Stormy Times - March 2011 Issue of The House

It’s hilarious, really. This fall, we “paved” a flowerbed with concrete stones we made with some mix and a mold, as we decided we wanted to put big pots and solar lights there instead of tulips and roses. Looked just fine, we thought. Then, the bluebells decided to come out. And come out, they have, pushing sections of concrete stone out of their little way, forcing their shoots and leaves to the air and light.

I was thinking of the March issue of The House being about stormy times that deepen our roots in our faith and make us stronger – spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. When our fall and winter has been as wet as the past months have been, Western Washington people seem to really be watching closely for any sunny day, any sign of Spring.

And the “winter months” of our spiritual journey, the stormy times, can help us, if we let them, to get more deeply into the Word; find a friend with whom to talk about our walk, if we don’t have one already; ask God to show us where we need to grow; study a book like Crazy Love, or Making All Things New; or look for ways to serve others, as Jesus taught us to do in response to His Love for us.

When my daughter, Susan, was very young, she began singing for church. I think she was two years old the first time she sang for service. One of the songs she sang was “Little Flowers Never Worry”. The words are:

“Little flowers never worry
When the wind begins to blow.
And they never, never cry
When the rain begins to fall.

Though it’s wet and oh so cold,
Soon the sun will shine again.
Then they’ll smile unto the world,
For their beauty to behold.

When the clouds begin to gather
And the storm begins to blow,
Little flowers don’t complain,
Though they’re tossing to and fro.

Oh, I guess they’ve learned the secret,
They don’t fret because they know,
If it never, never rained,
Then they’d never, never grow.

So, let it rain, let it rain, let it pour,
Let old trouble keep knock’n at my door,
If we learn the right from wrong,
It will help to make us strong.

Lord, please help us learn the secret,
Even little flowers know,
If it never, never rains
Then we’ll never, never grow.”

_Beth Bernard

As March winds blow, and April comes with showers (more rain?!!?!?), let’s ask God to help us grow deeper in our faith, put down roots in practical ways, and celebrate with Him every evidence of His Love blossoming in our hearts and lives. Keep shoving against those “stones”!

Don’t be shy! We NEED to hear from you! Please write to us and share your thoughts and experiences in walking the Walk, and especially, practical ways you are “putting down roots”.

Send your thoughts, questions, ideas, book recommendations and experiences to: hagle54@gmail.com, or Mary Hagle c/o EHA, 1405 East Burcham Street, Kelso WA 98626.

We grow as we share . . .

Mary Hagle

Editor

“The House”