See the Green

    It’s spring, a time to see growth, your growth.  It’s a time to see how far
you’ve actually come, how you've developed and be encouraged to expect more.  See the green.

     This is one of my favorite passages from the “Marry Me!” book. Visualize it with me.

    "I was driving home one warm spring day and stopped at a red light and saw a grounds crew in action outside a church. They were strategically moving fresh, black top soil and cedar mulch around the landscape’s shrubbery.  My attention was drawn to the lush green bushes. Even from the street I could easily see the variation of a few inches of new, lighter green, fresh growth at the tips of each branch. How rich, vibrant and prospering they were! 

     Some years ago when we lived on acreage, we planted additional spruce trees for interest and to create a border from the country road. It was a day of sure sweat equity.  I participated with all my muscles and weight on the transplant day, as we couldn't afford a landscape company. As time went on, each spring and throughout the summer I’d walk the grounds checking to see how much fresh growth had come and how tall and fat the trees had become, how much our hefty work had paid off and how our vision was taking place.  I’d touch and stroke the soft, light green needles on the tips of the branches and know the trees were maturing into something even more desirable, providing visual pleasure and blockage from the road.  Those tips of growth felt so good in my fingers and the trees grew sturdier and more beautiful every year.

    How’s your new, green growth? Have you looked at it? Step back and look back and see the progress you have made in your healing or your situation and what you have come through thus far. See? Healing and growth are happening and will continue to, if you praise God, let your heart be changed and do the work that goes with it. Growth and transition gone through with the Lord as your gardener will come in soft and pleasing, not prickly, harsh or bitter.  "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus"  (Philippians 1:6 NASB).

                              How far is it from here to there? Where am I in the “there”? I am clearly not where I was! Be encouraged.  You are increasing.  You are advancing.  You are progressing.  See your green!  It's beautiful.  You're beautiful!"   (p. 240-241 edited)

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