An Apple Garden

In the bulb there is a flower in the seed, an apple tree, in cocoons, a hidden promise, butterflies will soon be free.

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. ~Luke 6:44

An

Apple Garden

Barbara Summervill

Spring Spring is my favorite time of year. Trees are growing their leaves and blooming. Greenhouses are filled with new plants. It gives me great pleasure to browse through them, to plant them, to nurture them, to watch them grow. Birds are beginning to nest and sing their hearts out.

The weather is getting warmer. The days are getting longer. The world is waking up. Spring is my favorite time of year! Thank you, Lord!

Thank you, too, Lord, for the time of renewal and new beginnings.

When I have the opportunity of renewal in life, I pray that I will take advantage of it.

Good Morning God You are ushering in another day untouched and freshly new, so here I come to ask you God if You’ll renew me too?

Forgive the many errors, that I made yesterday and let me try again, dear God, to walk closer in Thy way.

But Father, I am well aware I can’t make it on my own. So take my hand and hold it tight for I can’t walk alone.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12

5

Courage Our pastor challenged us one Sunday morning to choose a word one word to carry with us for a year. She said to prepare our hearts, to look in and be still, to listen and be open to the word God shares. One word that creates clarity, power, and passion in our lives.

My word for the year is courage. Courage to deal with my husbands diagnosis of cancer. Courage to see the coronavirus through. Courage to live each day as the Lord wants me to. Courage to follow the way God leads me - and to know what that way is.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing. ~ Dr. Seuss

Jesus said, Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. ~ Matthew 15:27

19

Light I sat on a bench in my yard in the gathering darkness listening to the cicadas and watching the fireflies as they flew around with their lights shining. As children we would try to catch them. We were fascinated by their light. Now, I am still fascinated by their light - with wonder. It is a complete mystery - a marvelous creation, as are all of God’s creations.

Thank you, Lord.

I pray that my light will shine so that others will see it. I am reminded of a song I learned as a child and still like to sing.

This little light of mine I’m going to let it shine, This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. ~ 2 Samuel 22:29

25

Here I Am, Lord Listen! That is the important word and attitude - listen. God speaks in lots of different ways. I belonged to a group one time. We met every Wednesday morning and shared promptings we had had - a thought, a feeling, a phone call - and how we responded to those promptings. I learned a lot as that group shared. I learned to pay attention to promptings. I try to listen to the call of God and what He can do in my life, to respond to his call, his nudging, the thoughts and ideas that come my way, that pop into my mind. As I ask for guidance, let me answer: Here I am, Lord, send me.

Thank you, Lord.

Here I am Lord Is it I Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go Lord If you lead me I will hold your people in my heart.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

33

Spiritual Renewal In my eighty-some years, I’ve heard many sermons. I couldn’t repeat any of them, but they have all nourished my soul. However, I do remember part of a sermon my pastor preached one Sunday. He said everyone has their own place or experience that nourishes them spiritually. I think about that whenever I’m in my flower garden, caring for my plants, enjoying them. That is the place where I feel close to the Lord, even when I have dirt on my hands and under my finger nails.

Just as I feed them and care for them, God feeds me and cares for me.

Just as I talk to them - yes, I talk to my plants and tell them how pretty they are and that I appreciate them. I think about that sermon often as I am being spiritually renewed.

Thank you, Lord.

The kiss of sun for pardon, The song of birds for mirth-One is nearer God’s heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth. ~ Dorothy Frances Gurney Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. ~ Corinthians 9:15

47

Spirit I’ve been taking down Christmas decorations. I like to put them up, but taking them down isn’t so much fun. I will miss the cheerful lights, the Christmas tree, decorations on the mantel and the stairs, the little trees in each room. But while those lights go out, Lord, I pray that the lights in my life, my soul, my faith, never go out. Let me be careful when I toss out the Christmas tree that I don’t toss out the Christmas spirit with it.

Thank you, Lord.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ~ Colossians 4:2

99