“THE” flower garden… {Weekend reading: Dueteronomy 1-5}

K–I feel like I had a lot to say…but little time…so I’m all over the place. Once again…bear with me;)

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my hubby’s return from Africa…hence no bloggin’…and just chillin’ with the fam. I’ve also been playing with a video editing program—so hang tight…really fun videos to come all next week about Wiphan Care Ministries and their time in Africa!!! AMAZING to see what God is doing in Zambia…and SO excited for what is to come. Anyone ever told ya “all good things come with a wait?!”…OH WAIT…the saying is really “all good things come to those who wait”. Okay, so that phrase isn’t scripture…BUT there is some truth to it. But how’s this for waiting according to scripture…

“When I was waiting quietly for the Lord, His heart was turned to me, and He gave ear to my cry.” Psalms 40:1

“I am waiting for the Lord, my soul is waiting for Him, and my hope is in His Word.” Psalms 130:5

“Love is never tired of waiting.”1 Corinthians 13:4

“Now may the God who gives comfort and strength in waiting make you of the same mind with one another in harmony with Christ Jesus…” Romans 15:5

“And so, as the result of patient waiting, our forefather obtained what God had promised.” Hebrews 6:15

“Be as calm in your waiting; let your hearts be strong: because the coming of the Lord is near.” James 5:8

Waiting is much like planting a garden—she plants them in the morning yet does not get a return over night. In her waiting, rain and storms come. In her waiting, others look and wonder why she waters the ground yet nothing is there. BUT then—His faithfulness comes one unexpected day. “And it is worth all the labor. Whoever keeps a fig-tree will have its fruit; and the servant waiting on his master will be honored.” Proverbs 27:18

It’s funny how the Lord calls out to us in our waiting–and He longs to be the One we CHOOSE to come to. He creates perfect scenerios so it is HIM we seek and cry out to. Two spring breaks ago when Rich was in Africa, I finally got a plus sign on a pregnancy test after months and months of charts, ovulation tests and trying. OF COURSE I would discover the AMAZING news of our baby Frank’s beginning when Rich was UNREACHABLE. But who was??? My Heavenly Father. He wanted ME to worship and REJOICE with Him. And where was Rich last week when the Ethiopia program made big changes? Yep–once again in Africa…and the Lord again wanted me to come to Him. He was reminding me that it is HIM I need to talk to.

AND instead of worrying–because my Heavenly Father reassured me in my time with Him that He had a plan for these changes for His glory—I planted a garden instead. Rich had been wanting one…so on Thursday at 3pm just 19 hours before he got home, I decided to labor—and plant seeds. I bought what I thought were 100 bulbs. Miscounted. 200 friends. Yes, this will be QUITE the garden. This was a labor of love as I shoveled off an entire layer of grass, laid rocks, put down stepping stones…and got a great deal on adirondack chairs (only because I had to put them together MYSELF…screw BY screw!) And I finally finished at 1am. Picked Rich up at 11am from the subway/marta—and boy was I proud to show him my work!!! FOR HIM.

He couldn’t believe that I did this for him. And when he saw the back yard and how wet the ground was–he realized it was all done in the RAIN. A TRUE labor of love. (I think I even spotted a tear in his eye!) And then he said what he always says…

“Ang, this was soooo sweet. BUT…have you lost your mind?!”

Yes. Well, I think I did a long time ago with the 3rd child…but still…I love him and I want to show that in how I labor for the things he loves. Although he can’t see the flowers yet—he knows they are there and he knows the one he loves planted this garden for him. I thought about us sitting there through the Spring as we wait to bring home our baby. I smiled thinking about our old selves sitting in those chairs down the road. And I dreamed about one more child in our family running with the children outside while we sat. And I remembered how the Lord, too, wants to bless us with the things that He is passionate about too—and He wants nothing more than for us to wait WITH him.

I am so thankful He had my hubby in Africa when I found out I was pregnant with our Frank two years ago. I got to celebrate with MY GOD first. I was so at peace when we found out changes in Ethiopia program while the hubby was gone this past week too. And as I ran out of the house to buy mulch on that rainy, yucky Thursday–I saw the MOST GLORIOUS rainbow I have ever seen. I squealed like a little girl coming out of the store and asked to strangers, “HAVE YOU SEEN IT?! LOOK! LOOK! A rainbow!!!!” Laney was with me…so I picked her up and cheered, “It’s His promise!” And He just wanted me to see that after we had gotten our news and before I could have the chance to tell Richard the following day upon his return.

For the rest of the year I’m starting count…of when I sense His confirming hand and see His glory. So I can be constantly and forever reminded of the things to come—they all may be uncertain…but I sure can trust the one doing the planting in my life. And I truly believe that He completes what He starts—and has a perfect plan and purpose for every single seed that HE plants. It may be confusing, it may not come up at first—but His ways are higher than our ways. Amen.

1. Saw beautiful rainbow leaving the store with Laney.

2. Had the EXACT amount of rocks I needed for the border of my garden.

3. Richard came home safely.

4. Amazing meeting with pastors at church…in agreement to start ministry for orphans and widows local and abroad!

5. Didn’t lose it or cry the ENTIRE time Richard was in Africa…wow…now that’s Your sustaining power Lord! (But did cry the minute he landed for my oldest little one who was having a hard time…but STILL God sustained me with creative energy and love all week while Rich was gone!)

6. Ran into precious girl in Walmart from Kenya…talked pimentos and Africa.

7. Met a lady today randomly who had lots of questions on adoption…talked an hour…excited for what is ahead for her family!

…my how beautiful it is to see You at work Lord!

Also…yesterday and today’s reading is Dueteronomy 1-5! Yay to be in a NEW book of God’s Word!!! Let us not give up on being in His Word DAILY. He longs for us to be with Him…and it is so important that we know our Shepherd’s voice! I don’t know about you—but the MORE I am in His Word…the more I know what He would want me to do throughout my day!!! AND what an adventure to know Him…because—my God isn’t safe…but He’s good. And He’ll take you on the ride of your life if you’ll let ’em.

Have a sweet Sabbath resting in the Savior.

XOXO,

Andrea