beautiful! And mirror that beauty to all who God brings to your path.

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV

·        No task is mundane or tedious when God is right there with you – speaking to your heart and opening your eyes to His glory that surrounds you! Even when it’s pulling weeds! Open my eyes, Lord! I don’t want to miss out on a thing that You have for me!

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18

   Open my eyes, that I may see

   glimpses of truth thou hast for me;

   place in my hands the wonderful key

   that shall unclasp and set me free.

   Silently now I wait for thee,

   ready, my God, thy will to see.

   Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

   Open my ears, that I may hear

   voices of truth thou sendest clear;

   and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,

   everything false will disappear.

   Silently now I wait for thee,

   ready, my God, thy will to see.

   Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

   Open my mouth, and let me bear

   gladly the warm truth everywhere;

         open my heart and let me prepare

   love with thy children thus to share.

   Silently now I wait for thee,

   ready, my God, thy will to see.

   Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine! ~~Clara H. Scott, 1841-1897~~