A testimony of Jesus in Seeds

 With spring coming, we have been learning about how to grow different seeds. All of nature testifies of our Creator. The seeds testify of Jesus, and what He went through for us, and also teach us about our growth. 

Jesus said He is the seed that fell to bring new life. In Matthew 13 Jesus gives 3 parables about seeds. I love how Jesus uses simple things in nature to teach us. This is NLT version of the parables. I grew up with the KJV, but the slight change in wording helps it become fresh and makes me think more.

The Sower and the Seeds

"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

We automatically assume that we are the good, fertile soil and that other people are the hard, rocky, thorny soil. If we can see that we can be hardened, rocky, shallow, and filled with thorns- we are more likely to want to change and allow our trials to tutor us. We hope that our heart's soil becomes less hard, less rocky, less filled with thorns and less shallow, and more fertile ground for faith in Jesus to grow. 

The Wheat and the Tares 

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?' "An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed. "Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked. "No',  he replied, 'you'll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn."

The Mustard Seed

"Here is another illustration Jesus used, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches."

The night of the Passover dinner before Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me." John 12:24-26 NLT

Jesus is the seed that we plant in our hearts. Let me tell you a little about seeds, and how they testify of Jesus. Seeds teach us about what Jesus went through for us, and also some of what we go through in following Him.

We have been learning about how to grow microgreens- plants grown in shallow trays with soil. For a time, they are covered, light is blocked and they are weighed down. "The weight forces the tiny seedling to anchor itself in the soil. This produces a stronger and better-rooted plant." (link to quote). This hit me as truth. Do our trials force us to anchor ourselves? To anchor to truth, to Him that is truth, to Jesus?

Another reason microgreens are covered with weight is that it helps the plant to discard the seed's tough shell- the necessary protective covering that has kept the seed from spoiling. There are different methods of applying pressure to the seeds. Some growers use other flats filled with soil and seeds as the weight to encourage growth- they stack seed trays on top of each other. Another method is to put heavy bricks on the seedlings. One grower said they stack growing trays and also put a 15 lb brick on top of the stacks of seed trays. Wow, that's a lot of weight for a tiny seed, it's amazing that they are strong enough to grow and push back under that pressure! You have probably seen a plant growing in a tiny crack of concrete, or in the cracks between rocks. It is amazing plant roots can crack rocks and boulders. 

The darkness causes the seeds to push upward and reach for light. Without the darkness, the seeds wouldn't have to stretch, discard their shells and push through the dirt to reach the light. The darkness of the world causes us to reach for Jesus and the light He is to us. The worse the world becomes, the brighter Jesus' light and love is to us. Our heart is where Jesus' love is meant to grow deep roots. The trials we go through are removing some of the hardness, rockiness, and thorns in our hearts. We may be weighed down at times by the choices of people around us. Most of us have hard shells to shed, our unbelief, our worries about what others think, and our attachment to worldly things. Maybe our shell is our set expectations, and we are learning to trust more in God's plan. 

Not all seeds have tough shells to discard though. Jesus was perfect, humble, honest and direct, yet forgiving and loving. He always directed any praise to Heavenly Father. Like the seeds are weighed down, Jesus bore the weight of all of our sins. Our sins were his weight, we each were part of the pains he suffered. He spared us the crushing effects of our sins by taking on himself our transgressions.

One plant that I collected seeds from last fall was angelica.  I will tell you about how I came across angelica at the end of this post, but it is a special, medicinal plant with tall majestic white flowers. Angelica seeds need to be placed in winter-like conditions before they will sprout.  A month is the minimum time needed for the seeds to sit in a winter climate- if not a real winter, a fridge may work. Many wildflowers have this protective mechanism to prevent the plants from germinating too soon. Even after the cold period, the seeds might take months to sprout. Waiting, nurturing the seed, hoping and wondering if they will grow at all, is how some very special plants grow. Having children teaches us a lot about the waiting, hoping, and wondering that is a key part of the faith. 

Jesus was at peace in His Father's timing. He waited for the timing to be right for his mission and for the miracles he performed. I wonder what led his mother, Mary, to ask Jesus to intervene at the wedding in Cana, when the wine ran out. It was Jesus' first public miracle. It is interesting that Jesus turned the water to wine after the man-made supply had run out.  Had Mary seen Jesus do miracles in their home? Jesus grew in learning and wisdom, waiting for the right time to begin his mission. For us, timing for answered prayers or waited blessings is something we wrestle with. Patience with the uncertainty of our trials, and being at peace in God's care and His timetable is a critical key to following the Lord. Jesus' words in the Lord's prayer, asking for daily bread, are a reminder to ask the Lord for strength to get through today, to trust God for daily support, just as the little birds trust God.  

Some seeds, like nasturtiums, sweet peas and others, are put through scarification, they are scarred, before they are planted. Growers will get sandpaper and scar the seeds so that they will sprout. Wow, this really reminds me of Jesus and his scars for us. Isaiah says "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5. 

Some seeds are unlocked with intense heat, like forest fires. Evergreen trees of certain kinds have pine cones that are covered with a protective waxy resin, they are known as serotinous cones. The fires and intense heat melt the protective resin and open the pinecones where the seeds are stored. 

When we had forest fires close to us, after gathering up our families, we anxiously watched news of the fires from a safe distance. When Jesus faced his last few days, his trial, terrible scourging, and crucifixion, most of his disciples fled, like we flee from forest fires. They watched anxiously from a safer distance, as Jesus went through fire for all of us. Jesus had the ability to leave, but he stayed to bear our sins. Like the pine cone opened up for seeds and new life to grow, Jesus was stretched open on the cross to give us new life. When someone is suffering intensely, a natural instinct is to curl up tightly in fetal position. If you have ever seen someone you love like that, you can't ever forget. All other comforts gone, every means of reassurance exhausted except for the ability to feel arms hugging knees, protectively pressed into a tearful face. How painful it must have been for Jesus after being scourged and whipped, then to be stretched wide open, nailed to a cross. When we are in pain, most of us turn inward, focusing on ourselves. Jesus was focused on others, being open and aware of those around him, loving and forgiving as he was suffering. It is significant that it is evergreen trees who have pinecones that are opened up with fire to bring forth new life. Evergreen trees remind us of Jesus love- these trees don't lose their leaves with the seasons, they are always green. Jesus loves is like that.

Jesus is the seed that went through fire for us to give us new life. How thankful we are that he overcame all things, even death, and resurrected for each one of us. 

Jesus also stays with us in our personal trials, he is in the fire with us, like he was for Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego (Daniel 3). Maybe you feel like you are in the fire. Ask the Lord in prayer how He is helping you, I bet He can't wait to show you that He is with you, carrying you when you need it. Trust that something new and good will come. Knowing He is with us makes the hard things lose their bitterness. 

Some seeds of flowers require the heat, smoke and the charred alkaline remains of a forest fire to grow, like fire poppies, mountain mallows, fireweed, arnica. These flowers are so colorful and beautiful, their petals look like fair wings healing the forest. These seeds can wait for decades before the conditions are right to sprout. That is a really long time to wait! Interestingly, some of the flowers that grow after fires are cooling, soothing medicinal plants you could apply to a burn. God always provides healing and help! His help is always on time. The Lord is faithful to his promises, and out of the ashes he brings forth beauty. 

Mountain mallows by Heidi Brinkerhoff Rohner

Fireweed

Some seeds grow best in disturbed soil.  Sunflowers love to grow in areas that are disturbed. In our area, after the forest fires, there was danger of flooding. Machinery was brought in to create berms and ditches to contain flooding runoff. Where bulldozers came through, those areas grew a wide path or field of sunflowers the following year. For Jesus, his friends and family, surely it seemed like his death was the end, Jesus had been removed from the land of the living in the most painful way possible. But Jesus resurrection was only a few days away from his crucifixion. Tears were turned to joy that he lives! Does it seem your soil has been bulldozed? There is something special in the works, God turns all things for our good.

Let me finish telling you about the angelica seeds that I mentioned earlier. It is interesting that the Lord loves us and knows what touches our hearts! At the right moments for us individually, He gives us reminders of his love. A couple years ago for my birthday, we walked around a mountain lake, the kids skipped rocks, we enjoyed the sunset, and it was a wonderful evening. With a large family it is hard to get everyone together, and usually at least one or two people are having a rough or grumpy time. It was a rare moment for us to be together, happy, and in a beautiful place. There were some delicate white flowers that were on one side of the lake, they were tall and beautiful, I had to take a few pictures. When I got home and looked them up, I couldn't tell if the white blossoms were angelica or their poisonous look-alike. I forgot about our walk around the lake, and the white flowers as other things came up. The following year, a friend was giving an herb walk at this same lake. I went, and she stopped at the same spot I had taken pictures of the year before to point out the white flowers. She taught us how to tell the difference between the amazing angelica plant and the look-alike- poison hemlock. They were growing close to each other. She pointed out the features that tell them apart- shape of leaves, smell, hair on leaves, color of the stalks. During the Black Plague, a Benedictine monk was given a dream where an angel told him to use this plant to help people with the plague. That is why the plant was named Angelica Archangelica. In Europe, angelica is candied and used to flavor pastries and flavor alcohol, and it is also used medicinally by many. I had completely forgotten about our family's walk around the lake a year before and my desire to learn about the white flowers, until I went back through my pictures, and found the angelica flowers from the year before. The Lord knew the desire of my heart to know about these flowers, and a year later gave me that gift. I was amazed at the Lord's love and goodness to me. I had forgotten, but He hadn't, He remembered me. It spoke right to my heart. He knows our interests and speaks each of our love languages. He speaks your love language. I hope you can see the Lord's individual love for you, and how He knows you so well. He knows every thought, every worry. Even every hair on our heads and every tiny ridge in our fingerprint is loved and known by Him. 

Angelica Archangelica

When you are going through a trial, remember the seeds. They teach us how darkness and uncertainty are needed to grow strong roots. The darkness helps us reach for light, for Jesus that is our Light. The seeds teach us about being patient, and having hope and faith when we are in the dark, and discarding the tough shells that keep us from growing. Seeds teach us that Jesus made small things strong, we can grow under pressure. Most important though, seeds remind us of what Jesus went through for each of us. Jesus was scarred for us, went through fire at his crucifixion for us, and resurrected to overcome death for us. All of nature testifies of Christ and praises him! 

Trees and Chickadees

Little birds are amazing in their resilience. It is always mind-boggling to me that they can survive winter storms, where do they go? How did the Lord make them so that warm blood flows in their tiny toothpick legs when everything else is frozen? My feet are always cold, I wonder how the little birds feet stay warm. One day I was walking, I had been asking the Lord to help me, I need his reassurance, peace, and help so often. On this walk, I noticed that every time I came closer to small birds, they flew up to a higher place, like a pine tree. The Lord told me he wants me to be like the little birds that are always returning to their tree for safety. He wants to be my safe place, and where I constantly return when I need peace and reassurance. Like the pine trees, with branches that are green all year, his love is always there for me. 

Another time I went on a walk, as a strong wind was ushering in a heavy winter storm.  Tiny balls of ice and snow had begun to pelt the ground. Being outside while wind and clouds are gathering for a storm is awesome if you are dressed warm. I passed a wide and towering evergreen tree with snow and icicles on its thick branches. Close to the trunk of the tree, out of the wind, was a little black and white chickadee. This little bird was chirping insistently, and looking right at me. It kept chirping as if it had a message for me. It seemed to say, "I'm OK, I'm safe, here by my tree." Jesus is our safe place, our shelter, our hiding place, especially in the trials we go through. 

Chickadees are small, and might seem insignificant, but they are hopeful, joyful, and resilient. It is amazing to me that they can survive the cold temperatures and winter snow. How do they keep warm when they are smaller than the palm of my hand? God made them to survive the winters. They glorify God just by being themselves- the joy and trust in God they convey, is hopeful.

Wherever you are, know that Jesus wants to be with you through the storm and in the sunshine too. He paid the ultimate price so that he could do that for you and me. 

He wants to be our shelter and safety, because He's the only way we'll get through life OK. He is the Way and the Truth. He is the Wonderful Counselor who wants to lead you through your trials. Others might not understand, but He does.

After big snowstorms, it is interesting to watch the snow melt from the snowbanks on the hills and mountains. The water runs down the streets and in the gutters, in small rippling waves that just keep coming, all hours of the day and night.  Just as the snow can't help running down the mountain, the Lord's love can't be stopped from flowing toward his children. We are never far from his love, because his love is the very force that gives us breath and life.

God's Love and Snow

My husband's father passed away due to the effects of a stroke earlier this winter. We were all heartbroken, it felt sudden and way too soon. On the day of his funeral, a heavy snowstorm covered everything with a foot and a half of snow. The next day, we went out to shovel the snow off of our driveway. Every twig, every branch of every tree was outlined by white snow. It hadn't melted yet, or been blown away by the snow. Normally snow does not stay more than a few hours undisturbed on the oak trees' twigs and branches. Temperatures change quickly and the wind comes up, or the sun comes out and melts the snow off the twigs and branches, even though the snow stays on the ground much longer. But this snow stayed on every twig of every tree, for 2-3 days. It was beautiful and unusual. It reminded me that just as the snow covered every detail, God's love for us is over every detail in our lives. Because of what we had just been through, we felt loved and felt hope in seeing the snow.

I had seen snow like this before, it was meaningful to me. It was several years ago, a few days before our daughter's biggest surgery. The surgery ahead of her at that time would be complicated and long, and the details of how it could be done were unclear to me. I was worried about so many things- the surgery and complications, leaving our kids at home, staying at the hospital for an extended time.  A few days before the surgery, it snowed heavily. Every detail of every branch was covered with beautiful white snow, and the snow didn't melt for a couple days, which is rare. I felt that in the snow was a personal message for me. Every detail of our daughter's surgery and the next few weeks would be covered by the Lord's love for us, just like the snow was covering every twig of every tree. I hung on to that hope and love because I needed it! And it was true, the surgery went well. Everything that we could have thought of and more was taken care of by the Lord. There were difficult moments, but we could feel the Lord helping us and blessing us.

Snow several years ago, a few days before our daughter's surgery

When I saw the snow on the day of my father-in-law's funeral, especially how it stayed on the branches like it did just before our daughter's surgery, I knew that there was something special about the snow. It was reminding us that Heavenly Father's love covers every detail in our lives. He knows.

Jesus compared himself to a grain of wheat, a seed, that had to die to give others life. "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harvest of new lives." John 12:20 NLT.  It is interesting to see the different translations of this verse, other translations say a grain falls to the ground and dies. The NLT translates it as a kernel of wheat is "planted". This shows our Heavenly Parents and Jesus' loving intentions for us, in his sacrifice. 

It is easy to think of Jesus when we see seeds on trees and flowers. I especially love to see how the birds are provided for by the seeds. There is a tree with little red berries in our yard, the berries are the seeds of the tree. The day of the funeral, when it snowed so heavily, the red berries were weighed down with heavy snow that looked like snow cones. Small icicles that looked like teardrops were forming on the berries. The berries reminded me that Jesus carries our burdens, weeps with us, and also offers himself to give us life. 

My friend shared this about icicles: In symbolism, icicles remind one to be still - they count the passage of time with each drop of water they emit. Be still and know that I am God. 

A few weeks later, I was still processing everything that happened when Grandpa passed away, and was out on a walk. I passed some dried-out sunflowers. I thought of the beautiful sunflowers and the changes they had gone through since summer. The bright yellow petals of the sunflowers had fallen off, the stems and leaves had lost their green vibrance, the stems had dried out, and they were standing in 2 feet of snow.  It's too bad that the days of summer glory are past for the sunflower, I thought. Then it seemed that the flowers replied, "These are my glory days, I get to feed the little birds in winter!" It surprised me, and made me think of the small and big things we do to take care of each other, it is an honor to do what we can to help others. It also made me think of Jesus, and the price he paid suffering for our sins. 

Did Jesus feel that way about his suffering for us? Did he look at his sacrifice like that? In Jesus' hardest moments, he was feeding us, giving us life. Maybe it is in our winter times, our personal difficulties, that Jesus' love shines the brightest, and we are most grateful for his unchanging love for us. Those are the times when we realize how much God is caring for us and aware of every detail in our lives. In our times of darkness, his light shines the brightest. Our hope is in Jesus and his promises.

I hope that whatever difficulties you have in your life, you can see God's love shining just for you. And that you find opportunities to pass his love on. 

Fires and Flowers

Three years ago, a huge fire tore through the mountains behind our home. The towns closest to the fires were evacuated as firemen stayed behind to fight the flames. 

After the fires were out and it was safe to come back, people went up the canyons to see the heartbreaking devastation. It was the next summer before we went. Seeing the destruction, we wondered how many decades it would be before the forests we love were healed. Thankfully there are patches that the fires missed. This summer in the same canyons and mountains, wild mallows and wild hollyhocks blossomed in the burnt areas of the forests. These are part of the mallow family. The contrast of burnt, black trees and pink and white mallow blossoms was beautiful. The mallows delicate pink and white flower petals lit up as the sun shone through them. The flower petals looked like fairy wings hovering in the burnt forest.  The flowers felt hopeful. Mother Nature was healing the burn scars with the same herbs we would put on a burn or wound- plants from the mallow family.

What is growing in the mountains is not as coincidental as I once thought. God put his healing and help in the plants for us. One herbalist said that the flowers in the mountains grow specifically for the illnesses that come in the winter. If you see a lot of flowers in the mountains, the flowers might be there to help us overcome the winter illnesses later that year. It is interesting that what we need is provided by God in nature, even before we need it. 

When one of our children was a baby, I was trying to take a video of him. Our 4-year-old jumped up and down with his hand up, yelling, "Take a picture of me! Take a picture of me!" Sometimes when I am walking, a plant will call my attention, seeming to say, "Take a picture of me! Take a picture of me!" I want to tell you about a mallow plant that called my attention like that.  

In late spring, we went to a large cross on a hill overlooking the valley. It was just an activity to get us out of the house, something we all needed. Around the cross, is mostly just dirt and rocks, although there are many plants on the way there. 

Snowy mountain top and hill with a cross

As we were coming back from the cross, the first flower that was on the trail was a reddish-orange flower. This little plant with reddish-orange flowers was calling my attention as plainly as if it were jumping up and down and yelling "Take a picture of me! Take a picture of me!" It had something to tell me, but I didn't know what it was or recognize the plant. 

Scarlet Globemallow

I stooped down and took its picture. When I got home I looked it up on a plant identification app. It was scarlet globemallow. This resilient plant thrives in neglected soil, in dry, harsh conditions. It needs very little water or care to grow, it grows to be less than 1 foot tall. The name scarlet globemallow reminded me of the scripture, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18. The name scarlet globemallow, is very much like the Spanish word for red blood cells. Red blood cells are known as "globulos rojos" in Spanish, meaning red globes.  I couldn't help but think of Jesus' blood that was shed for us, was what the plant was communicating. I grew up speaking Spanish, the Lord was using what is familiar to me- like he does for each of us. This scarlet globemallow flower wanted to be seen and noticed there, it had something to tell me. 

Going through my notes of past herb walks, I came across this information about the mallow family, from Homegrown Herbalist. The mallow family motto is "It's OK, we can get through this." Mallows are added to almost every herbal formula because they have soothing, cooling, and mending properties that make them wonderful healers. The flowers, stems, and leaves are all medicinal and useful, but the strongest medicine is in the mallow roots. It hit me that the message of the scarlet globemallow and mallows in the burnt forests was more than I had first understood. They were testifying of Jesus and forgiveness, and there was a message of hope, "It's OK, we can get through this." I was stunned by the intelligence, love, and testimony of Jesus in the mallow plants God created. Putting the pieces of the scarlet globemallow's message together, "Though your sins are like scarlet, because Jesus gave his blood for us, it will be OK and we can get through this."

Sometimes what's hardest to get through is our own sins and shortcomings. For me the times when I act in anger and impatience, hurting those that matter most to me, are the most discouraging. When Jesus talked about loving others, the real testing and application of love for God is within our homes and families. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34 ESV. Matthews also records Jesus saying, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Matthew 25:40. How humbling it is when we get it wrong with the people that matter most to us. Don't worry, my family is OK. I just wish I didn't lose my temper so often.

When Jesus was on the earth, when he healed people, he also forgave them. "Sins" is what we knowingly do wrong, but also refers to our human, mortal condition. The trying to do what's right but getting it terribly wrong at times, the exhaustion, the doubting, all of what afflicts us in this fallen world. All of those mortal weaknesses will be made right because of Jesus. 

In God's creations are messages of hope for us, like the scarlet globemallow and the mallows in the burnt forest, "Though your sins are like scarlet, because Jesus gave his blood for us, it will be OK and we can get through this." 

Jesus' teachings the Passover night before he was arrested (John12-17) are the most beautiful, profound, and comforting teachings. He told his friends that in the world they would have trials and sorrow, but in him, they would have peace. "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Jesus' peace carries you and me through the sorrows and trials of this world. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27. 

On that Passover evening, Jesus talked to his disciples about his coming death, and the suffering they all had ahead of them. He told them it was like when a woman's time has come, and she knows she will experience the pains of labor. She is grieved because of the pain, but when the child is born, she forgets her pain because of joy that a child is born. "When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." John 16:21-22. The closest women in Jesus' life, like his mother and Mary, would have understood Jesus' explanation about birthing pains and the joy that follows birth. I think the women that were closest to Jesus were also present at the Last Supper, they were witnesses to his crucifixion and resurrection as well. Perhaps Jesus' remarks about women suffering childbirth were to honor his mother. Mary was misunderstood and rejected, and she suffered great pain in giving Jesus life. Jesus was about to suffer great pain to give us life.

Mary and Baby Jesus by Jean Keaton

I wonder how Jesus' friends, his mother and family felt witnessing the terrible events that led to his death. They were close witnesses of Jesus' betrayal and arrest, the scourging, the crown of thorns, watching him carry his cross, and then watching his agonizing crucifixion. How could his mother and friends witness those terrible scenes without going crazy? This article had a good take on it, I highly recommend reading it. Jesus' mother and friends were witnesses to his death, but more importantly, they witnessed his resurrection and triumph for all of us. Yet in those moments of Jesus' suffering, feeling anger, fear, the impulse to fight back, would have been very normal responses. Peter's drawing of his sword to defend Jesus in the olive grove is very understandable. Jesus had his Father's will to do, and he told Peter to put his sword away. I asked the Lord how his friends and family were able to bear watching him suffer. The answer I received was, they kept their eyes and focus on Jesus and what He was doing. They took their cues from Jesus, in how he was handling all of it, he was teaching them in his suffering. He was in control even in those terrible moments, remaining true to his Father and true to us. Remembering Jesus' sacrifice and his life given for us puts any of our trials into perspective. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is critical for us too. What is Jesus doing, what is Jesus working on today, when the world seems like it's going crazy? What work is He doing now in your life? Do I trust that he is still in control? Do I trust that Jesus has overcome the world, and won the victory for us? Teaching us to trust Him more is a big theme for many of us.

How can we keep our focus and attention more on Jesus, and the work he is doing today? What messages of hope do you see that Jesus has placed around us? In what ways have you felt angels lifting and healing influences, like the mallow flowers healing the burnt forests? 

I like this song "Another in the Fire" (link to the song). The author of this song wrote it after receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis for his child. He uses the word "reckoning" to describe that challenge. To me "reckoning" is a good word to describe a challenge, it means facing myself, my beliefs, and my weaknesses. Jesus does not ever leave us alone in the challenges. The phrase "another in the fire" refers to the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3. They were thrown in the king's furnace for not bowing to and worshipping the king's idol. Jesus saved them from dying in the fiery furnace and stood in the fire with them. The king who had condemned them to death by the fiery furnace saw "another in the fire" with them that looked like the Son of God. 

I hope we can keep our focus on Jesus and what he is doing. Because we believe in Jesus, we trust that incredible joy will follow the birth pains that precede Jesus' return. 

LYRICS:
Verse 1
There's a grace when the heart is under fire 
Another way when the walls are closing in 
And when I look at the space between 
Where I used to be and this reckoning 
I know I will never be alone

CHORUS 1 
There was another in the fire standing next to me 
There was another in the waters holding back the seas 
And should I ever need reminding 
Of how I've been set free 
There is a cross that bears the burden 
Where another died for me 
There is another in the fire    

VERSE 2
All my debt left for dead beneath the waters 
I'm no longer a slave to my sin anymore 
And should I fall in the space between 
What remains of me and this reckoning 
Either way I won't bow to the things of this world 
And I know I will never be alone

CHORUS 2 
There is another in the fire standing next to me 
There is another in the waters holding back the seas 
And should I ever need reminding
What power set me free 
There is a grave that holds no body 
And now that power lives in me
There is another in the fire    
Tag
There is another in the fire    

BRIDGE
And I can see the light in the darkness
As the darkness bows to Him 
I can hear the roar in the heavens 
As the space between wears thin 
I can feel the ground shake beneath us 
As the prison walls cave in 
Nothing stands between us 
Nothing stands between us 

VERSE 3
There is no other name but the Name that is Jesus 
He who was and still is and will be through it all 
So come what may in the space between 
All the things unseen and this reckoning 
I know I will never be alone 
I know I will never be alone 

CHORUS 3
There'll be another in the fire standing next to me 
There'll be another in the waters holding back the seas 
And should I ever need reminding 
How good You've been to me  
I'll count the joy come every battle 
'Cause I know that's where You'll be
Tag 
I'll count the joy come every battle 
'Cause I know that's where You'll be

Hope and Pruning

When I look at the news, it is very discouraging, but in nature, hope is everywhere. Hope is in the waves of yellow flowers that blanket the hillsides from early spring to late fall. Yellow means hope and joy. Maybe the Lord knows we need many reminders to be hopeful and joyful, so he blankets the hillsides many times each year with yellow flowers.

Early spring flowers- arrowleaf balsam root flowers with snowy mountain in background

Dandelion

Spring flowers teach us to draw strength from our roots, they are nourishing and help us wake up and get things moving (dandelion, arrowleaf balsam root). 

Late spring flowers on hillside

Fall flowers teach us to find healing and rest in letting go, releasing what is stagnant or excessive in us (golden rod, gum weed). 

Gumweed, a wonderful medicinal plant

Sunflowers remind me that God feeds his little birds even in winter. The seeds in the sunflowers stand tall in snowstorms, the seeds are food for birds. Sunflowers tell us that God provides for his creations, we can trust his care in the storms of our lives. 

Late summer sunflowers and mountains

When I look at nature, it reminds me we have a wonderful God that thinks of every detail. We can trust in his care. He deserves our trust and love 100%. There is nothing he does not notice, he is our Creator and Savior.

How does the Lord speak to you? What is it that stirs your heart to think of the greatness of the Lord and his promises? For some, it might be music, gardening, yoga or running. I listened to a young woman speak about finding God in competitive boxing. I suspect that where we find God is as diverse as we are as people. For me it is being outside in nature. I walk outside when I am frustrated, can't make sense of something, or just need some fresh air and to connect with our Creator.  I often need the better perspective that being in nature offers. 

I want to tell you about a nectarine tree that we started from a seed, from a fruit we bought at the grocery store, because in some ways I am like the tree. The original nectarine had a floral sweetness, with white flesh and red skin. Our tree has grown from seedling to a mature tree. Despite being very large, our tree will only produce 4-5 fruits that are quite marked with scars. It seems to be plagued by many pests and diseases. Seeing how often we water it and take care of it, it should be producing more. Much smaller trees will give us many gallons of fruit. We had one good harvest many years ago- it was awesome. We have been working towards another good harvest for years. 

We have tried all the natural remedies. We fertilize it in the fall and spring, and deep water it all summer. Every spring we prune it. My dad helped me to spray it and get some of the pests that bother it under control, but it still grew hardly any fruit last year. This spring, standing next to the tree I asked the Lord if we should cut it down. The Lord told me this tree needs more frequent pruning, not the once-a-year spring pruning of the other fruit trees. It sends all of its energy to branches that shoot straight up and don't produce fruit, those need to be cut down more often. It's probably competing with the neighboring trees to be a shade tree instead of a fruit tree. As I was pruning this tree for probably 10th time this season, I wondered if I was done pruning. I heard the nectarine tree tell me "Yes, you're done! That's enough pruning!" It still had many, many fruitless branches shooting straight up all over. I felt bad to break off so many of the shooter branches. As I broke the shooters off the tree, I told it, "You are a fruit tree, not a shade tree. We want to enjoy your fruit, that is why you are planted here, not for shade. I don't want to lose you because you don't have any fruit." The pruned branches are collected and thrown away or saved for a campfire.  This year the tree has given us more fruit, and we have loved the fruit, although it is still heavily scarred. We will keep working with the tree for a better harvest.  

The Lord told me that I am like this tree, he has to remind me often to put my energy toward the fruit, not the leafy but barren branches. What is the fruit that the Lord wants from me? What is the fruit that the Lord wants most from you? Coming to know the Lord and having a close personal relationship with him is the fruit. Coming to taste and know the sweetness of his love. Sharing his love with my husband and children first and then family and friends is also part of the fruit harvest. 

Sometimes it is hard to be the pruned tree, to see branches broken off. If you ask the Lord to show you where you need to change and where you are wrong, he will! One time I was feeling discouraged about some challenges as I was walking. It was a cloudy day, but on a hillside not too far away, I saw the sunlight fall on some peach trees that were blooming with pink flowers. The Lord told me he loves peach trees because they are willing to be pruned. 

When God's plans are different than our own, it can be sobering and humbling. It reminds us that we are always in his hands, the clay that needs molding. I told the Lord that being pruned and shown my weaknesses hurts. He told me that everything he does is out of love for us. I can trust in his care and be at peace in him. 

It is easy to trust in the Lord when everything is going well in our lives. How is our trust in Him when our comfortable, predictable lives are turned upside down? I think about the Christians in Afghanistan, would I have faith in the Lord if it endangered my life or my family?  Having the kind of relationship with God that you trust him in every situation, and you find peace in his love is the goal. He is our comfort, our fortress, our hiding place. There can be hope and peace even in dark times.

Sunset with yellow flowers, trees and mountains

What are we to hope in? Our hope is in Christ. Our faith and hope is that Christ will take us by the hand and lead us through whatever challenges lie ahead. The scriptures tell us that more turmoil lies ahead before the coming of the Lord, but we can be at peace in him and his individual care for us. 

The followers of Jesus that watched him be arrested, scourged, beaten, nailed to a tree and crucified must have felt like their hope had vanished. In the cruel agony of those moments, they didn't realize they had witnessed the most sublime act of love ever. Our Creator and God gave his life willingly for us, not saving his own life, though he had saved others. In the cruel cross was the triumph of Jesus' love and spirit over flesh, the greatest victory earth has known. In the willing gift of his life and blood was birthed hope and new life for us. The moment of earth's greatest loss and pain became the moment of love's greatest victory, Jesus overcame it all. This was followed by his resurrection, where death for all of us was overcome by Jesus. In Jesus and his victory is our hope. 

Moments that to us may feel hopeless and cruel may actually be birthing something greater than we can see in the moment. Surely our faith in the Lord and his return will not be unchallenged or untried. But God is still here for us, he does not lie. His promises are sure. He will uphold those who love him. 

What scriptures give you hope? What in nature gives you hope? I would love to hear!

Last year I compiled a list of scriptures with pictures for homeschool handwriting practice. What comfort is found in God's words and promises!

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken . . . " Isaiah 54:10

"Mightier than the waves of the sea is his love for you." Psalm 93:4

"Depend on the Lord; trust him, and he will take care of you." Psalm 37:5

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for what He has done . . . Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worth of praise." Philippians 4: 6-8

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him." Psalm 62:1

"The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He'll never desert you. So don't be afraid. Don't lose hope." Deuteronomy 31:8

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"The battle is not ours, but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15

"Lord you made the heavens and the earth with your great power, there is nothing too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn't faint or grow weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak and increases the strength of him who has no might." Isaiah 40:28-29

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love him." I Corinthians 2:9

"What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

"When you pass through the waters I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:24-25

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." 2 Peter 1:3

"I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:8

"Don't let your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me." John 14:1

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

"Lord, renew my energy when I feel tired and weak." Psalm 103:5

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." Psalms 42:11

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act." Psalm 37:7

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars: he calls them all by name." Psalm 147:3-4

"Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you." James 4:8

"Look at the birds of the air that they do not sow, neither do they reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they:" Matthew 6:26

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

"He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

"Behold I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16

"Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

"Behold God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

"I love the Lord, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live." Psalm 116:1-2

Broken Tree Limbs and God's Healing

Trees are amazing. They provide shade in the heat, wood for our homes, fruit for food. A few times I have felt the Lord using trees to teach me, God put some special lessons in trees.

An evergreen tree's resin has a wonderful smell but is very sticky. Recently on an herb walk, I learned that evergreen resin is also very healing. It was anciently used for healing wounds, and herbalists still collect the resin to make healing salves.

When a tree's limb or branch is broken off,  the wound causes the tree to reach down to its roots to draw on the healing properties deep inside it. Whether the broken limb or insect boring a hole into the tree, the wound brings forth the healing properties from the depths of the tree's roots. That made me think about wounds in trees and in people. 

At times you or I might feel like the tree that loses a limb and mourn for a loss in our life, or an unexpected trial. For many of us, this year has been so hard- we miss the simpler times. Our challenge might feel like we've lost a limb, a vital part of us that we depended on is gone- a relationship, a job, health. It may feel like our trial doesn't make sense, and seem impossible for the trial to be turned into anything good. The difficult things in our lives make us reach deeper to our roots for healing, for Jesus, our Master Healer, the Balm of Gilead. We find Him there- waiting for us, in the hurting and the praying. The trial becomes part of our healing if it brings us to know the Lord better. 

A while back I was diagnosed with diabetes. Thinking diabetes would be lifelong, I felt terrible about it. I asked the Lord why I got diabetes, I had been trying to be healthy. He told me that he wanted more time to walk with me. What?! That was amazing to me.  Why would He want to walk with me?  Doesn't he hear me yelling at my kids, complaining about unimportant things, and know what a mess I can be? He knows I need Him. That is why he walks with me and you, even if we aren't worthy of Him. I began walking more and asking the Lord to walk with me. Spending more time talking to the Lord has brought so much more peace into my life. Jesus helps me straighten out the messes I get myself into regularly. Thankfully my brothers who work in healthcare helped me with diet and exercise tips and I no longer have diabetes. I never knew it was reversible, but it is, thank the Lord! I realized how much I need Jesus to be part of my life, to give me guidance and peace.

After learning about how amazing tree resin is, I noticed more carefully what the trees do when they lose a branch. We walked through an aspen grove with my kids. Aspen trees have white, chalky bark that is smooth like paper. When branches are broken off of the aspen, the aspen tree heals its wound. The shape that is left on the aspen's bark where a limb was broken is an eye. 

The Lord showed me that where there is a  loss, is the opportunity for eyes to see more clearly. To see more of the Lord's hand and design for growth. To reach upwards more than before. Our trials make us see God moving in our lives. In the trials we see that He has been there all the time. 

We are so dependent on Him for everything, but we don't realize it until we are brought to our knees. His love and sustenance is lent to us, it is in every breath, in every heartbeat. His love is what sustains us and keeps us alive from minute to minute. We don't see Him sustaining us because we mistakenly rely on other more tangible things. When the tangible, physical thing we rely on are taken away we can see that our support and everything we have comes from the Lord, He has been sustaining us our whole life. Jesus alone stands unchanging, firm, always there for you and me. We see Him better when we are stumbling to get through a challenge. The trials also give us appreciation and compassion for what many others have gone through. I had not felt so keenly my dependence on God until trials let me see where my help comes from- it is all from God. None of it is of my own making. 

Returning to the aspen tree, once I asked the Lord why it was called a quaking aspen. The aspen leaves shake and quiver with the slightest breeze, always rustling and moving. I asked, "Why does it quake? Is it afraid?" The Lord answered me, "Why don't you ask the tree?" I had never thought of asking a tree and actually receiving an answer, but I asked. "Why are you quaking?" The tree answered, "Joy! Joy for the coming blessings, for the coming of the Lord!" It made me want to be less fearful of what the future holds and more joyful and trusting in the Lord.

Another time on a walk, I was feeling like I was on the outside. Trials can sometimes leave you feeling like you are not part of some circles anymore. What you worry about is suddenly very different from what other people are worried about and talk about. Surely the devil fully exploits this to make us feel divided, alienated, and alone. Everyone has challenges and worries, they are just different ones. Our enemy is not each other, but the devil. This day on a walk, I was wondering if I was on the outside of God's favor, or love, just as I felt on the outside in some circles. I asked the Lord if this was true. He told me to look at an oak tree that I was walking past. He asked me where the acorns were on the branches. 

Looking at the branches, I could see that the oak tree holds the acorns close, in the center of the branches. He told me that is how He feels about me. For Him, we are the center of his thoughts, his work and his creation. We are His seed. We have his full attention and love. We are not on the outside, we are in the very center. Then he had me look at a sunflower and notice where the seeds are. 

The sunflower's seeds are in the center, similar to most flowers and fruits. The Lord's children are always at the center of his love, his attention, and care. The Lord's creations tell us of his love for us. His love surrounds us. His love is deep within our roots, and we are never far from His love.

I listened to a speaker talk (link) about Psalm 23- it is the Psalm that starts with "The Lord is my Shepherd". He talked about the phrase "He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies." 

The Lord doesn't always remove us from our enemies, as much as we pray for the challenges to be removed far from us. Often the Lord walks with us through them, giving us what we need for the moment, reminding us of his love, instead of taking away the trial immediately. In the presence of our enemies, a table is prepared for us by our Lord. Wow, Jesus, our Shepherd, prepares a table for us, in the presence of our enemies. What amount of thanks would be enough? 

Whatever challenges you are facing, or whatever lies ahead for you or me, the Lord is working in the challenges. There is something special in the waiting, the praying, the hurting, and relying on God. Trust and faith in the Lord grows to become knowledge that He is aware of us and providing for us. Others may not understand all you are going through, but He does. Others may not have the answers, but He does. Jesus' delight is to be with us in overcoming the struggles we face.  All glory, honor, and praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who overcomes everything. 

My husband, Edward, shared this song with our children recently. I love the message that Jesus is there "in the waiting, in the searching, in the healing and the hurting." Jesus is the "blessing buried in the broken pieces." Having our world turn upside down helps us to see what really matters- Jesus and our relationship with him is what matters most. I also love the part in the song that says "Where I've been and where I'm going, even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it, There was Jesus." Here is a link to the song in case the video doesn't show up. 

There Was Jesus 

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton (Cover), Better Than Kings

Every time I tried to make it on my own

Every time I tried to stand and start to fall

And all those lonely roads that I have traveled on

There was Jesus

When the life I built came crashing to the ground

When the friends I had were nowhere to be found

I couldn't see it then but I can see it now

There was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I've been and where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace 

For forgiveness at a price I couldn't pay 

I'm not perfect so I thank God every day

There was Jesus, there was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I've been and where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus)

In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus)

In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)

Always is and always was

No I never walk alone (Never walk alone)

You are always there

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute (Every minute), every moment (Every moment)

Where I've been and where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

There was Jesus

There was Jesus