The Two Key Lime Trees

For the past 10 months, the place we leased spoiled us with the most beautiful and plentiful Key Limes! We enjoyed making key lime pies and cherry limeades every week! Seriously spoiled! Then, we moved to a new house which also had a Key Lime tree. But the poor thing, it is pitiful. 

The New (old) Key Lime Tree

Today, I spent time working in the yard, pruning up some overgrown trees and the lime tree was the first one I started with. It has apparently been a long time since the lime tree had any attention. It was all over the place with tons of sprigs and lots of tiny little limes amongst the sparse wimpy leaves. It was pitiful and in need of a good ol pruning. It looks horrible right now but I know that soon enough it will be blossoming and full. Some of the branches were even dry rotted and I am a little worried about the overall health of the tree. Time will tell. 
It's not really fair to compare the 2 trees. Yes, they were both key lime trees, but there is no comparison when it comes to the fruit. They came from 2 different lots with 2 different owners, one hands off and the other hands on. There's no way my new tree will ever be as beautiful as the other tree because they have grown up in different ways. I can really only hope that with care and attention, my new (old) lime tree will regain it's strength, endure it's brokenness and revive itself. While it is producing marble size key limes now, I pray that it will one day produce what I know it is capable of growing. My only comparison will be against what it used to be, the old vs. the new, how much it has grown since it's pruning. It wouldn't be right to compare one tree to another, but only to it's own potential of bearing the best fruit possible within it's own soil. 
We do this with people too. We are so easily caught up in comparing one to another when really, we ought to be concerned with our own fruit producing possibilities. How wonderful the fruitfulness of the other, to God be all the glory. But how about your own? Are you the healthiest you can be? Are you rotting from the inside out where no one else can see? Are you producing just enough fruit to look rooted and mature, however, it's just enough to barely be alive? Imagine if you pruned out the dead, rotten branches, fertilized your soil, soaked in Living Water and opened up your branches to absorb more Son? Imagine the possibilities?! Marble size fruit becomes golf ball sized! What a blessing to the rest of the Garden of Life-giving fruit! How spoiling to the Master Gardner! What sweet aromas!

Lord, help me to keep my eyes centered on You alone and not on others around me. When I compare myself to them, even though I know I shouldn't, I feel so inadequate. I see all their fruit and mine doesn't look the same. I know we are all grown in our own ways and none of us look the same but I can't help but desire to have fruit like theirs. I know I can't compare apples to oranges but it's tempting to compare similar fruits and I find myself coveting theirs in comparison. Help me, Lord, to not look towards them rather help me look to my Gardener and stay focused on my own soil, my own tree, my own fruit. I want nothing more than to be a pleasing aroma to You alone, abiding in Your love and care, producing for You a sweet aroma that pleases your heart. Lead me beside still waters, into greener pastures, shielded by the clefts. Remove from within me all that hinders my growth in Your Kingdom Garden. Cleanse me, restore me, grow me, humble me, focus me, protect me, strengthen me in my weakness. Complete Your work in me and through me for the sake of Your glory. I know that one day I will no longer bear fruit but it will be my seeds that remain. Establish all that my heart and soul have sewn in Your mighty Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Bless Your Beautiful and Bountiful Name, amen. 

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 ESV.
My hope is in You.

"And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it." Ezekiel 17:24 ESV.
I believe in You.

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." John 15:8-9 ESV.
I need You.

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing," 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 ESV.
I am Yours. You are mine.

"Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." Psalm 80:19 NIV.
You save me.

Words Beyond My Voice

A Letter to My Child as you enter into the real world, 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) 
"Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn," 1 Kings 2:2-3 (ESV)

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:6-12

"So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:9-16

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34 (ESV)

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 (ESV)
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)

Keep your eyes and heart on Him!!! I have done my best to set a good example to you of a life lived believing by faith in which God is the center and all of my life and the life of our family, but I am not perfect, and I have failed many times. But God is always perfect and holy, blameless and loving, fair and just. Set your eyes on Him alone. Strive after Him. Follow His leading and He will lead you into rightness and redemption. 
May these Words, His Words, never, ever leave your heart! Even after I am gone and you can't hear my voice, the voice of your Eternal Father will always lead and love you right where you are. Cling close and hold tight. Trust and listen. Obey and Live!!!! Beyond my voice, I love you, Mom

On Your Own

As we counted down to the high school graduation of our oldest, I kept asking myself, "Did I teach him everything he needs to know to live a blessed life...on his own?" "Did I remember to teach him all the short cuts and proper procedures to clean a home or prepare a meal...on his own?" "When he gets overwhelmed with a new school, schedule, tests, friends, life...will he know what to do....on his own?"
For a moment, guilt and disappointment flooded my Mama's soul. All the "woulda, shoulda, couldas" for raising him up to live a blessed, pure, healthy and joy-filled life, on his own, rose like a river inside me. But, there was no more time. The past few weeks, I found myself calling him to the kitchen when I was cooking, "Do you know how to make this (meal)...on your own?" "Do you know what to do with the grease?" And as I did laundry, "Do you know how to soak for the whites...on your own?" "Do you know how to get these red baseball dirt out of these whites? Well, good luck, I don't either...let me know if you ever do....on your own!?" (Laughing!!!) In the bathrooms, "Do you know the most efficient way to disinfect and clean in here...on your own?" "Remember, it unrolls from the TOP!" Helping him get registered for school, "Here is how you approach someone when you need help and have questions...on your own." And in all the little moments, "Enjoy yourself. Smile. Say thank you. Hold the doors for others. Respect yourself and others always. Be kind and patient. Waiting is better than rushing. Honor God in all you say, think and do. Encourage, don't destroy. Plan ahead. Be ready. Do all you can and let God do the rest. Do not be anxious. "
And there was the ping in my heart...Do all you can and let God do the rest. Do not be anxious. As I live my life as a Mom, and as a Follower of Christ, I won't be perfect, I won't get it all done, I will forget...on my own. But with The Great I Am with me, I am never on my own. For as long as the Lord allows me to have breath on this earth, I am a text , Skype, email, letter, FaceTime away from my son. I am here for him but it's too late now to have a Life Cram Session. It is what it is and now I must believe and pray that God would bless and multiply all my intentions, prayers, teachings and love as I join with His ultimate plan, purpose and grace of the life my big boy will live...on his own. And the truth is, because he too is a follower of Christ, he may be on his own, but he is never alone. God is near.
The saying goes, "Your rearview mirror is smaller than your front windshield for a reason...you spend more time looking forward, looking where you are going, seeing dangers and turns before you than you ought to spend on the rare occasion you need to check what is behind you." There's only so much you can do to be ready for whatever it is you are facing in your day, or your life. We are all facing our "graduation" from this earth to eternal life, from one season in life to another. Are you ready? Sure, you can have a Life Cram Session and you will find yourself panicking and freaking out, feeling overwhelmed and there may be a small amount of joy, strength and task accomplished. But imagine if you lived out each day, preparing, ready for your next day? The daily joy, strength, hope, the confidence and assurance you lived out each day, not perfectly, but imperfectly perfect, as the Lord led you?! What peace, joy and freedom rather than guilt, panic, worry and shame, of a life lived fully and faithfully.
When I suddenly found myself "graduated" into my next season, it wasn't a time of celebration. It was a time of panic. Panic and anxiety attacks became my new normal. It was terrifying. I found I wasn't ready to face this...on my own. I was desperate for a Life Cram Session and was knocked off my feet as the seemingly life rug was pulled out from under me. Thank the Lord in His mercy and grace, He had ready to catch me, some deeply rooted women with foundations strong enough to carry my new found burden. I scrambled. I panicked. I wasn't ready. It was a hard lesson to learn, but one most certainly learned! I learned to Be ready before trials come because you won't know until it's upon you. His Word became my Daily Bread. I now knew what quenching thirst meant. He was my satisfying Living Water. I understand trusting faith. I believe when I cannot see. I trust what I don't understand. I don't have to know, see, hear and feel. Now, I lean on the One who knows all things, hears all things, plans and prospers all things. He knows what I feel and He is near. I learned even though I felt incredibly alone, I wasn't. Panic was overcome by prayer, petition and praise! I thank God for "graduating" me from glory to glory!
My prayer for my children, as well as for myself, is a life lived rejoicing and not regretting. Planning, not procrastinating. Hoping, not hurting. Serving, not selfish. Strong and courageous, not fearful or anxious. Trusting Faith, not fear of failure.
What a wonderful reminder that life is short and to live every day to it's fullest, to the glory of God! Ask, seek, knock and you will find The Savior's open door to you, hoping you will come and sit with Him as you live one day at a time. You may feel alone some days, but you are never alone Child. Your Heavenly Father is a prayer away. Embrace Him daily, learning and loving, soaking up every moment. No body can do that for you, or your child. That, you must do...on your own.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV)

"Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,"1 Kings 2:2-3 (ESV)

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:6-12

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:12-16

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)

Home Sweet Home

Wow, how time flies! I cannot believe 2015 has already passed the half way mark! Soon, stores will start bringing out their Christmas in July sales! Yikes!!! Where has the time gone?!?
I don't really have a formal devotional blog to send out today. I have met so many new people over the recent months and have given out my blog address as a source of meeting me and hopefully being encouraged by a post or two. Welcome and Happy Summer!!!! So, I thought I would at least pop in to say Hello real quick! I have many drafts written but have not had time to edit or post them. Even island life is busy! 
We have been crazy busy with all of the end of year kid events, most significantly, the graduation of our Senior from high school! The love and support of family and friends have been mind-blowing. It's crazy to think the kids completed their one year of schooling here in The Keys as was our original call to move here for one year. I mentioned to the kids that their last day of school here was done and we would be returning to Texas in 6 weeks (if we were planning on going back) and each one gave a dreadful "noooooo.....! We don't wanna leave yet!!!" Just another affirmation of our call.

While we surely have missed our friends, family and church, God has also blessed us here with His goodness and grace. We have seen clearly the call to come and now clearly see the call to stay. We don't know for how long. We sincerely want to be right where God wants us because it is only when we are in the center of HIS will and plan that we will experience perfect peace and joy. We had it in Texas and we have it here too. Home is wherever God dwells. That's our perfect happy place! 
I have had people ask me if I felt closer to God here in this tropical paradise and the answer is No. Location, circumstances or surroundings may enhance the awe of creation which gives me a glimpse into the aweness of The Creator but His hands created everything and His breath of life can be found anywhere. I find the heart of God in every zip code!! I am only as close to God as I am to feeling His breath over me, His arms carrying me, His whispers leading me, His strength empowering me, His Word cutting to my marrow. Just as in any relationship, the more time you spend together, the closer you will know them, love them and trust them. Same with God!
Truthfully, I "felt" closer to Him in Texas. There, I was deeply involved in church, mentoring and being mentored, living life with deep rooted Sisters in Christ, sat under the teaching of a zealous Bible teaching woman of God week after week, was led by an outspoken, truth in love preaching Pastor amongst a flock of Believers who's undercurrent was serving on mission wherever they went with pure intentions and focused intentionalities! The hedge of protection around my heart and spirit was deep and wide and long. I was surrounded by The Word and many who were God's very Word to me. While much of their love and prayers reach and cover me here too (love knows no bounds), it's not the same as weekly, in the flesh face time, sharing coffee, walking, studying, praying together. God has been so sweet to bring me to a Bible Study group that loves the Lord purely who's wisdom inspires and challenges me. He has also blessed each of us with some precious friends! Depth simply takes time. Time to grow and be nurtured, strengthened and rooted into deeper grounds.
We knew our move here was a call to be on mission with our main focus on our family of 6, recalibrating, strengthening and purifying our hearts, minds and souls to center on Him so that through His work in us we can serve Him and love Him better and because of that love, serve others better also. 
He has led us to a community church which has embraced us as if we were long lost family, parts of the Body that had been missing. We see our part and look forward to serving alongside them for Kingdom purpose. We know God has led us to them, and them to us. It would be easy to hide and hibernate in our home and simply serve ourselves with the gifts and talents He gave us but as a Follower of Christ, we are all called to live in community, stir each other up, join the Body and mission of The Church to reach the lost, make disciples and encourage the weak and broken-hearted, to mentor the younger and lead The Way as we walk The Way. You can't be a light if you don't plug in to a source of Power!
I know people might say, "Well, I think you've been doing that all along, for years." Yes we have, however, in wrong proportions. We gave so much to the Church and Others, it left remnants of time and energy to our Home Mission Field. We gave all we had and came home to recover. This move has forced us to come back together and recalibrate our eyes and hearts in right portions and priorities. We are certainly not perfect and we are not oozing God's Word as a result of intense family Bible studies or deep theological discussions, but we have been more intentional to align ourselves with being in His will, seeking humbly and fearfully for His plan and purpose for us as individuals, as husband and wife and as a family unit, serving and loving God and others with all our hearts. Just like anyone else, living anywhere else, we struggle and we sin. We complain and covet. We fear and doubt. God is patient and forgiving when we repent and recalibrate, setting our hearts and minds back on His love. 
I don't know what decisions or circumstances you are facing today, but I encourage you to seek first (Matthew 6:33) the heart of God and His God's will for you- knowing He has a plan to prosper you and not harm you (Jeremiah 29:11). It is only when you spend time with Him that His love for you can be felt and seen. No matter where you are, how old you are, how far you are physically, emotionally or spiritually...He is your Home base. Go Home!!!
Thanks for stopping by for a few! I pray you are encouraged as you scroll through my little blog world. It has been an amazing 10 months in the islands and I have met some amazing people here, those from here and those visiting here! I pray you take time to recalibrate your life, refocus, realign your heart and home so that the Creator and Great I Am will be the core and center. Dorothy was right....there really is No Place Like Home! 
Hugs and Blessings, Michele