Thank You, dear Father in heaven, for my beautiful plants! You know how each one delights me as I sit with You at sunrise and again at sunset. I see the fingers of Your dawn through a feathery fern, heart shaped ivy leaves, and the clustered leaves of my poinsettia. I see the last wistful glimmers of sun each evening through the scraggly arms of a plant I found by the dumpster but which has survived.
And I am reminded of my own life. You took what was a wrecked and painful heart and made it live and grow. You gave me love, just like the song that led me to give my heart to You, Jesus.
And dear One, as I look up that song on the internet, tears flow at Your deep and tender stirring. I remember that night, 35 years ago, as I cried out for help to I knew not who – and You answered with this song by B.J. Thomas on the car radio.
Thank You, dearest Father, for healing all that pain and bringing so much joy through all of these years. Thank You for giving me a place of service, through writing, for others who need your love. Help them see that–though they may feel as undesirable and broken as a plant tossed in the trash–You long to heal them and make them whole and to fill them with Your peace and joy.
Help them also learn to let Your love shine through them to reach other hurting souls. Show them that Your full love and Your full beauty reside in each heart given to Your service, no matter the outward appearance of the earthly tabernacle in which that heart dwells.
Dear friend, listen to this song. You will feel God’s love . . .
