Beauty Hidden by Weeds

I put fertilizer down on my lawn just before the rain. That was a few days ago, and since then I’ve been looking for signs of growth, for signs that it is working. The grass might be greener, and maybe it is growing. I just can’t tell yet. The growth is slow and steady … but I have faith that it will grow.

What I do see are weeds growing! Overnight, all over, I see weeds. They are pretty obvious – different colors and textures than the grass – and about twice as high. It is easy to pull them out right now but if I let them go they will overtake my yard.

Weeds are like that. They are opportunistic, taking the energy and the feeding first, trying to choke out what should be there.

I fertilized at church also. And I noticed the planting area at the entrance. Actually, I noticed the weeds growing there, waist high and thick. I pulled and I chopped and I even had to cut until they were mostly removed. And what did that reveal when I looked behind and beyond the weeds?

Beauty!

Hidden by the weeds were daylilies and about 15 Easter lilies in bloom - all planted by someone else. So I have to wonder, as we talked about the power of endurance including my spiritual roots today. What weeds are hiding the beauty that the blood of Jesus has put on my heart?

From the song by Kathryn Scott that we sang today: “At the foot of the cross where I am made complete … I trade my ashes in for beauty and wear forgiveness like a crown.”

Tim

"crack pots"

We are all just a bunch of "crack pots"! That's what we discovered in prayer Tuesday night. I gotta tell ya, if you aren't there; you are REALLY missing out! You can just feel the Holy Spirit moving! I never know how to pray and am pretty intimidated sometimes. Yet on Tuesday night it just doesn't matter! It was really awesome because Pastor Ron, Tim, Caroline and Bonnie walked around the neighborhood handing out flyers re: Gleaners and they each had the opportunity to pray with someone! Pam and I came later and were fortunate enough to hear their stories. Maybe these people are not coming to our church on Sunday. Maybe they aren't going anywhere yet. But we are having an impact! There is no way that we are not! Guys, I mean everyone, this is what church is all about! It's NOT about the Sunday morning service! It's about all those days in between. It's about us being cracked and letting our light shine through! Building trust, building relationships. For the past few months I feel as though I sealed up my pot. And I don't even know how it happened! And last night God took a hammer to me and broke me all to pieces. I need Him so much. But we all need each other too! I know that we have been going through some tough times with Pastor Ron losing his mom and well; just so many needs within our family. But He is faithful. We are ALL growing in Him! Let's always remember to pray each and every day. All the time. We were so red hot and on fire Feb, March and April and then warm weather hit and well...just look at our blog and how many posts there are for May....Let's light that fire once again! Let's not let the enemy sell us his lies. I just know we are about to explode so you had all better be ready!

Thank you so much Pam for this picture and this reminder to us that we are all just a bunch of crack pots! Please pray more often! You have such a beautiful and a powerful gift! Sal

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Restoration Allendale
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Isaiah 57: 7-10
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
T&C