It’s hard to believe that these two little plants are thriving, while growing up in an inhospitable environment… but thriving is exactly what these girls are doing!

The plant on the left is apparently called a Snake plant, so I dubbed her Medusa! When the plant on the right came to live with us, I affectionately named her Sis, after one of my granddaughters… the tenacious one!

Somehow, in all this chaos of living conditions… these two have shown amazing resilience and growth! If they can do it… so can I!

I suppose that I too have grown, stretched, changed… pushed through the darkness that sought to block my path. If you would have suggested I handle my current Life Interruptus, perhaps even just a year ago… I would have laughed in your face!

In truth, God has brought me through a great deal of difficulties that only He could. The master Gardener has been strengthening me, training me, mending me, and pruning me just like a plant. All of the tending has produced a change… I think it’s called Growth!

Has it been a party? Hardly! Has it felt painful? Most assuredly! Am I the better for it? Absolutely!

What I encounter, experience, endure, and overcome only strengthens me to walk forward in the most profound Grace and Mercy I’ve ever known!

What made the difference, you might ask? God’s Presence! In every moment, whether painful or joyful… He is there, right in the heart of it with me, beside me, carrying me and guiding my lantern as I step out into the darkness. I was born for this purpose, hand chosen by The King of Heaven!

Who better to hold the hand of the lost and afraid, than one who was lost and afraid… and angry… and traumatized… and scarred? Who better to show love and acceptance to the hated and rejected, than one who lives as the shunned, the outcast, the unwanted…. the wanderer in the desert?

For many years, I was unable to understand why there was never anyone who stayed in my life for very long, leaving way before they had to build a deep and meaningful relationship with me, but it is starting to make sense.

I am, and have always been… Much! Think about it! I am loud, energetic, passionate, animated, overly emotional, an overthinker, an over worrier, a chatty Cathy, and very demanding. I am a fight or flight girl, with high expectations of myself and others to be better, smarter, or simply more… like, um… just like a what?! A Raging River, that’s what! Wiwohka… Duh!!!

Well, guess what… everyone needs water! I’m just the wild water, that’s all! This vessel will push open gates, flood the banks, rip out dead undergrowth, slam through barriers… just for that one tiny seed out there! Somewhere in the desert, there are those needing a portion of the life-giving water that pours freely from the vessels cracks, that were sustained along her journey!

If I am much, well then, let my much be put to use for a purpose greater than I am! If I am like water then I should be free, unlimited, and meant for anyone in need.

Just like my little plants that are growing, so too am I … we strive to purify the air everyone breathes, as we develop and mature… even if it isn’t seen, or rewarded. My sweet girls and I just keep on living, growing, and doing the work we were born to do.