Tuesday, May 24, 2011

DANDELIONS

A year ago today, I took a beautiful walk into God's creation. It was one of those times when I couldn’t help but pick every new flower and admire each unique feature and vibrant color. Each blossom was so completely different; yet they all worked together to finish a live portrait of extravagant beauty.

As I strolled along, I remember spotting a small cluster of dandelion puffs by the road to my left. I was intrigued to pick one up and study it, too. As soon as I plucked it, I was hit with a memorable image.
With this small, seed-loaded dandelion in my hand, I realized I had an option...to use my breath to help scatter its seeds or let the wind carry them to wherever they were destined to land. Do you see the spiritual lesson we can glean from this?

There are opportunities each day along the road of life to help God reach every one of His beloved children. We can choose to take the time to nurture that person whose life has crossed our path, or we can walk on by...leaving God to work through another vessel.

What moments are we all missing by keeping our heads down, busied in our days? I can recall so many times when I began my day asking the Lord to use me to touch someone else’s life. Each time, He faithfully answered those prayers. Along with those windows of opportunity, I was also presented the choice to step out and act on them or continue along on my own way.

Isn't life too short to pass by the seed puffs planted along your life’s path? And aren’t people’s lives too important to ignore the opportunity to reach out with kind eyes, an encouraging word, and a sweet smile?

Dandelions can be an absolute nuisance. You know, many people see the Gospel as a dandelion in their yards...Jesus continues to cross their paths, springing up in the most unlikely places. And though He is a true gentleman, never forcing His way into someone’s heart, He will not give up. It's true; we can pluck Him from the front yard, but somehow He'll surface in the back! Christ is the loving Savior who seeks to be welcomed and planted in our lives!

Today, I’m asking you to consider dandelions from another angle. Allow them to be a reminder of God's awesome plan for the redemption of His creation. We are each called to carry forth the love and light of Jesus, spreading His gospel to the farthest reaches of this world.

I encourage you to take a small step of faith today. Make a commitment to yourself that the next time you see a dandelion puff along your path, you’ll pick it, pray for God to use you to carry His love into this lost world, then blow the dandelion’s seeds into the air. Follow them as they ride the wind and envision each seed as a life you can touch.

You’ll most likely notice joy bursting from your heart and a perma-grin beaming from your face…

With Love,
Katie Marie

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" Mark 16:15 (NIV)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

RENEWAL

Spring is such a beautiful, matchless time of year. For those people living in climates where the dormancy of winter is bleak, the first splash of green is medicine to the soul. There’s nothing like eying the very first buds kissing the barren trees or spotting the tender shoots of wildflowers poking their way up from the recently snow-covered ground.

The fresh winds of spring usher in countless blessings with their breezes...a beautiful lark’s song, the captivating aroma of hyacinths and lilacs, the sweet faces of daffodils and tulips. Spring beckons new life with warm rains and drops of sunshine that were once but a distant memory and future longing. Of all things, spring brings renewal.

As I’ve soaked in the changing season all around me, I haven’t been able to stop pondering this concept of renewal. I picture the word and envision deep cleansing, restoration, fresh grace, hopeful futures, and regeneration. What do you see? Have you taken the time to admire the changes surrounding you?

Spring is rolling towards summer and I sense that God Almighty is again asking us to glean a lesson by peeking at His handiwork in nature. Imagine the shifts of fall. As it draws to a close, many trees’ leaves come to rest upon Earth’s floor. This is simply a process that must happen year after year. The same is true of the buds that form at the branches’ tips in the springtime. These leaves beautifully characterize the ebb and flow of life.

Just as the times and seasons change, our God wants us to allow changes in our lives. He yearns for us to welcome the fresh rains and radiant greens popping up amidst our situations and circumstances. The Lord clearly shines uniquely through each season to remind us of His goodness, compassion, and unending love. Though our Heavenly Father’s nurturing rains may come on a day we were planning a fantastic picnic, we must roll with His change in plans. Let us remember that He is a beautiful, creative, Sovereign God and He knows what He is doing.

In what areas are you sensing God desires to bring renewal into your own life? Are you warming up to the changes you see all around or are you frustrated that storm clouds have come and you've forgotten your proverbial parka?

I ask you: will you take this journey into renewal with me this season? Let’s grab our rain gear, dust off the gardening gloves, and pull out the sunglasses for our awesome adventures. I have no idea what’s in store, but I can certainly assure you: when fall rolls around in just a few short months, each of us will have collected a backpack full of stories and memories of our sweet times with God. Together, let’s deeply breathe in the fresh aroma and cleansing renewal of this very day...

Taking It All In,
Katie Marie

“The one who loves me...said to me, 'Rise up, my love. Come with me, my beautiful one. Look! The winter is past...flowers are appearing on the earth. The season for singing has come. The cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig trees are producing their early fruit. The flowers on the vines are giving off their sweet smell. Rise up and come, my love. Come with me, my beautiful one.' " Song of Solomon 2:9-13 (NIRV)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

YOU...

Hello and happy, BLESSED Mother's Day to all of you awesome moms out there in the world!!! Thank you for your constant sacrifice, inspiration, beauty, dedication, prayers, and unending love. In your honor, I am sharing with you this poem I wrote for my INCREDIBLE mom as a Mother's Day gift almost 12 years ago.

It has never been more true than today ~ I love you, Mama!


YOU...
You are
The ever-whispering wind
Who has firmly planted my seed;
The fertile soil my very being
Sprung from and will always need.

You are the humble, nurturing rains,
Seeping deep into my roots;
The living water stirring my soul,
You've made me strong and astute.

You are my greatest inspiration;
Having taught me how to fight
For everything in the world
Which is just and true and right.

You are the graceful, flowing river
Tenderly sweeping me along;
You are my entity,
The very reason I have
Grown to be so
strong...


With All of My Love,
~Katie Marie