Made to Flourish

My journey with the Lord has revealed that I was made to flourish! One of my favorite past times is gardening, indoor and outdoor gardening. I liken myself unto a perennial. I’ve been planted on purpose, with purpose.

One might say my life began in unplanned and to some,unpardonable circumstances. I was born in NY to teen parents and raised by a single mother with two siblings in the intercity of Columbus, Ohio. I was not raised in a Christian home, but God began to make himself known to me at an early age. His strength, protection and provisions were evident in my life.

Perennials are persistent, enduring and persevering.

-One season in life does not define us.

-God has a purpose and a plan for each of us.

I was made to flourish

As a child, I was always drawn to church and to those who attended church.  I was excited to go to church when invited by a friend.  I even walked and rode a bus to church on many occasions.  There, I felt “welcome and at home”.  When I was in my feels… sad, frustrated, afraid…I would pray, though I really had no understanding of prayer, it just felt right.  

As a young adult my grandma and I started attending church together, regularly. At that time in my life, my eyes and ears were wide open and my heart was receptive to God. Within a short time of attending church, I accepted Christ as my personal saviour and was soon baptized. This was the beginning of my personal and intimate walk with Him. My longing from when I was a child had been answered.

Perennials have deep roots.

-God knew us before we were formed.

-He is who we long for.

-God will draw us unto Him.

I was made to flourish.

I am a wife, homeschool mom of ten children, and MawMaw to our grandchildren. During the long season of my life when I was bearing, nurturing, training and homeschooling many of our children together, my days and nights were consumed at home. Though I was blessed to be busy with those very important roles, I was also active using my gifts and talents right where I was at…. in our home serving my husband and children, at our home and at the park leading a weekly bible study (for 15 years) and in my small homeschool community at meetings and activities. As a stay at home, homeschool wife and mother, I also helped my husband with his business and I taught create classes and made and sold my merchandise to others.

Perennials are active even when dormant (inert-lack ability or strength to move, latent-hidden, concealed).

-You are important to God.  

-He wants to use us even in our inert or latent season.

-Through our roles God uses us to glorify Him.

I was made to flourish.

Along this womanhood journey there have been seasons of disappointment, despair, loss and grief, through it all God is my anchor.  I have learned to be self-aware, that is to be honest with me about me and to be honest with God about me.  He is my source of life abundant.  The Holy Spirit nurtures and keeps me.  As my seasons are revealed to me, I can put my trust in the Lord to prepare my heart and mind for a good work.  Even though I may experience frost, drought, wind and rain by His grace, I will “shoot up” again!

Perennials thrive and bloom in season.

-He is our source of life abundant we must stay connected to Him.

-The Holy Spirt nurtures us with its fruits …peace, joy, patience, kindness…

-Remember, God is with us always.

I was made to flourish.

Whatever season of life you find yourself in today, May you be reminded that you too were made to flourish.

Psalm 37:3-6

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.