Not in My Wiring

You’d think, with the pictures in recent posts and my comments about the beauty of spring, that I love working in the garden.  That assumption, however, is completely wrong!  I appreciate the beauty of the flowers, trees, and grass, and the work that many others put into their beautiful gardens, but that’s where it ends.

As I struggled this morning to plant just four additional plants to extend the beautiful ground cover at my retaining wall, it was all I could do to finish.  I’d look over and see a weed that needed to be pulled (since it rained last night making the ground soft for such a chore), or a stick that needed to be picked up, and attend to that instead.  Anything to avoid why I was there.  Finally I finished, and hope my gardening for this year is done – and it’s only early April!

I told Daddy, as I “sort of” worked at it, that He is the Master Gardener, but He apparently didn’t see fit to put much of that inclination into my wiring.  In the same way, I reflected on an episode of Holmes on Homes the other night on HGTV.  In the midst of replacing a concrete porch and stairs, he brought in a true craftsman to make the concrete look like slate and decorative brick.  It was interesting to see him create this masterpiece, and I truly appreciate his gift and the time he takes with it, but I cannot imagine ever doing this “tedious” work.  Obviously, this man is wired for his work, and I’m not.

On the other hand, there are people who cringe at the thought of writing, while thoroughly enjoying what others have written.  For you to put words, sentences, and paragraphs together to make a point – not to mention the grammar involved – is about as interesting as watching grass grow.  On the other hand, I thrive on bringing words together to make clear what is in my heart, even if I’m the only one who ever reads what I write.  It isn’t always easy, but God wired me for it, so I am able to persevere in His grace – with joy.

Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

¹³ For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Grace, peace, and joy to you, beloved of the Most High God!

What Delights!

As if it isn’t enough that spring is here (yes, we dodged the snow bullet this go-round!), with all the beautiful daffodils and new green leaves beginning to show up on the trees, my dear friends from China just visited for a couple of days!  When I have opportunity to spend time face-to-face with you precious and powerful women of God, it is like a breath of fresh air to me.  I don’t know any other way to describe it!

Getting more information than we can possibly share via email, along with the heartbeat of God for the people of China or India, lifts me up in the spirit as nothing else can.  It takes effort not to get a bit down after you leave because, in some cases, I don’t know when I will see you next.   Then Holy Spirit gets me back on track, reminding me to stay strong in prayer for you as you live day in and day out in those lands I only visit from time to time – and I get back up, shake myself off, and get back in my given position.  After each visit with you, my dear friends, I’m standing taller and stronger than before!

Thank you for brightening my life like the emergence of spring!  I love you!