CHAOS, TOMOATOES AND STRENGTH

Yes, you have to get up I know you are tired so am I but it's Tuesday and you have school and I have work and no I don't sleep all day when you leave and conveniently wake up in time to come get you at school dismissal even though my sleep is a valuable commodity it's only valuable to me and I don't get paid for it...I don't think that project resume I just completed will send properly to our client via email so I need to rework that...and yes Shelby I do know the feeling when you don't want to do something you have to do and I get you don't think it's fair but you have to go to school and I have to work...i forgot to make my doctor's appointment again and this pain in my side is never going to go away if I don't go see the doctor...don't forget your lunches and Ben have fun at Sandy Lake Park today sing great be safe here's five extra dollars for a snack in case you need one and for tickets in case you want to ride more rides...did I reschedule Ben's shots for 7th grade...Shelby you will go to Sandy Lake Park in sixth grade and yes I know it's not fair to you that he's going to 'play' and you have school...God please watch over Ang, Em and Girlie on their trip to NYC...guys please eat your breakfast so we aren't late you told me you wanted cereal this morning so eat it I'm having taboule when I get back home so don't complain...you look beautiful today Belle you're welcome Ben for having your choir shirt clean and hanging up and having the 'fresh-out-of-the-dryer smell'...I really think this is the lowest my bank account has been in a long time how am I going to do this...give me communication reports to sign if you didn't last night...that blue jay better get off my veranda and away from the plants...I have got to get to Callaways this week and get the citronella plants to help with that...I miss Duke, Scout, Charlotte...let's load up in the car and go after I clean up the coffee I just spilled on my shirt oh never mind it doesn't matter.....

Most mornings are just like this. Continual. Never stopping. Never slowing down. From the moment the alarm goes off, it's go-go-go around here. It can sometimes start the day off with an overwhelming feeling, but I've learned it doesn't have to.

When I get home from dropping them off at school, I make it a point to sit down for about 30-45 minutes and catch up on my news with a fast-forward through the DVR portion of Good Morning America, have my coffee, sit on the veranda and read what God has planned for my day in my morning devotional.

Today He told me I was weak. That's right. As strong as I've been leading myself to believe I am, He just told me I'm weak. And He's right.

"I am a mighty God. Nothing is too difficult for me...Your weakness is designed to open you up to My Power...I am not a careless God. When I allow difficulties to come into your life, I equip you fully to handle them. Relax in My Presence, trusting in My Strength."

I looked up from reading and instead of doing what He just told me, I started thinking about the obstacles I needed to overcome today. Instead of the joys I get to experience today. Until I saw this...

Life is everywhere. Trying its best to grow. Strengthen. Bloom. Change is always tough, but worth it when it's necessary. It's little reminders that keep us trudging ahead. Storms build and eventually wreak havoc sometimes when we least expect it, but without them we wouldn't have rainbows.

Something or someone is always going to be on the sidelines waiting to take advantage of the hard work of others. Or try and sell it as their own, knowing full-well they had nothing to do with the labor it took to nurture and grow the fruit. And so we tell ourselves it doesn't matter. At least the fruit is there. It's beautiful and we have reason to be proud of the success. WE know who gave the blood, sweat and tears and that's all that matters. Or does it?

For the past week, a beautiful blue jay has been sitting in that ever-so-peaceful Eastern Redbud tree that overlooks my veranda...eyeing my tomato and strawberry plants...but I see an invader. Yes, you are beautiful. Yes, your sound is appealing. Yes, you look to be harmless. But beware. I will protect what I've worked hard to grow with a vengeance, if I have to. Distance is necessary for you and you should think twice about coming any closer. I've just about had enough of your nonsense.

I too look nice. I too can sound sweet. I may look too busy to be noticing what's going on right under my nose, but I'm done with working hard and having it being taken advantage of. Comprende' Mr. Blue?

You may think I'm weak...and I may be by some standards...but I know Someone Strong. And He is watching you, too. And just as I protect mine...He protects me. And I have a feeling He's just about had enough, as well.

Good observation. I'm not just talking about the blue jay.

Always remember and never forget: "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17