March always brings out the worst in me. I find my heart tapping its foot impatiently waiting for warmer weather and spring to bloom. I become “hangry”. Hungry for spring and angry because it won’t come fast enough.
I know. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? I know better than to groan and moan. But I’m restless and tired of colorless grass, and bare branches. I know that soon the trees will be dressed in green, and it will be too hot to wear my favorite boots. Yet, the colorless days seem to drag on. And even though I live in the South where summer comes much quicker than in Boston where we couldn’t plant flowers until June, I still find myself complaining.
Big sigh.
I’m glad I got that off my chest. Thanks for letting me vent. As I grumbled about the wait for spring yesterday, I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and came to this:
. . . and suddenly the tulips took my breath away, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting picture for this wonderful verse. Sometimes we just need tulips–those impatient flowers who race to bloom before all the other flowers. The tulips remind me of God’s grace, His empowering, faithful, colorful grace.
The tulips remind me that God gives us what we need exactly when we need it. Perhaps He designed the tulip to bloom while frost still threatens for people like me who need color in March. The tulip’s season will end. The blooms will wilt, but by then, the warmer weather will allow other flowers to awaken. All. in. His. time.
I’ve been worried about something lately. Heartsick actually, just not feeling up to the task at hand. I’ve been telling the Lord that I can’t do it. I can’t walk into this next part of the journey. I don’t have the skills, the platform, the energy . . .
And I’ve felt guilty about it. I’ve compared myself to all the people around me doing what I do, and I fall short. So short.
But my friends, today God whispered in my heart the very scripture that was the “Bite of Bread” for today. And He told me, “I hear you, Andy. Do you see this promise of mine? I’m good for it. I will give you the empowering grace you need to walk this next section of the journey.
Are you worried about doing something God has led you to do? Do you feel unqualified and weak unable to fulfill the task at hand? Are you comparing yourself to your peers and feel stifled, unable to move?
If so, please read 2 Corinthians 9:8 above again.
He is able to bless you ABUNDANTLY, so that in ALL things at ALL times you’ll have everything you need to abound . . . Abound . . . ABOUND ! ! ! in every . . . every. . . EVERY. . . good work.
Isn’t He a good God? He’s so personal, present, loving, and able.
I’m going to the store to buy some tulips. I think you should too. (Smile.)
Finding Purpose Beyond Today In God’s Empowering Grace,
The winner of Little Women, Big God, by Debbie Wilson giveaway is . . . drum roll please . . .
Judi Jorge!!!! Congratulations Judi!
Thanks, Andy, for the reminder of God’s Grace. Have a wonderful March!
You’re welcome, Marjorie! Thanks for stopping by. Blessings as you live in His Grace.
Andy, as always, this post comes right on time! Thank you for being faithful to God’s leading. <3
Hey Valerie! We’re often on the same wave length. :) Blessings!
Oh my, my heart hears yours loud and clear. I call it the March-Muddle. And, yes I have been feeling inadequate–drowning in it actually. Thanks for your post. God is faithful. God inspires and empowers. And He just wants us to show up and watch Him work.
Oh Jeanne you live up there where spring is still far away. I’ll be praying for you! I like the term “March-Muddle”. That’s a great name for it!
Boy do I feel your pain…but, when we feel that we are so out of our league that is when I know God is fully in control not me.
Absolutely! Thanks, Debbie!