I don’t know about you, or where you live, but for the past two nights, IN A ROW!, we’ve had mini-tornados!
The trees that were left standing, after the first night, were ripped from the earth on the second night…unreal. Very much like a Sci-Fi end-of-the world movie, it was Un-nerving.
This morning, we awoke to the hum of chain saws hard at work, with intermittent bird songs and a gloriously- sunny day! And the first thing I thought, was “Joy cometh in the morning…” Psalm 30:5.
Joy, in the morning…
the night before we were sheltered in our basement, watching through windows as the sky turned from yellow to black, watching young trees bend to the ground, and wondering how much damage would be done to our home, to our neighbors’ homes, and praying for protection.
The second storm passed as the first one had, within a few hours. Damage was done, but nothing that couldn’t be repaired or replaced. We were fine, we were grateful.
With my mornings’ cup of coffee in my hand, I went out onto the deck to look for damaged bushes, flowers or herbs. I found no damage, only limp flowers from “over-watering”, and I drained their pots of the excess water.
My herbs: chives, lemon thyme, parsley, rosemary and basil had literally doubled in size! Thick and strong, they had defiantly stood their ground during two storms and had thrived because of it. I felt like such a proud Plant Momma!!
Gathered together in the same large pot, helped shelter them, and kept their stems from being bent and broken. Doesn’t that make sense? I’m sure it helped, we are stronger united than as individuals, right?
Now! My hydrangeas are just starting to bud and bloom, so I do consider that to be a “fragile” time…. but these girls are literally showing off! They are flaunting their new growth; new but fragile blooms are sprouting on each plant. I planted fifteen hydrangeas three years ago, three different types of plants, but all with white blooms. Regardless of the sunlight, or which side of the house they’re on, they are like synchronized swimmers now, budding in unison. So so fun!
This Plant Momma is so impressed with their tenacity, their strength and determination, I really should buy a T-shirt, one of those Crazy Plant Lady shirts, that I’ve been making fun of ever since I saw the first one…. serves me right!
But seriously, I was so impressed by the fragility of tiny buds, that could gently open after a horrific storm. Not only did they survive the storm, but they gained strength and thrived afterwards. Digging their roots deeper, hanging on tighter, they were here to greet the morning’s sun, and I was touched by the sight of it.
I thought, don’t ever consider yourself too fragile, too new, too small, too weak, too damaged or broken, too not-enough, God has a plan for you that is beyond your wildest dreams. He has placed you where you need to be right now, rooted through the storms, and reaching for the sun. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Sweet friends, our lives are full of stormy nights, but surviving those storms is more about how YOU greet the new morning, than the storm itself.
How would you measure strength gained, without measuring the ferocity of the storm? Our amount of strength gained is equal to the obstacles we’ve overcome.
Where does your strength come from?
I can only answer for myself. My faith grows deep. Like the white hydrangeas, I am also deeply rooted. I’ve seen plenty of storms, hardships and heartaches. I’ve spent a good season or two cowering in the basement, seeking shelter and protection, from my own actions more than anything else. Sometimes we really are our own worst enemy.
Our attitudes will direct the course of our days.
More than anything else, I’m grateful. And even then, a daily reminder is sometimes required!
Experiencing “Joy, in the morning,” only comes after we’ve chosen to look for it. Choose daily to dress yourself in a spirit of love and appreciation, thankfulness and gratitude.
We can’t stop the storms from rolling through, but we can focus on the sunrise, the gift of a new day!
With all of that being said, “won’t you raise your mornings’ cup of coffee with me, to toast this new and glorious day?”!!
Make it joyful!
Just sharing “me”,
Hugs!,
