Lessons From My Garden

A rare June hailstorm hit us yesterday afternoon --- hail in the size of marbles, a few the size of golf balls, descended upon us as the kids, hubby and I watched in disbelief from our upstairs bedroom window!

Here are some photos:



After the storm passed, we went outside to survey the damage. My first stop was to see if the plants in my garden survived while hubby went to clear leaves from clogged up drains because our street was starting to get flooded. I think I got my priorities a little mixed up there! :-)

Much to my dismay, my lovely hostas didn't survive! All that was left were their celery-looking stalks as all their lovely foliage got obliterated by the fierce hailstorm. A few of my shrubs, perennials and annuals are in bad shape but I think they will bounce back as it is still early in the growing season. My fingers are crossed!

This morning right after the kids went off to school, I headed out to clean up the mess in the garden. As I cleaned up around the poor hostas, gathering up the fallen leaves to put in the yard waste bag, God showed me an object lesson. Although the hosta plants look battered and bruised on the surface, they are still standing and will bounce back again because their roots go deep and hold them firmly in place! And so it is with us. If we are firmly rooted in the Lord our God, when the fierce storms of life batter and bruise us, we can withstand them; come out victorious; giving the glory to God, our Heavenly Father. Praise God!

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."
---Ephesians 3:14-19 NLT

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
---Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT