It seems no matter the situation in my life, just a little time out in my back-yard can change my whole day...
I guess there's just something about being around so much bursting life! Bugs, trees, plants, sunshine, dew, flowers, everything! I cannot contain my joy for it all...
And the green. Oh the greenery. There's something about rolling hills, forests, jungles, all of it! If it's green, it awakens some part of my heart. And I can hardly help dancing for joy.
Yesterday we had a whole lot of tornadoes around my area, but the only thing I could focus on the whole time was the sheer green-ness of my backyard. It just seems to stir up my blood...
Anyway, so today, as always, was awash in ups and downs. I hardly have myself figured out in the least, when it comes to my constantly roller-coasting emotions.... Thankfully God does, and He has grace.
But today was admittedly getting rather blue, so I decided to do something about it and for some reason the option of just sitting on my bed spending time alone with God didn't seem to cut it for once...like He had something better for me. And as soon as I walked by a window I knew what that was. I flew bare-footed out my back door and happened upon a strange and lovely sight. My back yard right now is about as green, bursting with life and lushness, as I have ever seen it. Fresh, tasty honeysuckles were everywhere! Wild roses were blooming and the plant life had seemingly overtaken everything it touched. I stood in a foreign world. Surrounded by huge green trees, vines, bushes and all things green! I was over-awed by the majesty.
I found an alarmingly straight sturdy stick on the ground that fit perfectly in my hand like a sword. Suddenly I was whirling it around in an epic battle between me and dragons, pirates, evil warriors, and demons. I was a soldier of truth and a valiant warrior of righteousness. With every stroke I pierced through my enemies, constantly with the upper-hand, no matter how outnumbered I may have been.
I fought battles, made up stories, talked in british accents to imaginary characters, momentarily had fits of perfect stillness in trying to take in the beauty around me, and was continually the conquering heroin. As I was so many times in my childhood. I let it all flood back as I re-awakened my imagination and sent it soaring.
Then God spoke to me. Words of life and fullness. Encouragement and beauty. Magically restorative no matter the trials of the day. I stared up at His sun in wonder and sipped on some honeysuckles.
Our God truly is a good God. He is not tame. But good. Don't ever let your faith be tamed.
Instead, rise up, fight your battles, breathe in His creation, and face the world on the wild side.
It's exactly what you were made for.
