Never, never?

(06.02.21 – Pressing On -2 Timothy 2:1-10)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Does God often transplant us into a new environment, that seems risky, even scary? Nevertheless, is it our job to adapt, survive and grow?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Recently Holly and I decided to move five of her prize Clematis plants to a new flowerbed along the dog run fence. The fence would provide a great environment for the plants to climb and it was mid-spring, a good time to transplant, so we decided to take the risk and make the transfer. The object when transplanting Clematis tubers is to keep the root mass in one piece shielded by as much dirt as possible so as to prevent added shock to the plant when replanted. It has been a dry spring, however, and although the ground gave way easily, not much stuck to the roots as I extricated each set of tubers. I was afraid that those plants just might not make it. However, several weeks later, the vines have all sprouted fresh new growth in their new homes. Even though the tubers obviously underwent a great deal of shock, they had what it takes to overcome the shock and still throw out new growth.

When it comes to getting by, pressing on in hard times, you and I are much like those tubers. God often transplants us in a new environment, whether that be a new school, new neighborhood or new job. Our job is to adapt, survive and grow.

Here's a story: There is an African fish that survives in one of the harshest environments on earth, the semi-arid Savannas of central Africa. In the rainy season, life is a frolic. He's happy doing all his interesting fish things. But as the rains cease, the water begins to shrink and the small pools and ponds in which this fish lives begin to dry up. As the desert takes over the savannah, pools disappear, and all that are left are brackish puddles. You'd think that life would be over for a fish. But, does this fish give up? Never! He swims when he can, from pool to pool. Finally, when there’s no water to swim in, he, literally, skitters across the ground from puddle to puddle. He does this continually until he either dies or survives. And when the rains come again, he’s back to being a happy fish. (Source unknown)

You and I are that fish. We live on faith, hope, laughter and love, and sometimes, when that faith, laughter and love grow scarce, we live from puddle to puddle, always in search of just enough faith, laughter and love to survive. We marvel at a God who provides all our needs, and who gives us the strength to endure all our difficulties. He is our anchor in the midst of a raging sea. He sends us laughter with each sunset; and He sends us joy with each new sunrise. Happiness is sometimes a generous commodity; but there are times when it is far, more stingy. When God takes away our comforts, and transplants us into difficult times, he always offers hope for relief. All we need to do is keep looking for another puddle and another puddle. Survival is always the better choice when the option is no option at all.

We pray. Heavenly Father, We marvel at a God who provides all our needs, and who gives us the strength to endure all our difficulties. Forgive us Lord when we forget that there is no situation in our life that You can’t handle by simply walking with us through perhaps a strange or new environment. You are our anchor in the midst of a raging sea. You send us laughter with each sunset; and joy with each new sunrise. Happiness is sometimes a generous commodity; but there are times when it is far, more stingy. When You take away our comforts, and transplants us into difficult times, we are thankful that You always offer hope for our relief. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Never, never?

(06.02.21 – Pressing On -2 Timothy 2:1-10)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Does God often transplant us into a new environment, that seems risky, even scary? Nevertheless, is it our job to adapt, survive and grow?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Recently Holly and I decided to move five of her prize Clematis plants to a new flowerbed along the dog run fence. The fence would provide a great environment for the plants to climb and it was mid-spring, a good time to transplant, so we decided to take the risk and make the transfer. The object when transplanting Clematis tubers is to keep the root mass in one piece shielded by as much dirt as possible so as to prevent added shock to the plant when replanted. It has been a dry spring, however, and although the ground gave way easily, not much stuck to the roots as I extricated each set of tubers. I was afraid that those plants just might not make it. However, several weeks later, the vines have all sprouted fresh new growth in their new homes. Even though the tubers obviously underwent a great deal of shock, they had what it takes to overcome the shock and still throw out new growth.

When it comes to getting by, pressing on in hard times, you and I are much like those tubers. God often transplants us in a new environment, whether that be a new school, new neighborhood or new job. Our job is to adapt, survive and grow.

Here's a story: There is an African fish that survives in one of the harshest environments on earth, the semi-arid Savannas of central Africa. In the rainy season, life is a frolic. He's happy doing all his interesting fish things. But as the rains cease, the water begins to shrink and the small pools and ponds in which this fish lives begin to dry up. As the desert takes over the savannah, pools disappear, and all that are left are brackish puddles. You'd think that life would be over for a fish. But, does this fish give up? Never! He swims when he can, from pool to pool. Finally, when there’s no water to swim in, he, literally, skitters across the ground from puddle to puddle. He does this continually until he either dies or survives. And when the rains come again, he’s back to being a happy fish. (Source unknown)

You and I are that fish. We live on faith, hope, laughter and love, and sometimes, when that faith, laughter and love grow scarce, we live from puddle to puddle, always in search of just enough faith, laughter and love to survive. We marvel at a God who provides all our needs, and who gives us the strength to endure all our difficulties. He is our anchor in the midst of a raging sea. He sends us laughter with each sunset; and He sends us joy with each new sunrise. Happiness is sometimes a generous commodity; but there are times when it is far, more stingy. When God takes away our comforts, and transplants us into difficult times, he always offers hope for relief. All we need to do is keep looking for another puddle and another puddle. Survival is always the better choice when the option is no option at all.

We pray. Heavenly Father, We marvel at a God who provides all our needs, and who gives us the strength to endure all our difficulties. Forgive us Lord when we forget that there is no situation in our life that You can’t handle by simply walking with us through perhaps a strange or new environment. You are our anchor in the midst of a raging sea. You send us laughter with each sunset; and joy with each new sunrise. Happiness is sometimes a generous commodity; but there are times when it is far, more stingy. When You take away our comforts, and transplants us into difficult times, we are thankful that You always offer hope for our relief. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.