May 23, 2023

Dear Ones,

The following is from yesterday as we had trouble with our blog site. If you don’t receive in the future we are working on it. 

The sun is shining and hope you are enjoying this beautiful day. I have been working in the kitchen and Al is happily sampling  banana bread! Today we are going  out for lunch with good friends from the lake to celebrate her long ago birthday. We have tried numerous times and finally were able to coordinate our schedules with noone sick or on a trip!  

Devotions from Judy’s heart

  The Lord has so much for us and wants us to live full lives in His love and grace. He desires that our lives be like a garden of beauty with luscious fruit. But often there are attitudes and behavior that block the growth in our lives and our gardens don’t produce all that the Lord has planned for us.

   We may wonder why God hasn’t blessed us with material things like someone else who seems rather prideful. Such wonderings often lead to dry seeds in our garden as we lack joy. Or maybe we suffer with health issues and others seem to go about carefree when it takes all our energy just to get through the day. When Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years if he wanted to become well, perhaps he was really asking if the man was willing to give up self-pity and poor-me attitude.

  Many of you reading this have been through things in your life that you would wish on no one else. But no matter what we have endured we have to say like Joyce Meyers who was molested her whole childhood, we have to let go of the ashes before God can give us beauty. Then our garden can be watered and the dormant seeds blossom and bear fruit. No matter what we have endured, God can give us a beautiful garden when we join our life with His. Like it says in Matt. 11:28, “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden” Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine,”

   Before long we won’t remember our afflictions for the sweet scent of our garden will bring life to our inmost being, where the Lord dwells. Let go of anything that hinders the growth in your garden.

Challenge for today: Instead of rehearsing your trials, give thanks for what God is growing in your garden.