Reflections

We recently drove over Kentucky Lake in Western Kentucky. I snapped a few pictures. As I looked at those pictures, I noticed the reflections I saw in the Lake.

On the main Lake, the wind was causing ripples on the lake. You can see the reflection of the trees in the lake, but it's not a clear reflection.

As I was pondering this, I thought about how we are to be reflections of Christ. But many times, the winds of life blow & we allow it to get us all riled up & our reflection of Christ becomes cloudy & not clear.

Then I saw a smaller pond. It was more protected from the wind. The water was so still & the reflection of the trees is clear, like looking in a mirror.

This is how I want my life to be. I want be so dependent on God that when troubles come, I stay still! I want to live life with the outlook that God is my shelter and I do not need to let problems & troubles stir me up. Instead I can BE STILL! I can just trust God. Then & only then will I be a reflection of Christ!

When others see my calmness in adversity, they will want to know how I can be so calm. Then I can share with them about Christ & what He has done in my life & how I have confidence that HE will carry me through no matter the storms that blow. And HE can do the same for every person who trusts in Him!

Dear Lord,
Help me to trust in You! Help me to rely on You to carry me through the storms of life & remain calm so that You will be reflected in my life. Help me not to get blown around by the winds of life and let life rile me up! (Psalm 46:10a - "Be still, and know that I am God;")

Lessons from my Rose Bush

I have a little rose bush that my Mamaw cleaned out of her yard. My aunts almost threw it away, but my mom rescued it & brought it to me. When I planted it, I had my doubts. It was so small, so normal, not beautiful. At first it almost died then I gave it some Miracle Grow. I couldn't believe when it started growing leaves. It still was so tiny & insignificant looking next to all the other plants in my flower bed.

Then to my surprise I saw a bud, then two and three. Beautiful pink roses! They looked so beautiful for a week or so. Then slowly the petals fell off & drifted to the ground. Now the bush looked so forlorn & empty. BUT only for a few weeks! Then it started budding again. This little bush has bloomed on & off all spring, summer & fall! My big climbing rose bush may have had more flowers, but this little bush has been in bloom longer! The big bush was so full & beautiful for a week or two. Then the petals blew away & it stands empty. My little bush keeps producing blooms over & over & over.  It takes it's rest in the winter, but comes back each spring ready to provide beauty & color in my yard until fall is over!

God has shown me that I need to strive to be like that little rose bush. I may see myself as small & insignificant. Others may see me that way to. BUT God sees me, loves me & tends to me carefully. As I feed myself from His Word, I will grow.  It may only be a little growth at a time, but when I am fed by His Word, beauty will flow from me. I will blossom into the woman God wants me to be. I may still have my dead times in the winters of my life, but God is faithful to cultivate growth in me & I will blossom again!

Heavenly Father, work in my life that I might be a reflection of your beauty much like this little rose in my yard. Help me to stay in Your Word so that I might blossom & bloom! I thank You & praise You for the lessons You teach me from Your Creation! Amen!