Spring Beauty Teaches 7 Powerful Lessons About Abiding in Christ

My walk to admire seasonal beauty opened my eyes to more than flowers. Here’s what I noticed about abiding in Christ. Lesson 1 Our snowball bush boasts huge, ball-shaped flowers and commands attention and appreciation. Its branches held so many blooms this year, I couldn’t imagine one more fitting on its limbs. This stunning shrub reminds me of God’s blessings—bountiful and perfectly selected for us. God’s creation calls our attention to Him when we take notice of all His wondrous works. I wonder how many times I miss them, and how many times I notice but forget to thank Him.…

The “Dailyness” of Life

Cicadas are loud, especially when I’m reading on the deck. This morning the shrill notes of their orchestra played fortissimo! Once they distracted me, I heard other sounds—a dog barking in the distance, the hum of the deck ceiling fan, and the songs of two different birds. Although the cicadas were the smallest of the sound generators in my hearing range, they produced the loudest noise! Isn’t that like the problems we face each day? Do you notice that little challenges can cause big irritation? (Those “first world” problems I mean.) The item you ordered isn’t like the picture. You’re…