Promises

The Witch Hazel is starting to bloom and the chives are poking up their tender heads.

Buds are starting to swell on my lilac bushes and my roses are starting to form tiny promises of leaves.

Even the rhododendrons have turned down their sturdy leaves and their buds are pointed expectantly upwards so as not to miss one bit of sunshine that might slip through a cloud.

Its like the very beginning of a beautiful symphony, the orchestra is arriving and a few musicians have started their opening warm-ups! Nature's renewal, its a joy that never gets old and never ceases to fill me with awe and surprise. No matter how cold the winter, there will always be spring. No matter how wet the spring, there will always be summer. God's promises, right there for everyone to see.

This last weekend I attended a Christian workshop called, "Being a Wise Women in Tough Times", presented by the Northwest Christian Speakers Bureau.  Four women spoke of different "hiccups" and "tsunami" events in their lives. From mice eating their car's electrical wires, to the deaths of an adulterous spouse and their child. Our suffering economy had affected each one of our speakers, some were in danger of losing their homes. 

 And yet, and yet...each were able to claim the promises of God, that He was real and would never leave us, that He loved us and wanted us to grow, mature and thrive. Each trusted, sometimes with both hands lifted to God, and sometimes with only one while the other clutched a package of fear.

Proverbs 14:1 says, "A wise woman builds while a foolish one tears down with her own efforts." The speakers talked of bitter fruit that they themselves demonstrated at various times of their trials. Fruits of: anger, complaining, self-pity, blame, denial, negativity, sarcasm and people pleasing. One told of how her friends were so tired of her complaints and negativity they would bolt when she came near. One loving friend finally asked her for coffee (no meal was offered because that would mean they would have to listen to even more complaining) and told her pretty much that she was a pain in the butt to be around and that her relationship with Christ was suffering. It was a wake-up call and the suffering sister slowly started to build a stronger and more pleasing foundation with the bricks of her trial.

I was blessed so much by these courageous women this weekend. They were real and their trials were deep and ugly.  Yet, the fruits of their spirits were beautiful, focused and mature.  A wise women cultivates a contented heart. Cultivation is an active process, one that chooses hope, not fear. Every day. 

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". I find such comfort in knowing this and the opening notes of spring are a wonderful illustration that this is indeed a promise that can be claimed.