Loving life and the lilacs...aroma of hope!

The grass is a bright green, the sun is shining more often and the days are getting longer.  Spring must be here.  While on a walk around my parent's property with my father we surveyed the different trees, bushes and flowers for new buds.  As we stood near the Christmas tree planted in 95' and compared its size to the lilac tree, and the minimal distance between the two ~ the story began. 

My parents planted the lilac tree near the pine tree "since it wasn't going to make it". Isn't that a hoot...considering the pine flourished and now Dad spends quality time shaping both trees each year so they will be nice neighbors and get along, sharing the lawn between them.  He is doing a wonderful job.

Back to the lilac tree...as we viewed the lilac tree I marveled at the fact of how boring and plain it appeared.  I LOVE lilacs!  They are so beautiful and their aroma takes over the house once cut and placed in a vase.  As the breeze blows off Lake Ontario, it sends the lilacs aroma throughout the yard and into my parents house when the windows are open.  One can't judge a book by its cover or a plant by its winter hibernation.

Something better and more beautiful is coming!  In the weeks to come we will be blessed to watch the brown bark to being replaced with the the delicate purple lilac blossoms.  Good things come to those who wait...we've waited over seventeen years for Heidi to be found - something great is coming our way!  I pray for her return and justice daily and that God would be glorified through the discovery. 

Have  a great day!  Take time to notice the changes around you...God's is removing the muck and grime to reveal the inner beauty of His creations.  Thange transformation  might be in a plant or it might be in a family member, friend or co-worker...just keep your eyes and heart open.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - 18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come:
'The old has gone, the new is here!
All this is from God,
who reconciled us to himself
through Christ and gave us
the ministry of reconciliation:

The first photograph reflects the sleeping lilac, taken last week.  The second was taken last year, prior to my father's pruning and shaping of the tree.  Due to the care, time and attention from my father ~ the lilac will have a new shape and look this year.  It will be stronger and with more definition.  Isn't this what God is doing with us?  Taking time to work in and through us during good times and bad?  It is these times that have the power to strengthen us and transform us into the new creation He sees in us ~ not the person we see in the mirror!  Just like my father can see the beauty of the lilac as he shapes its baren branches, God sees our beauty and uses life to shape us into something far more beautiful than we can imagine! 

Have a great day!  I pray you take time to attend a church service with other believers this morning ~ starting your day first with quiet prayer and home and then with some corporate worship with a Bible-based message of how the Bible still applies to our lives today.  I know I will...a wonderful freedom we have in America - are you taking advantage of this?  I hope so.

Note:  Do you see our Christmas Tree planted in 95' for Heidi peeking and sneaking its way into the lilac?  A very strong and determined tree...thank goodness we didn't give up on it and toss it in the mulch pile.  We trusted and planted...God did the rest!