Bloom where you are planted

This thought came to mind when I saw this beautiful white clematis peeking out behind the gorgeous red rose. The clematis was planted in front of the rose, this past year, and as vines will do, wrapped itself around the older rose for support during it's upward climb. The rose has been there for 5 years and has a strong root system. These are both such individual species of plants and together they symbolize such an incredible picture of relationships - the duality of our connectedness and our individuality. The clematis could have grown on it's own, but it wouldn't have been able to make very significant vertical growth without the strength and advantage of the rose's sturdy cane. It could have been scared of a thorn cutting into it's weak, green, stems. Instead, this flimsy new plant chose to lean on and complement the older rose, making it a friend and calling their common soil home. And so it goes with me... Fear and insecurity can keep me from blossoming where I am, especially when I see older, more beautiful and confident types of people around me. Rather than blooming where God has me, I can hide and whither, wishing I'd been planted somewhere else. I hear God calling me out of hiding and fear, so that He, the Son, will get the glory when His planted one blooms. And like the clematis in my garden, my weaknesses will be made stronger because of where I am planted and who I am planted by.

...and the livin' is easy

Summertime - it's supposed to be carefree and easy. Yesterday was like that and I loved it. After enduring an incredibly stress and conflict filled week last week, I have vowed to keep the rest of our summer from being polluted by such things. Usually after a week like last week, I come to my senses and realize that I am the one who is allowing, condoning, enabling the family to be overcome by all of the pressures from the "outside". So, I take a step back and remind myself of my responsibilities as the mom and manager of our household; of my vision for how our family is going to live; that I can say "no", I can say "yes", I can say"not right now", I can set limits and boundaries that other families might not have, and we can have fun-filled days rather than yucky ones. It's an interesting reality that we all live better with limits, because the limits give us freedom and space and relaxation. It's how the rest of our summer is going to be!! Just look at how relaxed Polly Pocket is - she had an easy-livin' day too!!!

Vacation Bible School

We just finished up with Vacation Bible School - aka VBS. I'm just wondering who thought up the idea of this as being a vacation deal... probably some daddy. Cuz seriously! Last week was fun, but it was CERTAINLY NOT a vacation! I feel a digression coming on, so I better just stick to the facts. And those facts are...

• all 3 girls learned Bible verses - I am praying that as they hide God's word in their hearts at such young ages, it will stay with them a long time.
  
• they met new friends!
• Marky brought a friend from school 3 days out of the week
• they got to sing , sing, sing and sing some more - it thrilled me to watch them worship the Lord with their music.
  
• they all said that they wished VBS could go on all summer. (if it did, their mama would be institutionalized and their daddy would have to take them to it, so it's a pretty good thing that it was only for one week)
• someone other than me did crafts and games with them - GLORY!!
• each day that I picked them up, they were happy and excited about all that they learned and did for that day of VBS.

I am really thankful for the time that my girls had in VBS. Our church did an outstanding job of providing a really great program for our kids.