A Leap
Just a shot from the garden. I love the colors of zinnias. You just can't beat the ease, simplicity, showiness, longevity and beauty of a zinnia. This is why gardening can be such a reprieve from the cares of the world. You are surrounded by simple beauty.
Even when a hungry beetle devistates your beans, it's okay, because that beetle will die come frost, and you can plant more beans next year. You are guaranteed a fresh start.
A fresh start. Isn't that what everyone wants, really, when things get tough, out of control, or frightening? Just a fresh start?
And isn't that what was given us, when Christ conquered death, a fresh start?
That, my friends, is why I like gardening. Start with a simple zinnia, and before long, my thoughts end up with Christ conquering death.
posted by Renee at Sunday, August 06, 2006
7 Comments:
that sounds great, but what happens when you keep thinking of all the bad things (mortal sins) keep coming up in your head, even after confessing all of them, and everything you see, even a zinnia, doesn't seem pretty. All you think about is the bad that you did, even if you know He died for us? then what?
Amen!
And, weeding is confession, you know? YOu keep pulling it out, sometimes it comes back, but you pull it out again.
I usually am not a fan of Zinnias, but your post makes me look at them in a new way!
City girl ~ what Mimi said. It's weeding. It you have confessed, been absolved, you are forgiven. Now what you are talking about is called temptation. You, my dear, are being tempted by the evil one to doubt your forgivness. This could be because 1) you are deepening your spirituality and commitment to Christ and this reallllllly tickes off the evil one. 2) you have been struggling with forgiving someone in your life, and therefore doubt your forgiveness. Remember, forgiveness is an act of the will, not a feeling. You may have to do it with the same person for the same offense a thousand times.
Similarly, being forgiven may not make you FEEL different. You KNOW it because Jesus said so and He keeps His promises. He LOVES you. Just look at a crucifix. Just look at it. This is how far He would go to make sure you get forgiveness, how much He proves His love.
I'll pray with you right now
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom and power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
dead head those zinnias and they'll keep blooming......when the bloom start to look spent, cut them back and they'll send out more blooms as offshoots.......and you can make that a theological reflection as well.
I love the corollary you have made between confession, salvation and gardening. Beautiful! Thanks.
Beautiful zinnias! I had the pleasant experience this year of having zinnias from last year come back. I guess they reseeded themselves.
Love Mary Poppins Not's words of wisdom. Very, very true. We must always be careful to not take feelings too seriously. We must focus on the will and on what we know is the truth.
I propose this: M.P.Not: it would be so great, due to your beautiful expression of words, for you to hold a question/answer. There of those of us who read your blog, love it, and want some things to reflect upon, some advice for our personal issues we are dealing with. so: what do you say? Not many people seem to ask you philisophical questions, but I believ you have the gift of words, if you will. Thank you so much for that wonderful advice- I will keep my strength against the evil one- and focus on God's strength.
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