Continuing with the story of the backyard plants.... it took maybe ten minutes to 'dig' them up. I was going to do it, but knew hubby would be upset if I did.... but I did check.... they hadn't 'rooted out' into the ground yet so it was so easy to just pull them out of the ground and back into the pots. Hubby took care of it when he came home from his meeting. We ended up throwing 4 away as there didn't seem to be an new growth and they were dying. Three looked like they were doing well so they went back into the pots and we put them in the front courtyard. I'll deal with them this weekend. May leave in pots and just set between my dwarf trees. It's all done. I do think we need to get some white gravel and put over what is back there. Don't know if we will get anything now.... suggested artificial stuff so we don't have to water at all. Will see.
I was somewhat productive last night.... I finished an afghan I've been working on and I also finished a book I was reading. Hubby had asked if I wanted to watch a movie or read.... and I chose reading so was able to get it finished. As much as I have been enjoying the movies on Up Faith & Family, need to keep them to the weekend and spend my evenings reading. Except hubby likes his shows too. I am so sick of Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud. I remember my parents watching these shows - and you know how I fight about becoming like my parents! At least when I'm watching movies I can sit and crochet or knit and complete a project!
One of my devotions yesterday was about being kind. Today it is about loving others. I let hubby read the one yesterday. It seemed to cool his temper down a bit. And he admitted being hurt by the behavior of this neighbor, as I was. We talked about it. And we both remembered what Pastor Steve always said.... "Angry people are hurting people". Something triggers that anger, and it usually is because they have been hurt. So I vote we give up the hurt we have received from this neighbor and respond in kindness and love. And pray for our neighbor, for we don't know what is going on in his life, or what has made him so angry, so hurt. That part is actually easy.
But it isn't always. Do you recall being hurt deeply by someone to the point you think that you can never forgive them? All you can think of is revenge, right? You want everything bad to happen to them, to remove them out of your thoughts, out of your life. I know - I've been there! We all have at some point. The pain is so severe that we can't let it go. We can't ignore it.
But we can give that severe pain to God. We can even give that minor pain to God. He can handle all that we 'throw' at Him. He's heard me yell at Him in my pain. He's heard me say 'my piece' and sometimes not too nicely. He's seen my tears, and He knows my broken heart.
But He is my Healer of my pain. He heals not only the hurt I hold inside, but He heals the brokenness I feel of being left out, of being put aside, of being verbally beaten up, of being mistreated, misunderstood, and torn down, criticized until I can't breathe. He knows all this and He heals me. He heals the broken-hearted.
The Japanese have a way with vases. I think it is the Japanese. When a vase breaks, they put it back together using a gold liquid. When the vase dries, it is a beautiful new vase with gold running all through a new design.
And that's what happens to us when we give our brokenness, our pain, to Jesus. He takes the broken pieces of our feelings, our lives, and puts us back together. Only He uses the blood He shed for us, covering us with it, and bringing healing, hope, and faith into us. When we are put back together, we are a beautiful new design, fit for His use.
What's holding you back from letting God have your brokenness? Do you think He's too busy? Not for you. Do you think He doesn't care? He loves you so much, He went to the cross for you. Do you think He doesn't want you? Oh, He wants you so badly that He is waiting for you constantly, with open arms, waiting for you to allow Him to embrace you with His love.
What broken pieces are you holding on to? Letting a loved one go? Give them to Jesus. He will comfort you in your loss. Missing someone close to you? Talk to Jesus about it. (and keep in touch with them!) Struggles in your job that causes you angst? Talk to Jesus about it; ask Him what you should do. Ask for wisdom, knowledge and understanding about things you need to know. He will always provide.... but you have to ask Him for it.
Ok, I'm done. NOW take a moment and think about what you have been holding on to. Breathe in. Breathe out. Ask Jesus to take over the hurt, the brokenness, the pain. Ask for peace, and love, and joy. And let Him work in you. By the end of the day, I promise you, if you will seek Jesus with all of your heart and ask for His intervention in your pain and sorrow and brokenness, you will see His hand upon you and you will feel His love, His peace, His presence. Will you ask Him?
Blessings!
