Daily Devotionals
Monday, May 20, 2024 (Mary Ann)
And so it begins. My annual trips to area garden centers in search of victims.
Every year it’s the same: No vision. No master plan for color coordination. No thought to what might work well with existing perennials and shrubs.
So I roam the aisles with a cart full of good intentions. (Is it my imagination or do plants see me coming and try to wilt so I won’t pick them up? Cowards!) Regardless, I am easily distracted. Lime greens! Purples! Reds! Yellows! Oh my, I’ve never seen that combination in a hanging basket. Wow, a new shrub! I’ll find a place for it! Somewhere.
I’m so sorry about last year, I assure them all. This year, I promise them, things will be different. I will care for you. I will feed you. I will water you. I will weed you.
Quite similar, really, to how I tell the Lord I’ll do better with my devotions. This summer will be different, I promise: I will pray more. I will read and study. I will ask for guidance. I will listen to the Holy Spirit.
I’m glad God doesn’t see me coming and look away because of all the times I’ve failed him. He still picks me up. He will for you too, dear Sister. Every morning. Without fail! “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Busyness reaches new heights for all of us in the summer. It’s easy to get distracted by vacations, fun in the sun, family get-togethers and on and on. But really, let’s make this summer different with a closer focus on the One who loves us most. The One who cares for us. The One who wants us to bloom for him!
Mary Ann (But call me Rose. Or Lily. Or Daisy. Or ….)
Every year it’s the same: No vision. No master plan for color coordination. No thought to what might work well with existing perennials and shrubs.
So I roam the aisles with a cart full of good intentions. (Is it my imagination or do plants see me coming and try to wilt so I won’t pick them up? Cowards!) Regardless, I am easily distracted. Lime greens! Purples! Reds! Yellows! Oh my, I’ve never seen that combination in a hanging basket. Wow, a new shrub! I’ll find a place for it! Somewhere.
I’m so sorry about last year, I assure them all. This year, I promise them, things will be different. I will care for you. I will feed you. I will water you. I will weed you.
Quite similar, really, to how I tell the Lord I’ll do better with my devotions. This summer will be different, I promise: I will pray more. I will read and study. I will ask for guidance. I will listen to the Holy Spirit.
I’m glad God doesn’t see me coming and look away because of all the times I’ve failed him. He still picks me up. He will for you too, dear Sister. Every morning. Without fail! “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Busyness reaches new heights for all of us in the summer. It’s easy to get distracted by vacations, fun in the sun, family get-togethers and on and on. But really, let’s make this summer different with a closer focus on the One who loves us most. The One who cares for us. The One who wants us to bloom for him!
Mary Ann (But call me Rose. Or Lily. Or Daisy. Or ….)
