Rock Flowers

 Recently, one of my daughters sent me this charming bouquet to bring some cheer & comfort upon the loss of my dear 'little' brother, who, unexpectedly, crossed over into his Promised Land & into Jesus arms. This isn't the first time that family loved ones have crossed over, & there is always joy (for those who are with the ones they love who are already in heaven) mixed with grief of the ones who are left behind, to look at the empty chair, the empty bed, the silenced voice, the presence that just isn't. My first birthday that there was no phone call. When we called each other, we would talk sometimes for two or even three hours, talking, laughing, joking, & just 'being together'. I am eight years older than Scottie & we lived quite a distance away in different states. But the family familiarity was always there so no matter what the time between 'visits', it was like picking up where you left off. We always talked about Jesus too. & the last thing we always said to each other was "I love you". The last time I talked to him was on his birthday, in September. So we are coming up on Thanksgiving now, & crossing another 'first' to say, 'until we meet again', but I miss him not being here. Others suffer too. Two of my friends won't spend the holiday with husbands this year. Another friend has said goodbye to her mother, another friend, to her son. I have said farewell for now to a beloved horse & sweet, sweet dog. & there are other hard times, financial, relationships, loneliness, unwanted divorce, cruel losses beyond our control. Make no mistake. These times come to all who live or who have ever lived. But the question is, through it all, as our Father's children, how do we respond to the loss, the endless waiting, the cruel injustice that resulted in devastation in our own personal lives & those we love. Sometimes those are the hardest losses to bear. & times when joy doesn't come in the morning, or mourning. at least not in the time frame that we have set. Jesus said,  "In this world you will have tribulation..." John 16:33

definition of tribulation:

"A state of great trouble or suffering"

How have we responded to those times as the followers of Jesus. I have had brothers & sisters in Jesus that have become bitter & angry & have left the Lord & gone willingly into the camp of the enemy & pitched their tent. Others have become cynical, hard & distant. Still others have stopped following Jesus because He didn't answer in the way they thought He would. or He isn't the Jesus that they have created, which isn't who Jesus is at all. When we have been thrust into the time of trouble or suffering, & not by choice, we do have a choice in our response. I was reading from a favorite devotional a few days ago, an entry on my birthday date.

"I have always been glad that the psalmist said to God that some things were hard. There are hard things in life. Some beautiful pink flowers were given me this summer & as I took them I asked, "What are these?" And the answer came, "They are rock flowers; they grow & bloom only on rocks where you can see no soil." Then I thought of God's flowers growing in hard places & I feel , somehow, that He may have a peculiar tenderness for His "rock flowers" that He may not have for His lilies & roses." Margaret Bottome

The above flowers are called 'Verbena'. I planted them in a barrel with a variety of other flowers the first of June. These flowers have survived several frosts, freezing temperatures, an ice storm & high winds. I took this picture this morning. It has far outlived it's sister & brother summer flowers. You can look up the hardiness of the 'Verbena' flower, but henceforth, I will call them "Rock Flowers". They not only survived the literal storms of life, they thrived. & have encouraged & inspired me!

God has many, many Rock Flowers in His garden. & they mostly thrive & flourish in the Gardens of Gethsemane. They are steady. They are strong. They are patient. They are enduring. & they are precious to His heart. & when Jesus calls us home, wouldn't you like to be in that 'plucked by His own hands' bouquet of Rock Flowers? I know I would.

Raintree Perk of the Day:

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, & His mercy endures FOREVER!

& to you growing Rock Flowers, who are tempest tossed, the conclusion of the verse, John 16:33, 

"...but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world"!  & because He did so can we!! Onward & upward fellow Rock Flowers!

Happiest EVER Thanksgiving!!