We went to a restaurant for my birthday yesterday. Ten of us sat around the table at our favorite Mexican hot spot, eating chips and sipping iced tea. We don’t have too many Mexican restaurants out here, so sitting down with chips and salsa is a rare experience for us, unless of course I make it at home.
It was nice having all of the family together, including the grandkids (who didn’t love the concept of waiting for food). They were a little impatient, but even so, well behaved.
I knew that my boys had gone shopping for me. Normally they pick up a gift card on the way to my house, but this year they wanted to put in more effort. This year they all went shopping at Walmart and picked out my gifts.
About 20 minutes into the dinner, Brendan looked over and said, “Oh, yeah… about those gifts…” And with that, all three of them started laughing.
As it turns out, they bought me houseplants. Not knowing the first thing about plants, however, they left them in the trunk of the car to freeze overnight. The next morning they could only be described as sad, soggy, and dead. Those poor little things. (see image below) It really was the thought that counted and I love that they tried. *smile*
Some plants survive in the winter, but most houseplants don’t. Not mine anyway. Even if I’m just running from the store to the car I shield and protect them from cold.
The Lord has a green thumb when it comes to my life. He knows exactly what I need to grow and when I need it. He nurtures and waters my soul. He firmly plants me in the soil of His love. And even though I don’t see it some days, I know that He shields and protects me from harm.
David once wrote,
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7, NIV)
David knew where he stood. He knew he was helpless without the strength and the power of God. He knew that God went before him–to face his enemies and to fight the battle ahead. And, because he knew that, David could rest under the power and strength of His shield.
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Tilling the Soil
Read Psalm 28.
Planting Hope
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7, NIV)
About the Author
DARLENE SCHACHT is an award-winning and NYT best-selling author. She is the founder of Time-Warp Wife Ministries, an online publication that encourages women to live Christ-centered lives.
Her passion for scripture and hunger for truth is the driving force behind a unique ministry that offers Bible studies and daily marriage prayers. Darlene is joined by her husband Michael on the daily podcast “5-Minute Marriage.”
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