Well....just look at these little darlings....
These are the same geraniums from several weeks back. At that time they were serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner for an extended family of caterpillars, who I reckon must've been eating until they were fit to burst!
I had thought I had rooted out all the hungry little diners but some obviously remained lurking somewhere out of sight and continued to feast merrily.
A severe cutting back was required, lots of pruning and constant close inspection and WOW!... how it has paid off!
I'm praying the Lord will do the same in MY life.....
keep me under His close supervision, root out all the destructive qualities which I have allowed to take up residence, prune back that which is unattractive, displeasing and dishonoring to Him, remove the deadwood and cause me to BLOSSOM IN FULL FLOWER FOR HIM.
Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 November 2009
PAINFUL PROGRESS
These were my geranium pots just a couple of months ago - lush green leaves, fresh vibrant healthy flowers, and countless new buds to last the summer through. I've had these particular plants for a number of years now, and I've lovingly tended and cared for them each year, constantly deadheading throughout the flowering season, pruning back and making sure they had shelter and protection from the cold winter winds and frosts.
I have been dead-heading, watering and feeding them through these flowering weeks but I suppose I just haven't been as observant as I should. The past few days there were some tell-tale signs which I chose not to act upon...leaves appearing here and there with little chunks missing...gradually the damage becoming more apparent. Finally today I carried out a closer inspection....there they were...caterpillar after caterpillar after caterpillar!
Ruthless action was called for - all the damage had to be cut away - flowers, leaves, stems, anything showing signs of the bugs - even healthy growth which had the offending invaders lodging on them.
The Lord spoke to me today of how often He must carry out the same painful work in our lives. Something seemingly harmless flies into our lives - just like a pretty butterfly - we take it on board, give it lodging room in our hearts, unawares of the damage to be caused once it has been resident a while. Often things, people and attitudes must be pruned out of our lives and, painful though it may be, we have the assurance that our Heavenly Father loves us will always work for our good.
I know that by cutting back even the healthy leaves and flowers today, I will in time have a much healthier and more productive plant. So it is when the Lord works in our lives - at present we see only the pain but He knows the end result, He knows what He is working towards, and He will work out His perfect plan in our lives
I have been dead-heading, watering and feeding them through these flowering weeks but I suppose I just haven't been as observant as I should. The past few days there were some tell-tale signs which I chose not to act upon...leaves appearing here and there with little chunks missing...gradually the damage becoming more apparent. Finally today I carried out a closer inspection....there they were...caterpillar after caterpillar after caterpillar!
Ruthless action was called for - all the damage had to be cut away - flowers, leaves, stems, anything showing signs of the bugs - even healthy growth which had the offending invaders lodging on them.
The Lord spoke to me today of how often He must carry out the same painful work in our lives. Something seemingly harmless flies into our lives - just like a pretty butterfly - we take it on board, give it lodging room in our hearts, unawares of the damage to be caused once it has been resident a while. Often things, people and attitudes must be pruned out of our lives and, painful though it may be, we have the assurance that our Heavenly Father loves us will always work for our good.
I know that by cutting back even the healthy leaves and flowers today, I will in time have a much healthier and more productive plant. So it is when the Lord works in our lives - at present we see only the pain but He knows the end result, He knows what He is working towards, and He will work out His perfect plan in our lives
LESS PROGRESS - MORE PAIN
Some of you asked for updates on my geranium post 'PAINFUL PROGRESS'? Well, the update is NOT positive! I carried out a little geranium examination today and there, lurking where it could hardly be seen....a massive offending caterpillar! Okay, the last time I checked he was there - I know that NOW - he was probably a tiny egg stowed away on a leaf fold or perhaps just a minute speck of green right before my very eyes, large enough to exist but small enough to go unnoticed. Thing is HE was not alone - I ended up finding 4 invaders!
So yes, it was back to more cutting. You know, I thought I was ruthless in my cutting last time - problem is, I still wanted a pretty plant so I kept what I could. I had retained just enough leaves and flowers to harbour those pesky intruders and of course the damage is evident again.
Oh how I need the Lord - the cleansing of my heart is very much an on-going process. How very close I need to be walking with Him, that I might be aware of that which displeases Him in my life and allow Him to root it out. When I attempt to 'pretty' myself all I do is fail and show myself up for what I really am - the pruning is HIS work....and HE makes NO mistakes.
So yes, it was back to more cutting. You know, I thought I was ruthless in my cutting last time - problem is, I still wanted a pretty plant so I kept what I could. I had retained just enough leaves and flowers to harbour those pesky intruders and of course the damage is evident again.
Oh how I need the Lord - the cleansing of my heart is very much an on-going process. How very close I need to be walking with Him, that I might be aware of that which displeases Him in my life and allow Him to root it out. When I attempt to 'pretty' myself all I do is fail and show myself up for what I really am - the pruning is HIS work....and HE makes NO mistakes.
Friday, 29 May 2009
IN THE NIGHT HOURS...
This time last year I was photographing our garden poppies at different stages of flowering and had the most marvellous revelation and encouragement from the Lord. As a result, I just could not wait for this years poppy season....I've been photographing in anticipation of that same encouragement that comes only from the Lord. And how good is our God - He never fails us as we look to Him.
The top photo was taken on Thursday evening - the first brillaint poppy was already there in all it's glory. Friday morning I looked out and was greeted by another spectacular bloom. O what a God we have - He never slumbers or sleeps. Without daylight or the warmth of sunshine He brings forth the poppy blooms. If our God can so work in the darkness of night to bring the poppies into full flower, what can He do for us? What can He NOT do? Surely we can leave all in His tender care and await His timing for the unexpected blossoms in our lives.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
MY ROCK
'HE ONLY IS MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION' Psalm 62
My favourite little corner of our garden, although it's not in full bloom yet. I love the colours and how the plants drape themselves around the rock - it's not a rock garden but the plants have meandered around these few rocks, the rock giving shape, structure and purpose to their planting. Makes me think of my ROCK - the Lord Jesus Christ and how I want my life to be shaped around Him. He should be central in my life, the one who shapes and moulds me and gives my days purpose and structure, just in the corner where He has planted me. In these days of pain and fatigue I find it impossible to see any purpose but He knows.... He has a plan....
My favourite little corner of our garden, although it's not in full bloom yet. I love the colours and how the plants drape themselves around the rock - it's not a rock garden but the plants have meandered around these few rocks, the rock giving shape, structure and purpose to their planting. Makes me think of my ROCK - the Lord Jesus Christ and how I want my life to be shaped around Him. He should be central in my life, the one who shapes and moulds me and gives my days purpose and structure, just in the corner where He has planted me. In these days of pain and fatigue I find it impossible to see any purpose but He knows.... He has a plan....
Linda the Dahlia
Saturday, 2 May 2009
SPRING 2009
My favourite time of year - the sun is actually beginning to shine in this part of the world - it still rains a lot but....it's brighter! The days are longer, time has 'sprung forward' and there are bursts of colour everywhere......snowdrops, crocuses, tulips, daffodils :) Amazing that they all manage to poke their little heads up through snow, frost and bitter cold winds to herald the passing of winter.
How good is our God - even in the darkest of days the flowers are there. We can walk on by and miss their beauty but, they don't stop being there - we've just missed out on an opportunity to enjoy God's wonderful creation. I so enjoyed a recent walk through the 'Daffodil Gardens', an abundance of spring colour, golden heads sparkling in the sunshine and swaying gently in the breeze. O Lord, may I never cease to appreciate the wonder of spring and the miracle of your changing seasons....and encourage me to appreciate the changing seasons in my own life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)