Preparing For The Season

The years 2019 and 2020 were unprecedented times. Our once hectic, busy lives abruptly stopped with a total change in focus. 

Just a few short months previous, when I asked the people I crossed paths with how they were doing, they almost always gave the same answer, "Busy!" But when the pandemic hit, and I saw those same people, their response was quite different, "Bored, but we're staying safe!"

Fortunately, my children have grown, and I have an empty nest.

I work from home as a writer and sell custom planters of annual bedding plants.

 Our last frost date here in zone 7 is April 15th. The extended forecast predicted mild temperatures, so I began acclimating my plants back into the outdoors.

This process is called 'Hardening off.' Every morning, I take a few plants out of the greenhouse. Then, I put those same plants back inside every evening before sunset. I do this for at least six days straight. 

The process is tedious, but it saves the plants from a severe shock that would considerably set the growing cycle back.

In short, I am preparing my plants for the next season.

"From the beginning, I revealed the end.

From long ago, I told you things that had not yet happened, saying,

"My plan will stand, and I'll do everything I intended to do." 

Isaiah 46:10 GW

We could not have known the Coronavirus was coming. Even when we first heard rumors of it, most of us didn't pay that much attention. Fast forward a few short weeks, and we found ourselves in the state of 'Safer at home' with 'non-essential' businesses closed. Who knew?

Answer: God did! 

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

I spent the winter months planning for the summer's outdoor plant combinations. I looked over the plants I had in the greenhouse. I could take cuttings from many of them and make new plants. Then, I looked through the flower seeds I harvested last fall and the new packages I had purchased. Sitting down with my calendar, I made a schedule for sowing seeds. Unlike vegetables, many flower seeds are planted indoors as early as January. 

During the planning process, there is something vital I must keep in mind. "What are the sunlight and watering requirements of these plants?"

Color and texture are essential in any form of design. However, planting sun-loving plants alongside a shade lover within a container will end in disaster.

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world" Philippians 2:14-15 

The "Cold and Flu Season" will once again be upon us. There is talk of another Covid variant. I have a question, "Where have you planted yourself?"

Be careful if you spend most of your time in front of the latest newscast. Your roots will soon grow deep into fear or anger. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.."

Galatians 5:22,23 NET

Nowhere in that verse do we see grumbling, fault-finding, or rebellion. Why? Because those things are not of God's kingdom, they are from His enemy. 

"Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols..." 1 Samuel 15:23 NLT

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21 NLT

An interesting phenomenon occurred during the pandemic. 

Although our church congregations could not gather corporately, 'THE CHURCH' reached tens of thousands every week! 

Modern technology allows people to tune in to multiple God-ordained messages daily. 

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Romans 10:17 NKJV

The word 'hearing' in that verse is a continuous verb. It literally could read, 'hearing, and hearing, and hearing, and hearing, and hearing...'

To infinity and beyond hearing!! 

Yes, we should stay informed about the events happening around the world. But, I encourage you to remain rooted and grounded in God's Truth. 

God is still on His throne. He defeated His enemy long ago, and absolutely nothing can destroy us as long as we abide in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you." John 15:16 AMPC

Stay planted, my friends, speak life and give hope to the people around you. Carry the kingdom with you wherever you go. 

We are on the verge of one of the greatest revivals of our lifetime. 

Don't allow negative thoughts and emotions to distract you and cause you to miss it.