Thorns, Trees and Plantings

We've had a tremendous amount of rain, flooding even, where I live, during the months of March and April. Just the last 5 days it has finally gotten dry and the sun has come out. My husband and I have spent the last few days planting flowers in our yard and around our patio, mostly red geraniums. The way I see it, you can never have too many red geraniums. They are summer to me.
I think of myself sometimes as a flower. Mostly I think of myself as a wilted, droopy flower, barely hanging on, which is, in fact, how I've lived most of my life. I've been desperate for the "Son-shine" and Living Water of Jesus.


John Eldridge has said "The glory of God is a man fully alive". But I haven't lived my life fully alive. I have let the thorns of shame and self-condemnation strangle my roots until I'm all but dead. I'm determined not to live that way any longer. "Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow", Isaiah 55:13. NLT. This
spring, God has opened up the eyes of my heart to see that Jesus is the answer. He has been there all along, My Master Gardener.

When Jesus died on the cross for my sins and forever made me clean, I became a planting in His garden. Because of Him, I am as fresh, dewey, and pure as the most exquisite rose and that is how He sees me. He lovingly tends me with the best of care. He waters me when I need it, He prunes me when I need it, and He pulls out the weeds when I need it. He has made me "a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor", Isaiah 61:3. NIV