Surrounded...

Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
The Lord will guide you continually,
      giving you water when you are dry
      and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
      like an ever-flowing spring.

For many of us the rain has been continuous and generous in its blessing to us.  The puddles have turned into lakes and lawns into ponds.  Ducks are confused and swimming in the neighbor’s lawn instead of the creek raging next to our home.  Yet without all this water our wells would not remain at full capacity all summer and the grass wouldn't be the bright green we are accustomed to through the scorching month of August. 

While the rain might be a nuisance today...it will be a blessing in the months to come. Flowers will grow and blossom.  Lawns will need to be mowed.  Sprinklers will moisten the laughing children at the park. Beaches will overflow with families taking an afternoon to enjoy each other's company.  Most importantly...Jesus is our living water!

My daughter captured this beautiful shot last week (So talented!) and I told her, "Ah...I know exactly how this relates to our Christian lives and see a blog in the near future." This beautiful holly bush hasn’t quite awakened this spring but that is okay.  In its proper time, it will be one of the most beautiful bushes along my father’s property line.  Do you remember the blog about the daffodils? They had moved the rocks of life out of their way to continue growing and being an inspiration for us all, in spite of the rocks surrounding them? 

Take a closer look at this holly bush.  It isn’t only surrounded by water but under the water, an array of beautiful smooth stones.  Just like the daffodil, this holly bush is one of God’s creation and will thrive and survive…surrounded by Jesus, its living water.  It didn’t let the rocks stop it or throw the rocks out of its path.  The rocks in our life make us the people we are today.  We can’t hide them or throw them in a pile out back, eventually those rocks return.  Instead of piling the rocks of life up, let Jesus smooth those rocks into beautiful stones.  When surrounded by the smooth and colorful exterior of these stones we can remember how far we come. 

Instead of focusing on the rocks, let Jesus smooth them into the stones that have made you the beautiful and special individual God intended!  Each of us has the opportunity to absorb God’s love, forgiveness and hope into our lives…we only need to let our roots go and start the process.  He will smooth the stones, if we let him.  Have a great day!