Joy in the midst of life's trials

Good morning Friends ~ Here we are in some trying times, may we be able to do what is necessary to build up our immune systems and be safe from this virus. May we call out to and trust in God to bring us closer to Him and to keep us safe. The world needs Jesus, may we be a light of God's Eternal Light, Jesus. 

The media is filled with so much negative that if we continue to plug into it we will become overwhelmed by fear and our lives will be unhealthy and dismal. I've not been out to the grocery store yet, will probably have to go out by the end of the week. For now, I want to be at peace here at Plum Cottage, and pray that the Peace which is Jesus in me, will shine out of me when I do have to venture forth. A sweet lady on a garden/homesteading vlog mentioned in her latest devotional piece that when she went out to the store she could 'feel the fear'. It was all around and heavy and she just wanted to get home. 

Many, many years ago hubby and I read the Dune trilogy books and one of the lines in the first book that I'll never forget is this: 'Fear is the mind killer, it will pass, but I shall remain." 

In the Bible we read in Joshua 1:9, 

 "Have not I commanded thee?
Be strong and of a good courage;
be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed:
for the Lord thy God
is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
(KJV)

 This is My command: 

be strong and courageous.

Never be afraid or discouraged 

because I am your God, the Eternal One, 

and I will remain with you wherever you go.
(Voice)

This is what I want to dwell on, God being with me always and to not be afraid whatever may come. When it's my time to pass from this life to the next, I will still be with God/Jesus, but no longer having to live in fear, or having sickness, or poverty, or whatever else is in my life. Life will be infinitely better than I can ever imagine, and being with Jesus will be joy unspeakable.

In my devotional 'I Hear His Whisper - Encounter God's Heart for You', today's reading was this and I want to share it here.

 March 16

My loving guidance will be your joy.

Many come to me day after day and ask for guidance. It brings me great joy to see you, my sons and daughters, longing to be moved by the impulses of my Spirit and not your own understanding. I will lead you in the ways of my holy ones. I will guide you with my joyous eyes resting upon you. Look into my face, and the brightness of my love will make your path clear. I am aware of all that you need and all that I have promised. I will meet every need.

My loving guidance will be your joy. I take your burdens and remove them. I take your fears and dissolve them. I take your anxiety and erase it forever. What seems hard, I will make easy. When it look like everything has blocked your way, I will make a way. Not one thing can penetrate my wrap-around presence as I go with you. Walk in paths of peace and experience my joy as you face the future, for the King of peace walks with you.

 Trust in the Lord completely,
and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on Him to guide you,
and He will lead you in every decision you make.
Become intimate with Him in whatever you do,
and He will lead you wherever you go.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (TPT)

******

 

This morning I plan to get some laundry washed and hung out to dry and to work in the 'secret garden'. I have been enjoying scents from the basket plant flowers and from gardenias and roses. Gifts from my Heavenly Father. The guys were here Sat. and we made forward progress on the back fencing area, they went out for materials and we will be, God willing, finishing that project this coming Sat.

 

For those who already have a relationship with Jesus, keep focused on Him through this trying time. For those who don't have a relationship with Him, and want to, just call out to Him. He hears and He is Mighty to save.

 

We have a choice, to be filled with fear, or to choose joy and trusting in The One  who is in control. The evil one will NOT win. He has already lost, he just doesn't know it yet.

 

Love, hugs and prayers for the whole world ~ FlowerLady 

 

 

Problem with viewing photos

Hello Folks ~ someone just informed me that my photos aren't showing up and I don't know what the cause of that is. When I view my post online, they all show up. Maybe it's some kind of blogger glitch, I just wanted to let you know I don't have a clue and I'm sorry this has happened. 

Sincerely ~ FlowerLady

Forward progress

 Good Thursday morning to all ~ It is just starting to get light out. I'm sipping on my second/final cup of coffee for the day. This morning, God willing, my plan is to get out to the back fencing area to trim more, cut up, rake up and bag up debris to be picked up on Sat. I worked outside almost 2 hours on this area yesterday morning. The weather was 'perfect'. 

I want to thank you for kind and encouraging comments. They really do uplift my spirits when I feel down or overwhelmed. Your words about contentment, focusing on and trusting God does wonders and builds my faith.

So, here are pics from yesterday morning. I realized after being able to get up close to the fencing that it is in good shape, just weathered in coloring, and in need of posts, so I do believe I won't be replacing the fencing, which will save me $$. A few slats need to be reattached to the 2x4's, but the guys can take care of that.

This is before.

 

 After

 A wild passion flower vine growing up and over the yellow flowering thryallis in the next photo.

 

 Ok, that's it for now. Thanks again for all of your support. Words can't express what all your encouragement and prayers do for this 'FlowerLady'.

May today be a good day for all. May you be well, calm, and thankful.

FlowerLady

Projects

Hello Folks ~ It is a gray and very windy morning here in s.e. FL. This is the third 'windy' day in a row. Rain has fallen all around, but not on Plum Cottage Gardens. We had some chilly weather come down into our area again and it's been wonderful. 

I've been working on various projects and have more to do in the next couple of weeks. Plus I am dealing with letting go of part of the past and will share that later, I have to wait for 'the rest of the story', before sharing.

I usually work 2-3 hours outside, depending on what I do. That's when my body starts telling me 'ok, you've done enough for now'.

I've been working on the 'secret garden'. There was a shrub that was getting too big in the front and I realized I'd better dig it up as it was probably growing down into the septic field areas. Plus, there was a wild petunia vine that spreads like crazy and is so hard to pull up, but eventually one can make forward progress. The picture below was taken 10-17-19.

 

These next photos are from  02-06-20

 .There is still more work to do in the secret garden, all in good time.

In the next two weeks, I've got to clear an area between my barn and the neighbors to the west of me. I found out the other day that they are selling their place. YIKES! I've been saving money to replace the falling down privacy fencing and had gone over to tell them I would be doing it soon. Well, soon has turned into the 21st. I put out an SOS to the 'Eat and Go' men's group that help people with projects at our church. 5-6 of them will be here to do the work. (It is so hard to ask for help, but, that is what this men's ministry is all about. I pray God's blessings on them.)

This area has really become overgrown, one thing is a native passion vine. I've not really been back there to check things out since last Sept when getting the plywood out to cover windows because of Hurricane Dorian. This 'back 40' with barn, and the storage building were my dear husband's domain, what he took care of.  Plus there is his workshop and the area surrounding it. Sometimes it is so dang overwhelming I can hardly stand it. That's when I cry out to Jesus to be my strength, to give me energy, to fill my heart with gladness instead of sadness. I have much to be thankful for.

 This is the passion vine, you can see a flower at the bottom of photo, it is covering a couple of thryalis shrubs that have the yellow flowers.

Ashamedly, I have to admit I do get jealous of those who still have husbands, who have an income, so that projects get done, money not being an object. Shame on me. Lately, I've been watching you tube videos about people and how they live around the world, and I am rich compared to how they are living, which makes me feel thankful for the life God has blessed me with.

Now I'll share pics from front patio area where I have put the two Don Juan climbing roses. They don't get as much sun as they will get shortly, but seem to be doing ok, new growth. I need to dead head the spent blooms.

Before below. There is still more tweaking to be done in this area, as time goes on.

 

  I had to take out the old cement bases plants had been sitting on because the rose pots are two large. The bases are stacked up in the secret garden area waiting for me to figure out what to do with them.

 

 

 This is looking out my window this morning. This statue is 'the weeping woman'. We bought it many, many years ago at a local flea market for $10.

In needleworking news, here are more crocheted cross covered rocks.

 

And here is a sweet surprise. A friend from church gave me a lamp that had been her mothers. She knew I loved roses and thought I would like it, as she's not really a rose person, like I am. It fits right into FlowerLady's eclectic look.

Ok, I think that is it. Enough of an overload for you. So, if you don't see me in the next couple of weeks, you'll know why.

Let us keep focused on God, call out to Him in prayer for our needs, for the needs of our country, and the whole world. Let us be thankful, forgiving, encouraging, patient and kind. God bless and keep you all, and may we all be drawn closer to Him.

FlowerLady