I’ve already shared this week about feeling pretty down and missing my parents. I didn’t even bother posting on Tuesday because I didn’t have much to say. I’ve been crying and praying and moping and taking sinus medicine for a migraine all week.

And I returned over and over to my old friend–my much underlined and corner folded book of Psalms. If you’re new to the Bible, might I suggest the Psalms? I have found so much comfort there over the last several years. Not only in the praise and thanksgiving, but also in the distress. In the fear. In the feelings of desertion–I’m not the only one!  Even David, a man who had a true heart for God, had bad days. Dark days. Days of fear, anxiety, and depression.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God…” (Psalms 18:6a)

But he stood firm in his faith and if you read for more than a few lines, you see that God is always faithful to his people. Deliverance always follows distress. Blessings always follow righteousness. Answers always come.

“… He heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” (Psalms 18:6b)

My life is no different. This week I’ve struggled with anger, with injustice, with depression and apathy…with “why me?” and “why more?” and “don’t I deserve a break?!”

And His answer?

My God sent me flowers.

Posting these pictures brings tears to my eyes. My gardens have just burst into spring bloom this week. Each day something new. Something bright, something delicate, something bold…something to say “See, your life is not in vain–together we bring beauty to the world!”

I am thankful for roses. For irises. For clematis and spiderwort and azaleas. I am thankful for sunshine and rain. For dirt and compost and worms. For loved ones sharing clippings and plant slips and gifts of green with us. With me. I am thankful for seeing the first hummingbird of the season (no picture though–I was more concerned with coffee at that moment then the camera!)

I’m thankful for fresh asparagus and warm-from-the-nest brown eggs and veggie omlets for dinner …it’s like grocery shopping in our own backyard!

I’m thankful for the first blossoms on our lone peach tree–maybe we’ll finally get some fruit from our “orchard.”

And I am thankful for my early morning bloom-hunters to share it all with!

What are you thankful for this week?

 

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.” (Psalms 61:1-4)

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