The real springtime is blooming here in Michigan… FINALLY!
And the snow is all melted… AGAIN!
This time of the year, I always like to walk around our yard to see what plants are poking their way up through the crusted over dirt. The mini daffodils are up and blooming… sweet! Little bits of green… LIFE is coming forth! Ahhh, yes… winter gives way to spring!
But… our waterfall and pond… what a mess! Green, furry-like algae clinging to all the rocks. Fall’s dried up dead leaves stuck in all the cracks and crevices. To see what it looks like now, it is hard to imagine it with clear, cool water bubbling down the stream.
Do you have those times in your life where you feel like that… a mucked-up pond? The emotional-winter leaves you feeling somewhat stagnate. Overwhelming elements of life have you unable to focus on, well… life! And ways for coping with it all have dried up at the moment! This feeling can leave you a little worried… you wonder, will this “winter” season ever be over???
So today was the day we started the cleaning process on our pond and waterfall. Yuck! But we’ve got to start somewhere… the longer we leave it, the worse it will get!
As the pump started doing its work to syphon out the water, all the green “fur” started to become more noticeable. And the stirring in the water brought a resident frog-friend to our attention. He was trying to escape, but all the slimy algae had him slip-sliding back into the murky abyss!
So we took the skimmer-net and scooped him out. What did Frogger do? He jumped right back into that nasty green swill! Finally, after the third time of pulling him out, I was able to stick him in a water-filled bucket… and there he stayed with a little coaxing! Yes, you can coax a frog!
Why did that frog want to go back into that dirty water? I think it was because it was what he knew. It was messy but comfortable for him. I can see where I am like that frog sometimes too… in my mess I am familiar with this misery, but what if I step out of my comfort into something new? Will it be better or will it just be a new kind of miserable???
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. ~ Psalms 40:2
Is God calling you to something different in a new season? He knows you! He sees you! He knows exactly what He created you for!
You know when you are trying to put something together that has a million pieces (furniture from IKEA)… you have to go to the instruction manual. It is the same during these emotional or spiritual winters… you have got to be in God’s Word more. Pray for guidance. Pray for other people too… setting your focus on God and on others will get your mind off yourself. And then something that can be really hard for me… just be quiet and listen… soak in the warmth of His presence.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. ~ Psalms 40:3
My prayer from my heart to yours… Lord, I am willing! I am ready for “winter” to be done! Lord, You know my heart is willing! Reconnect the disconnect and bring me into Your spring of life and growth! In Jesus’ name.
Always remember and don’t ever forget… God is with you through whatever comes your way! Anxious thoughts have no place in your heart and mind!
If He has called you to it… He will get you through it!
Trust Him! Trust His faithfulness! Keep clinging to Him in faith!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In His Grace, Carin
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If love the frog analogy. Yes, I do jump back into the dirty water too many times.
I love your lesson from your frog. and yes, we can be just like him and not really realize that there is a clean and fresh environment just waiting for us! thanks!