Inspired by . . .  rest

We've had so much wind here these last few weeks my poor plants are feeling tattered and {I'm sure} thinking they were better off back at the nursery! How can they grow, and bloom, and become all they were meant to be when they're constantly assaulted and beaten down by these winds?

 

 

Does this sound a bit like your life?

Do you want to "bloom where you're planted" only to find that you're constantly battered by the storms of life? Going from one crisis to the next, barely keeping your head above water?

 

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  Hebrews 4:9

 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28

 

 

It requires all the energy that the plant has to produce a bloom. To do so it must be connected to the Source. The stalk, the vine, the root, whatever the case may be.

 

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

 

In order for you to bloom – I mean really bloom, you must be connected to Him. Part of being connected to Him is resting in Him. When we come to Him and willingly give up our burdens – and rest – that is when He {re} fills us up with the life-giving, life-saving stuff we need to bloom and bless!

Here's one thing I know for sure; Jesus will not come to you and wrestle those burdens away. He will not come and demand them from you.

You must come to Him.  And willingly give - that which you really don't want anyway, but may have become a little too comfortable with?

 

It's time.

You know what you need to do.

 

 

Blessings,

 

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Inspired by . . . chinaberry

Driving in the the other day I noticed that our chinaberry tree was in bloom – and attracting a lot of attention!

A quick grab of my camera and I was back down at the base of the tree, neck craned back, inhaling the heavenly scent as I attempted to shoot the flying flowers swarming the tree's pale lavender blooms. After about 30 minutes of chasing the black and oranges flutter bugs around my neck insisted I stop. The conditions weren't great -  it was pretty windy – but I got a few shots that I thought were good enough to share with you.

 

Chinaberry tree

Synonym(s): Melia azedarach var. umbraculifera
Family: Meliaceae (Mahogany Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Tree

Native Origin: Himalayas

 

Black Swallowtail

 

Monarch

 

Textured with Kim's kk_way

 

Black Swallowtail

Textured with Kim's kk_felicity

 

Swallowtail

 

Well, I have more butterflies to chase . . . .

 

Have a wonder-filled day!

 

Blessings,

 

 

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Inspired by . . . the lone star state

When my mom moved to Texas a couple of years ago a friend gave her a bumper sticker that reads, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!" It's a fun sentiment, but I can't honestly say that I've spent the first 35 years of my life trying to get here. What I can honestly say is that when I moved here seven years ago it felt like coming home.

 

 

The state flower is the bluebonnet and what a beauty she is!   "The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland," affirms historian Jack Mcguire.

 

 

Did you know that Texas actually has five state flowers? All of them are bluebonnets!

1. Lupinus subcarnosus, the original champion and still co-holder of the title, grows naturally in deep sandy loams from Leon County southwest to LaSalle County and down to the northern part of Hidalgo County in the Valley. It is often referred to as the sandy land bluebonnet. The plant's leaflets are blunt, sometimes notched with silky undersides. This species, which reaches peak bloom in late March, is not easy to maintain in clay soils.
2. Lupinus texensis, the favorite of tourists and artists, provides the blue spring carpet of Central Texas. It is widely known as THE Texas bluebonnet. It has pointed leaflets, the flowering stalk is tipped with white (like a bunny's tail) and hits its peak bloom in late March and early April. It is the easiest of all the species to grow.
3. Lupinus Havardii, also known as the Big Bend or Chisos Bluebonnet, is the most majestic of the Texas bluebonnet tribe with flowering spikes up to three feet. It is found on the flats of the Big Bend country in early spring, usually has seven leaflets and is difficult to cultivate outside its natural habitat.
4. Lupinus concinnus is an inconspicuous little lupine, from 2 to 7 inches, with flowers which combine elements of white, rosy purple and lavender. Commonly known as the annual lupine, it is found sparingly in the Trans-Pecos region, blooming in early spring.
5. Lupinus plattensis sneaks down from the north into the Texas Panhandle's sandy dunes. It is the only perennial species in the state and grows to about two feet tall. It normally blooms in mid to late spring and is also known as the dune bluebonnet, the plains bluebonnet and the Nebraska Lupine.

 

 

I've added white and pink bluebonnets to my bucket list. They're very rare. There is a legend about the pink bluebonnet.  You can read it here: Legend of the Pink Bluebonnet

 

 

The name Texas is based on the Caddo word tejas, meaning "friend" or "allies."

It's true the concept of size is a little different here. Texas is the 2nd largest state {behind Alaska} and has the world's 13th largest economy. No kidding.

I've seen cows here that stood taller than horses, and jackrabbits that I mistook for small deer. No kidding.

It's a pretty fabulous place. And if you're ever in the neighborhood, remember . . .

 

. . . you have a friend in Texas!

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

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Mona's Floral Love

Inspired by . . . an incorruptible seed

Last year we were blessed with a beautiful morning glory vine that emerged at the corner of our porch and made it's way up {with a little help from me} onto the railing.

 

 

Last fall when the vine went to seed I harvested the seeds and saved them for replanting this year. I'm hoping to have a matching vine on the other side of the porch!

Of course, not all of the seeds I planted germinated. Some of them were bad. Corrupted. Instead of experiencing a rebirth, into something beautiful, the seeds remained dead.

 

 

First Peter tells us that:

 

You have been born again, not from a seed that can be destroyed, but through God's everlasting word that can't be destroyed. That's why Scripture says,
"All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower of the field. The grass dries up and the flower drops off,
but the word of the Lord lasts forever." This word is the Good News that was told to you. 

1 Peter 1:23-25

 

The seed that the Lord plants in the fertile soil of the Believer's heart cannot be destroyed.

When the seeds are properly watered. . .

Do I listen to what God's word is telling me to do?

. . . weeded. . .

Do I repent when convicted of sin?

. . . and pollinated. . .

Do I believe and obey the word?

. . . there follows a beautiful harvest of FAITH!

 

 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

 

God plants His word in our hearts, and we live it out by faith.

How are you living out your faith today?

There are a million ways, big and small – I'd love to hear!

 

Blessings,

 

 

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