Speaking through the Garden and Word

In October, breast cancer awareness month,  a dove appeared outside our window the week before my regular mammogram. I had experienced God sending a white dove only once before when I needed encouragement. Through a dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, He let me know his forknowledge of all things in my life ,and that He will not leave me. I took a video of it but, my camera, needing repair did not capture it. My new computer also not working well. Now, I guess I'm the one not working well. My regular mammogram and subsequent biopsy revealed a new primary cancer after 19 cancer free years. God speaks to us through all things. To me it is through our garden.

A year ago I posted this about breast cancer after our daughter-in-law was diagnosed. It now speaks to me and hopefully you.

In September the Lord clearly told me to start a women's Bible study on a regular night at our cottage, and to set aside the time no matter if anyone comes or not. People came and the clear  message has been to us all "Do not be afraid, only believe", "Do not fear. I am with you," repeated consistently before I knew that I had a new primary cancer. How can I not believe He will care for me? I have had peace knowing there was a greater purpose in this all and nothing passes by our Lord without it being for His glory for those who love Him. Although I don't look forward to the treatment, I look forward to this adventure and hope you will join me.

"Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:8-20

Does God speak to you in your garden?

Where do you need hope and encouragement?

Does what I do have lasting value?

Raked, weeded, mulched we started to lay a path with stepping stones

“The greatest thing a generation can do is lay a few stepping stones for the next generation.” Charles Kettering


Our garden stones are neither set secure nor step to somewhere special (We are working on it).
Stepping stones of value I believe must have a secure foothold and lead to something of lasting importance.

I continue to think, “Does what I do have lasting value or not? Do I create an easier pathway for others to follow or a rocky one? Does my life reflect Christ?

Lasting value seems to be first by our faith and dependence on Christ. Anything done by this prerequisite for the lives of our mate, families, our care for children and grandchildren, friends, and in our jobs, our life will be lasting.

  

Many would not know there is a path unless the visible stepping stones are laid in place.
Here are some stepping stones of value that we can set in place for the next generation:

An example of faith in Jesus that stands secure.

1. Love and care of family and friends
2. Prayer for His leading in all things: for our church Fellowship, outreach to the community, our lives.
3. A trust in the Lord for His direction in hard times as well as good.
   
   
   What stepping stones of value do you place in your pathway?

Hand over

Goat transfer via ferry

Last week as we waited for the ferry to head back to our condo, we watched some friends hand off their goat to a purchaser from a different island who took it on the ferry. I must admit that handing over the condo was a lot more difficult. The work involved to get it empty and ready for the tenants was hard and expensive, painters, cleaners, locksmith and new hotwater tap, just a few. We stuffed the remainder of our things in two cars and headed back after handing over the new keys to our first time tenants.

It has been a hard week and we are tired. The piles of stuff wait in our place in the island. As hard as I try to give things away, it doesn't seem to make a dent. We have accumulated too much and this consolidation shows it big time. To make matters worse, the electricity is out in half our cottage, can't be fixed at the circuit breaker and the electrician from another island doesn't hurry for anything. Even the night lights are broken. Now there are just pathways to walk through and barely even a place to sit. The night walking is challenging.

I hand all this over to you, God. We can't handle it ourselves. It is way too stressful. We need your light on us and your strength for the day and even your guidance to the bathroom at night. Thank you for your sense of humor in telling us to take a break and to trust your hand over our lives.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6