Transformed

Three years ago I planted a small piece of a wild rosebush, and just assumed it would send up new growth in a short period of time. I waited, but it appeared that the small fragment had died. Occasionally I checked the ground where I had planted it, but I only saw a dead brown stem. Eventually I gave up on it and many months passed. One day I was amazed to see healthy green shoots coming up beside the dead cane of the original plant. Where I saw hopelessness, God saw hope. Today, the rosebush cascades by the path, and single white blossoms adorn its branches. Simply beautiful! God never gives up on us--we are His dead brown stems--stiff and unyielding. But He sees our futures. He sees our beauty in Christ. Like the rosebush, we will be transformed by His glory.

"...he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." Romans 8:11

Reminders

We are a people in constant need of reminding. I am sorry to say that we oftentimes forget our Creator, and walk right past His handiwork without even noticing, let alone thanking Him. We teach our children to always say thank you, and we are embarrassed if they don't. Yet, we fail to thank our Maker. So He reminds us --He reminds us to look up to Him when we feel the warm sun on our heads. He reminds us to look down at our humble beginnings when we feel dirt between our toes. He reminds us of the Fall when thorns tear at our hands. He reminds us of His beauty and majesty when we look around. And when we close our eyes to pray, He reminds us that we are His, by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. " "...be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Dt. 4:9