Eewh! Day 1 of day 365. I am so excited to be starting the year off doing another Journal Challenge with my Pinky Promise Sisters. Click link for more details. http://heatherllindsey.com/2018/12/the-2019-journal-challenge.html/
I guess you all are wondering what do plants have to do with a journal challenge. Let me explain! As I go journal shopping every year I always have a very descriptive idea of what kind of journal I want, from the lines on the pages, wide ruled or college ruled, a pocket in the back for keepsakes, the color of the paper and of course the picture on the journal which is a pretty big deal to me. The inside pages are important but the outside picture keeps things focused and in alignment for me. It seriously takes me a while before I pick out the perfect journal. Including, not seeing one at the store today and going back to that same store a couple weeks later to finding the perfect journal that fit all my needs and desires. I also have two separate journals one I use for my quiet time when I am alone with God and I have one for daily use such as I have something on my mind and I just need to get it off at the moment.
What can we learn from plants? Part one consist of planting the seed. Well, first you have to choose your seeds, set the planting time, select a starting pot, add seed starting mix, plant your seeds, cover seeds based on their size, seal moisture in with plastic, keep the seeds in warm indirect sunlight, check moisture levels every day or two.
Part two is caring for your seeds. You will remove the covering if you used one in part one, only if the seeds have germinated. After the seeds have sprouted you will provide bright light immediately. Rotate the plants daily so they can get even sunlight (especially if your plants are set up like mines, only certain parts hit the sunlight at a time). Keep temperature stable, water regularly, provide fertilizer once the first true leave emerge. Transplant seedlings to individualize containers, if they need larger home to prevent crowding each other. Hardener off your plants and lastly maintaining your plants keeping them moist but not soaked.
Part three is troubleshooting. Picking off old leaves that have died and figuring out why seeds are not growing. You get to guide the plant through a whole life cycle, potentially establishing an addition to your garden that will last for years.
How to plants and seeds relate to me? I am glad you asked. Plants, seeds, bearing fruit and leaves all relate very well to my anxiety and being moved by my emotions. This area is beginning to spill over and affecting all areas of my life dating, school, work, and just every day life. Hey, I am a work in progress and I am going to tackle this area like never before this year. I am learning how to set up healthy boundaries between living in the moment and enjoying the moment and yet still being hopeful for the future and the things unseen that I have a desire in my heart for and believing God that these desires will come to pass in His perfect timing.
How else can I explain anxiety; Anxiety is when you plant a seed in the ground and every one hour you dig to see if it has started to germinate. You will end up killing the seed. God works best when you are at rest. Every time you worry, you undo what God ha started. Philippians 4;6 NLT Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. God will surely give you your hearts desires. He makes all things beautiful in His time. As far as my emotions go, I do not want to be moved by them. I want to be stable like the tress planted from the roots. I want to be the root of the tree, no matter when the seasons change winter, spring, summer and fall I want to always be the root of the tree; stable and not moved by the different season changes. Psalms 1;3 NLT They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Stop and smell the roses of where you are right now. Find the beauty in your today. Walking with Christ I have discovered that God works on people inside then outside. As my walk have become more and more of a process for me, I have learned how to get to the bottom of my issues down from the root so I can kill them at the root, the heart of my issues. I leaned that I have to trust God and endure the pruning process. He will finish the work He started in you. Have peace that He will lead you to your destination He has predestined for you. Enjoy the journey, you'll get there one step at a time, one foot in front of the other, one day at a time.
I don't want to be outside His will. No matter how hard it gets, I am staying right here. Rejoice because disappointment may endure for the night but a better appointment comes in the morning (just a night, it may not be a physical night), but whenever you begin to rejoice your morning has come.
As always, Love you all
De'Ana L. Williams
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