Unloading

The righteous person faces many troubles,
    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalm 34:19 

 

In case you haven't noticed, we are going to face trials, troubles, and struggles.  If you aren't please don't tell me.  I admit it, when my life is going along fairly well, I tend to forget to thank God for it.  However, when the avalanche of struggles drop on me, I cry out to Him wondering why He would allow struggle to happen to me.  

 

Let's face it, if everything in our lives ran perfectly and we had no struggles or trials or temptations...then we would get complacent and comfortable and why would we need God?  Or would we simply take it for granted that He's making everything work for us?

 

I mentioned before that one of the nuggets of wisdom I was told as a child was: "If you ain't bumpin' into the devil, you're probably walking with him."  In this life we WILL have to deal with struggles and trials.  David made this point extremely clear.  And I love reading the Psalms because of David's brutal honesty.  Sometimes he unloaded his heart in anguish and others he shared his sheer joy because God had rescued him.

 

How about us?  Do we have such a relationship with God that we, like David, feel free enough to unload our very soul to Him?  Today would be a good day to start, wouldn't it?

En Garde!

Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 

 

I have a confession to make...I absolutely LOVE my job!  I get to meet, talk with, and work with the best people!  Working in Law Enforcement is a very challenging and rewarding career.  And being able to be a Law Enforcement Chaplain is the best career I could have ever hoped for.  Having said that, there is a downside to this career.  Every day I hear, see, and talk with Deputies about the negative aspects of their job.  One of the side effects of being a Law Enforcement Officer is the tendency to become calloused.  And one of the side effects of being a Law Enforcement Chaplain is the same, becoming calloused.

 

When one becomes calloused, they aren't troubled by the things they see, hear and experience.  This helps protect the heart from being hurt, but it also shuts out the very love we should have for others.  I have caught myself reading about crimes with injuries and feeling absolutely nothing.  That's when I got scared!

 

It is VITAL that we protect our hearts.  We must be careful where we allow our affections to go; we must also be very careful to protect our hearts from becoming desensitized toward others.  Remember, Jesus guarded His heart by filling it with boundless love for us.  Fill your heart with love and that will protect it!

Have I Lost That Loving Feeling?

Something has been happening that, I have finally realized, now disturbs me greatly.  I was reading a news article about a tragic shooting and I didn't flinch, I didn't feel any compassion, I didn't have any empathy or pity.......I found myself feeling absolutely nothing.  It was at that point that I realized that I have become so jaded and calloused by the constant flow of sights, scenes, tragic events, that my heart no longer registered shock or pain or anything really.  

I am grateful that God has chosen to work with me on changing this, but it's frightening to go through each day without feeling.  

God promised: "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." - Ezekiel 36:26. 

My prayer, not just for me but for all of us, is that we will not become so jaded, calloused, and hard hearted that we no longer are bothered by the pain and struggles around us.

"Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again." - Psalm 51:10

My Heart Hurts

Jesus wept.

John 11:35

Every time I attend a funeral or perform a funeral for someone I have known and cared for, it feels as if the pain will never stop.  I remember, as a child, being told that "men don't cry" and I held in the pain and sorrow for YEARS (not a good idea, by the way).  I wondered why it was okay for Jesus to weep, but wrong for me.  It just didn't make sense.

Finally, there came the day when one my best friend from Middle School and High School died....the flood came out along with the avalanche of all those pent up feelings I wasn't supposed to express.  I wish I could say that I felt better afterwards, but I didn't.  I was extremely ticked off that I was expected to hold all that in for so long.  I vowed that very day to do everything possible to appropriately express instead of continually trying to repress.

Has it been completely successful?  Not always.  But it's better.  You see, I found a verse that was an eye-opener for me: "I pour out my heart to Him and tell Him all my troubles" (Psalm 142:2).  And I began writing what was on my heart, the good, the bad, the ugly, the anger, the joy, all of it!

Now.....it's been quite a few years since I experienced the death of my friend, and I've learned a few things as a result but I won't bore you with most of them because they are specific to me.  But here's something I can share:  When we interact with others, we take part of them with us and they take part of us with them.  The closer friends we are, the more we interact and the more we take from each other to incorporate into us (ever noticed that close friends tend to share common traits, speech patterns, gestures, etc.).  Therefore, when one of the friends dies the one left carries on their legacy through their own lives.

We are part of each other!  Like it or not, we are.  So there!  Ya'll are stuck with me. 

Heart's Desire?

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.
    Who really knows how bad it is?
But I, the Lord, search all hearts
    and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
    according to what their actions deserve.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10 

I was spending time with some friends before Christmas.  When it was time to leave, one of them told all of us "I hope God gives you the desires of your heart."  While that may seem like a friendly and encouraging sentiment, on the way home it struck me....if I were given the desires of my heart, that would be a very bad thing.  There would be some whose entire lineage would disappear from time.  I would be the one with the biggest paycheck instead of pinching pennies.  There would be only one law of the land....mine.  You see, my heart harbors some very dark desires that should NEVER be released.  Pandora's Box has nothing on the evil that lurks in the shadows of my heart.

Instead of seeking the desires of my own heart, it would be proper and much better on the general populace if I prayed that God would change my heart, change my desires, clear my heart of shadowy places, and help me focus on God's desire for my life.  As the Psalmist declares in Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."

Perhaps we should start 2018 praying Psalm 51:10 every day.  "Father, Create in ME a clean heart and renew a loyal spirit within me THIS DAY.  I praise You and Thank You for loving me enough to cleanse me and renew me and call me by name and using me for Your purposes."  Think about it! 

Ballistic Vests And Protection

Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 

 

Have you ever thought about how much gear our First Responders have to carry and wear?  If amazes me that they can even move with all that stuff.  But each item has an important purpose and that purpose is to provide protection to the First Responder.  I'm going to be completely honest, I am glad First Responders have all that gear to keep them safe, because when THEY are safe I am going to be safe.

 

Now here's something that I, as a Chaplain, have dealt with many times in the past and probably will continue to deal with until Jesus returns...with all the First Responders see, experience, face, and endure it shouldn't be any wonder why it is easy for them to become jaded and calloused.  It's as if they have replaced their heart with a cast iron box that nothing can penetrate.  And that makes family life difficult.

 

So how can we help prevent having a cast iron heart?  By protecting it!  "GUARD YOUR HEART ABOVE ALL ELSE!" Can't get much clearer than that.  Guard your heart so that you can remember that "thou art human."  And here's the fun part, those of us who are not First Responders can help with the heart guarding by being grateful and encouraging.  Thank a First Responder.  Perhaps, if you feel generous, purchase their meal.  Help your children to share their gratitude as well.  I have to smile every time I see the posts on Facebook of Richland County's "High-Five Fridays" where the Deputies go to the schools and high-five the children as they come in.  

 

It isn't difficult to be an encourager, it just takes a little thought and time.  Remember, we are to do to others as we want done to us.  Encourage to be encouraged.  Share gratitude to be shown gratitude. 

Radiate!

As water reflects the face,
    so the heart reflects one person to another.

Proverbs 27:19 

 

Have you ever watched a pet see their reflection in the water for the first time?  Child do this too.  They either want to fight with it, play with it, or are afraid of it. I saw a documentary on some tribes in places like New Guinea or deep within the Amazon, who believe their reflection truly reveals their spirit and they also believe that cameras steal their spirit (which is held within the photo).

 

Think about how much time we spend looking into reflective surfaces, making adjustments to our appearance, checking to make sure we didn't spill any of our lunch, are our seams straight (if you are military, check your "gig" line to make sure you are squared away).  We spend vast amounts of time looking at our reflections.

 

One television program I used to watch with so much regularity that I purchased the DVD, was called "Keeping Up Appearances."  The main character's entire life revolved around the appearance of perfection and putting on airs to convince others she was of the "upper crust" of society.

 

However, this devotional is not about what we look like.  Our actions tell more about us than our appearance.   Some of the most physically attractive people have some of the most ugly hearts.  

 

My bride and I watch HGTV and enjoy the home repair programs.  One episode of one of the programs, which is no longer being aired, the home flipper told his crew to paint over the rotting wood so they could sell the house before the rot was discovered, he called it "sugar coating" the house.  How often do we do that?  We want people to see us as more than we are? 

 

Are you caring?  Your actions will prove it.  Are you obnoxious? Your actions will prove it.  

 

Rule of Thumb: "Your Actions Prove You!"   

It's Just STUFF!

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, 

and thieves do not break in and steal.  

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:19-21

 

Have you ever seen those tabloids that focus on the "rich, famous, and glamorous"? Have you even secretly wanted to have their life?  How about just their stuff?  

 

Take a look around you, how many people work hard for the sole purpose of stuff accumulation?  How many people just have to have the latest and greatest?  Do they ever seem content with anything? 

 

No, I'm not trying to fault anyone for working hard or for their getting new stuff.  But please remember, it's just stuff!  

 

When the Great Depression arrived in 1929, there were two groups of people: 

     Those who had a lot and lost everything.

     Those who had very little and lost very little.

 

Those who had very little knew how to survive on very little.  They learned to adapt, overcome, and share what little they had.

 

Those who had a lot and lost everything were devastated!  Several even committed suicide because they couldn't survive without all their stuff.  Many learned to scale back and survive though, but with a lot less stuff.

 

We focus so much on stuff that we crowd out the provisions that God gives us every single day.  Jesus reminds us that whatever it is that holds our focus and our desires reveals our hearts.  So.......stuff or God?  That must be proven by our actions and focus.

Clean Like New!

Create for me a clean heart, O God!
Renew a resolute spirit within me!

Psalm 51:10

 

I have probably told you before, but sit right back and you're going to hear it again.  In 2005, I began feeling very sluggish and became easily tired.  Finally, I went to the doctor to get a physical.  During the stress test, my left arm went numb.  The doctor stopped the test and told me "You aren't going home."  And within 48 hours, I had quadruple bypass surgery at the ripe old age of 43.  I admit, I did NOT enjoy the recovery process, especially when the incision (which went from chest to belly) began to itch on the inside.  Not just a slight itch like a bug bite....oh NO!  It was that itch like you're wearing a cheap wool sweater against your skin and you cannot scratch it!

 

The itch listed for a few weeks and I was told that I needed to start getting out to exercise a bit more than walking to the mailbox and back.  So I began to toddle off determined to make it to the end of the street.  And I felt AMAZING!  In fact, I felt SO amazing that I kept right on going until I had walked the entire block.  It was as if the doctor ad put a brand new heart in me.  

 

When I went back to the cardiologist for a check up, he told me that bypasses were helping the blood flow more freely and that was why it felt so much better.  He said the blood was flowing through clean arteries for the first time in a long time.  

 

This, like so many other experiences, got filed away to use later.  Well, welcome to later! When you look at a dirty window, the light can still get in and you can still see out (for the most part), but you see things from a dirty and jaded perspective, just like the blood that flowed through my clogged arteries.  But when the window is cleaned, the perspective changes!  It's like seeing the sight for the first time!  And my heart thought the new arteries were amazing because the blood could flow without being sluggish or jaded.

 

As you prepare for the beginning of a brand new year, begin it with a brand new, clear, clean heart! Ask God to give you one, He's good at it and is always willing!   

 

Protect Your Mind!

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 

~Romans 16:17-18

Did you know that there are people who are divisive?  We see it every single day.  The divisive people are usually those who are too cowardly to step into the light of view and debate.  They choose to cast stones from the shadows without regard to who will be hurt by their words. Divisive people stir up trouble and seem to enjoy the chaos, again because they do so from the shadows.  

The Apostle Paul reminds us to be wary of those who seek to be divisive!  Yet over and over we see such people who will mindlessly follow simply because the rhetoric is the latest popular thing, or because they just want to be "part of change," or some other excuse that deflects the responsibility to THINK away from themselves.  Remember the excuse: "Well, every one else is doing it!"  Does that make it right. 

Jesus reminds us "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak" (Matthew 12:36). Therefore, we must be careful what we say and what we think.  Because for most of us, what's in our mind is going to come out of our mouth (and God WILL hold us accountable).

Solomon wrote in his Proverbs: "Guard your heart [and mind] above all else, for it determines the course of your life" (Proverbs 4:23).  So how do we put a guard on our hearts and minds?  How do we keep from becoming a casualty of the divisive person's bombs?  Allow me to give you some very practical counsel:

     *  If a statement is 99.99999% true and 0.00001% false, it is a LIE!  Don't let the lies into your mind!  If that means you have to stop reading their words or stop listening their words or even remove yourself from them, DO IT!  Better to walk away than become a casualty!

     *  Remember that YOU control what you let into your heart and mind! Be selective!  Be careful!

     *  People will say whatever they want about you for whatever reason they want and there's little you can do to stop them.  BUT....YOU control how you choose to react to them.

  

Perhaps the best counsel I have found comes from Paul's letter to the Philippian church (Chapter 4 Verse 8):

 Finally, brothers and sisters, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is worthy of respect, 

whatever is just, 

whatever is pure,

 whatever is lovely, 

whatever is commendable, 

if something is excellent or praiseworthy, 

THINK ON THESE THINGS.

We are bombarded with lots of garbage every day, but WE get to decide what we let into our minds.  If it's not building you up and making you better, then it's not worth your time to think about!

Treadmills are EVIL!!!!

And my God will supply every need of yours 

according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:19

While you are reading this, I am having my Nuclear Stress Test (aka, my cardiologist's idea of fun for me).  Last time I had one of these, I admit I was terrified.  The entire night before the test I was anxious, worried, not looking forward to enduring such torture.  I was stressed WAY before the stress test!

But the more I thought about it over the years, I have come to realize that God is the one in control.  And He is in control of EVERYTHING!  So why worry?

Grampa once told me: "What have YOU got to be worried about? God gave you life and it's HIS job to get you through it!"  So....today I am letting God do His work with me and I will be grateful when the snack breaks come around.  I need coffee!!!

 

Money, Money Money, Money!

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

  Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44

I have heard this story many many times throughout my time on this earth.  I have heard it told to support the idea that it's not how much you give to the church...it's about why you give to the church.  I have heard it told to support the idea that giving is not optional (guilt, guilt, guilt).  I have heard it told to support the idea that "We have staff to support, programs to fund, buildings to build/renovate, and so many other projects that need funding."  Then we find out that these well meant funds include a right healthy staff raise, perhaps a new car for the pastor (that is far better than anyone else in the congregation has), and the programs being funded aren't helping anyone locally.

We use this story to suit our own greed.  We use this story to encourage giving. We use this story to do many things.  But the thing I want you to understand is when is Enough truly Enough?  Jesus never said that we were not to give.  Jesus did teach against greed and doing things just for the purpose of being showy (drawing attention to how "holy and righteous" you think you are).

Now, those two copper coins were just enough to buy about one sandwich worth of day old bread.  That was ALL this woman had!  But the truth of this story is not about money!    Do you REALLY think God has any desire for your money?  If God needs something funded, He will provide the money.  

The true meaning of this story is about the heart. God wants us to be so reliant on Him that we do not fear!   He wants us to love and trust Him so much that should we lose EVERYTHING...we will trust Him to provide what we need.  And God usually provides for our needs in such unexpected ways that we can't help but know it was God who provided.  God also wants us to love and trust Him so much that we aren't afraid to be the source of help for someone who is truly in need.  Think about it!

Better Than Others!

Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

~Matthew 15:10-11

 

Ever know anyone who thought they were better than everyone else?  Nah, me neither.  Arrogant people don't exist except in nightmares, right?

 

During Jesus' time, the Pharisees (church leaders) had become very arrogant because they claimed that they followed every single law.  There were laws on giving 10% to the church, so the Pharisees gave 10% of EVERYTHING to the church (from things they grew in their gardens, to the herbs they were given, to the clothing they were given, to the food they were given as well as their wages).  

 

There were laws regarding keeping the Sabbath holy and doing no work.  So the Pharisees made sure they walked no more than the permitted number of steps, carried no more than the permitted weight, and did nothing beyond the permitted activities on the Sabbath.  They would even go so far as to not help an injured person because to do so would break the rules of the Sabbath.

 

There were rules for keeping clean, so they washed themselves frequently and washed everything they owned frequently.  

 

They were very careful to eat only what was allowed by the rules and just as careful to avoid eating anything not on the approved list. 

 

They did all of these things so people would notice them and be impressed by how dedicated and "holy" they were.  Then here comes this Jesus guy telling the people that it's not what goes INTO your body that makes you evil, rather it's what comes out of your heart (and consequently out of your mouth) that makes you evil.  What Jesus was saying was scandalous to the Proud Pharisees!  

 

Jesus never said that we should go overboard with what we put into our bodies.  He just reminded us that following a bunch on inconsequential rules did not make you worthy of God's Love and Mercy! 

 

What's Got You All Bugged Today?

So don’t worry about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will bring its own worries. 

Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

~Matthew 6:34

 

If you read the news, watch the news, or in some other form take in the news, you hear a lot about how the world seems to be falling apart.  The events of late tell of a society where rules have become suggestions.  More and more laws are being called for on one side, without realizing that these laws are going to be difficult to enforce.  On the other side, we have groups calling for laws to be done away with because they infringe on "personal freedoms."  If you take all this at face value, you will find yourself upset and worried about the future.

 

We are a worrying bunch of people, aren't we?  We are worried and upset about things that we cannot control.  We are worried and upset about things that may or may not happen at some undetermined point in the vague distant future.  We worry about everything and it is not good for us!!!

 

I've explained this before and I am going to explain it again, mainly because I need the reminder and you have to come along with me.

 

As a general rule of thumb, God created each of us with two eyes which are placed in the FRONT of our face.  We can see what is happening in front of us as we are going (but that is no guarantee that we will be any less clumsy).  Now God could have put our eyes in the BACK of our heads.  While that might seem silly and stupid, how many people waste time focusing on the past?  Hmmm....not so stupid now, huh?  

 

As a general rule of thumb, God gave us one nose, also in the front.  Now....how many breaths can you take at one time?  ONE!  Why? Because God has created life so that it only comes at us one breath at a time!

 

A perfect rule of thumb is found in the Serenity Prayer: "Lord help me to accept those things I cannot change; the courage to change those things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

 

Jesus told us not to worry!  Several times in Scripture we are told not to worry.  Focus on God, do what is right, and don't worry!   

Guard Your Heart!

Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

~Proverbs 4:23 

What is the focus of your life? Is it your wallet?  Perhaps it's your job?  Maybe even your family?  Or is it the weekend?

Have you ever done a half-hearted job or just enough to get by and then wonder why someone else got the accolades or promotion?  Because your heart wasn't in the project!

Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that "As a man thinks, so is he."  

Want to be a better spouse?  Make your spouse the most important earthly relationship in your life and make that relationship your offering to God!  

Want to be noticed (positively) at work? Remember that you work for God and make your efforts your offering to Him!

You see, we will reflect our hearts! I've said it before and I'll share it again: "What's in your well comes up in your bucket!"  Want your life to be better? Then focus on the positive instead of drowning yourself in the negative sludge!  Yes, it will take a LOT of effort to change perspective.  No, it will not be instantaneous.  BUT, your efforts will be rewarded! 

You reflect your heart!  And you determine what you let into your heart to be reflected.  Guard your heart!!! 

Gimme A Break!

Make allowance for each other’s faults, 

and forgive anyone who offends you. 

Remember, the Lord forgave you, 

so you must forgive others.

~Colossians 3:13

Ever wonder why God put dogs on this earth?  I think I have finally figured out a small piece of that question.  We have a greyhound.  She is a retired racer we named Abby.  Now Abby is very routine oriented.  She knows when she is supposed to get fed; she knows when she is supposed to get a "good girl" cookie; She knows when she is supposed to get her 'bedtime' cookie.  Not only that, but Abby is not afraid to remind me when it's time.  

But I forgot to give her the bedtime cookie on Saturday, despite her reminding harrumphs and snorts and pouting, I got distracted working on a project and just forgot.  But when it did sink in, at 1:00am, I got up and got her cookie and brought it to her.  At first, she turned away and made sure I knew she wasn't looking at me.  I told her that I was sorry for forgetting and put the cookie on her bed.  It didn't take long before I heard crunching followed by a belch followed by wet lock to my face.  I had been forgiven!  We were good again. Abby teaches me a LOT about forgiveness and patience every day.  You see, Abby loves me in spite of myself.

Then there are people.  People aren't so forgiving.  People seem to enjoy being angry.  People seem to relish in take advantage of the kindness of others.  People seem to love ticking each other off!  Why is that?  

Why is it that WE want to be forgiven immediately, but aren't so quick to forgive others (especially if THEY don't apologize to us).  In today's verse, Paul reminds us that we are to be QUICK to forgive others because, after all, God has forgiven us.

Not only that, but if you recall the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive US OUR sins IN THE SAME WAY WE forgive OTHERS."   I didn't say that, Jesus did!

Forgiveness is a decision that we must make.  Do you want to be forgiven, then learn to forgive!  Forgiveness is a gift....don't be afraid to give it.   

Change....It's About Trust!

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. 

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

Then you will experience God’s peace, 

which exceeds anything we can understand. 

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:6-7 

 

Saul had a job to do and he LOVED his job!  In fact, he was so enthusiastic about his job that he developed a reputation for his passion for his work.  His job?  Tearing apart the Church, jailing or killing or torturing Christians, and then off to the next town to do it all over again.  When Saul showed up, people ran and hid!  People left town!  Saul terrified people and he relished that reputation.

 

As it happened, Saul and his band of merry church destroyers were on their way to Damascus to, once again, do what they do best.  And as they traveled the road, Jesus came and Saul faced the change in his life he never expected or wanted!  Jesus blinded Saul.  In fact, Saul the Ruthless was now having to be led around by someone else because he was helpless.  

 

Think about this:  Sometimes when change comes into our lives, it is not what we expected or wanted.  It might leave us feeling helpless...just like Saul.  But if you read Acts 19, you will see that Saul the Ruthless eventually became Paul the Apostle who wrote most of the New Testament.  

 

In 2005, my wife and I went for a walk.  We had just moved into our home and we were walking around the neighborhood.  My left arm started to tingle...then it went numb.  Not a good feeling, let me tell you.  Later that week, I went in for my physical and the doc put me on the stress test treadmill.  In the middle of the test, my left arm went numb again and the test had to be stopped.  Doc called my wife to come get me and take me to the hospital where he had already scheduled a heart cath.  

 

Now....when you are laying on that stainless steel table with no dignity left, and they release the dye into your artery (so they can see what's going on) and you hear the attending physician mutter: "WOW!"  That is NOT what you expect or want to hear!  I knew change was coming and I wasn't going to like it.  A quadruple bypass and 6 months of recovery later, my life has changed for the better.  Yes, I had to make some hard choices and had to accept some choices that were made for me.  But had that not happened, I wouldn't be here now writing this.

 

My Grampa had a way with words, often quite colorful, and he once told me: "S&$t happens. Your choice is to wallow in it, step in it, or step over it, or shovel it into your garden so you can have a good crop."  Change happens!  What you do with it determines the crop you will grow from it.

 

Don't worry or be anxious! Give it go God and let Him make a masterpiece out of your life! The caterpillar cannot become the butterfly without change.