Nestled in a rock bed running along the back side of our house, sits this weathered garden feature. Our grandson, Holden, age four, lifts it up from time-to-time to see whether there might not be a resident, but there’s never been any sign. Not since the day I first brought it home and set it out as a shelter of sorts for the toads I’d seen hopping about. Now comes along a little green fern that warms my heart and makes me smile for it resounds with such a beautiful message. One that owns the power to make a whole lot of difference: no matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve done or haven’t done, how you might be thinking and/or feeling about it all, where you figure you’re heading, and, most importantly, right where you are this very minute!
It reminds me of the goodness and mercy of God; the unfathomable depth of His abiding love; the nature of His steadfast faithfulness; His ability to make a way where there is no way; and His handiwork and creative care in the unseen place where only He can see to reach into with His Creator’s Touch.
🌱 He owns the power to germinate and sprout!
It reminds me of Jesus standing outside Lazarus’ tomb, in a firm voice calling out Lazarus by name. Lazarus stirs, comes to life, with a tightly bound shuffle begins to shift towards Jesus’ voice. In a blaze of perfectly timed Kingdom Glory, Lazarus finds himself rescued from death… and brought back to life! I’m wondering if that felt a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps it even hurt.😳
Most definitely, it was a stretch! 🌱
“Then with a loud voice Jesus shouted with authority:
“Lazarus! Come out of the tomb!”
“Then in front of everyone, Lazarus, who had died four days earlier, slowly hobbled out—he still had grave clothes tightly wrapped around his hands and feet and covering his face! Jesus said to them,
“Unwrap him and let him loose.”
John 11:43-44 TPT
Above all and no matter what, it’s certainly a climactic telling where both our Savior’s compassionate heart and His most passionate mission are put on display! This, in turn, means that it’s The Perfect Reflection of Father God’s Own purpose, thoughts and attitude towards me every day!
🌱 Now that has me rethinking some mighty dry and arid, stink’n’ think’n’!
What wondrous love is this?!
Recollections of other resurrections begin to stir.
“I recall Your works of long ago, O LORD; I carefully ponder Your words and actions. Holy are You in all of Your ways!” (Psalm 77:11-14)
I’m reminded of what happened just outside of Nain. (Nain in Hebrew means ‘pleasant’, ‘lovely’.)
“When the Lord saw the grieving mother, His heart broke for her. With great tenderness He said to her,
“Please don’t cry.”
“Then He stepped up to the open coffin and touched it. When the pallbearers came to a halt, Jesus spoke directly to the corpse,
“Young man, I say to you, arise and live!”
Luke 7:13-14 TPT
The power of YAH shows up in the midst of her grief, with it a fresh start…and a new beginning! Oh, what comfort! What hope infuses me! LORD JESUS, Yours is the most tender heart of all! You see through the dark to my deepest need…and You meet! Such a beautiful reminder of how Your life impacts my life, every single day!
Thank You for issuing such a powerful invitation! And thank You, too, for sharing daily reminders that stir my Remembrance! No matter what comes “I will say to myself, “The LORD GOD is with me and that is enough! I will trust You to help me because You prove faithful and kind to the one who turns to You and waits on You.” Lamentations 3:24-25 EASY
“Bless the LORD, o my soul! All that is within me praise His holy name! Bless the LORD, o my soul, and forget none of His benefits, all your days! He forgives all your sins! He heals all your diseases! He redeems your life from the Pit! He crowns you with faithful love and compassion! He satisfies you with goodness, so that your youth is renewed like the soaring eagle! The LORD executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Psalm 103:1-6 HCSB
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
“There is no other GOD like You, YAHWEH…You’re the GOD Who works wonders! You reveal Your strength among the peoples; You use Your power to rescue Your people! (Psalms 77:13-15)
In Jesus’ name!
Amen 🌱