Flourishing in the Now
When I prepared to move to Southern California, my life was stripped clean of unnecessary stuff. I sold a bit, and gave most of it away. I kept the heirlooms and antiques … the things near and dear to my heart. It turns out the Lord was doing the same thing in my heart. He was clearing out the cobwebs of ambiguity, the strands of nothing-ness that occupied time and space. He re-defined the pillars of truth and simplicity that would guide my life here.
No matter where we live, no matter what our track record of obedience or sacrifice or rebellion … nothing prepares us for the next season. For some it is betrayal delivered on a platter by the friends that we trusted. For others it is loss. For another, the mission field in which they find themselves is devoid of the food, water, sanitation and societal norms that they are forced to re-define survival, let alone flourishing.
Learn to flourish in your heart in spite of everything.
Be the green olive tree beside the river whose roots sink deep below the superficial, and whose leaves blossom in every season.
We think we know who will walk with us for the next 20 years, who will never abandon us. And yet we cannot choose the “who” that will be in our lives. Friendships are always and forever … a gift. Undeserved. Silases appear so that we might walk the road together, to sing until the chains break.
Like Jacob we develop a steely tenacity that says, “I will not let You go until You bless me.” Thankfully Father loves His sons and daughters through the night and by morning He changes our name.
Herpaintedbunting's Blog 
September 18, 2012 at 9:30 am
singing with my sistah
September 19, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Aye, and I know the tune for you’ve taught this mermaid well.
September 18, 2012 at 11:41 am
Beautiful Sam! I lost my dearest and best friend two years ago. I am still trying to figure out how to live without her. What do I miss? What is it that grieves me still? How could she be gone-we have no assurance of who will walk with us tomorrow let alone the next 20! God is our only assurance and I know he is patient with my grief…..
September 19, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Lisa,
Your words come from a place in your heart that is composed and settled in the goodness of God. In spite of my experiences I too have been able to say, “This I do know, that God is good.” Excruciating pain. A piercing sense of abandonment, and then to find that He is enough. He is so patient. Please don’t feel rushed by this post or the previous where I’m pushing a bit. Rest in the Father.
I think of that beautiful analogy He’s given me so many times. When I had a yard and flowers were blooming on their own schedule I could see that they did just that, they bloomed according to their DNA. Telling them to hurry was pointless. Smile. Remember the ache that you feel in your heart when look at the blossoms. A flower gives something up in order to come into full bloom. The tips of the petals are often brown, and the outer petals fall away by the time the aroma is full and fragrant.
Be fully loved, Lisa. He’s got this. He’s got you.
Samantha
September 21, 2012 at 3:45 am
“Learn to flourish in your heart in spite of everything.”
That is it, exactly!