One of my favorite spring flowers is Lily of the Valley.  I remember singing a song in church that has the following words in it:  He’s the Lily of the valley and the bright and morning Star… I can see why someone would choose that flower.  It is so elegant, so white, and so fragrant. When I discovered that we had some in our garden, I was very pleased.  There are some flowers that I’ve rejected – once discovering how invasive they can be.  It’s nice when you can find out before it is out of control…  Have you ever been rejected?  I have.  But I’m in good company.  In 1 Samuel 8, Israel wants a king , like their neighbors (The Jones? ), instead of just the prophet, Samuel.  God had this to say to Samuel: “…it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”  1 Samuel 8: 7  Every once in a while I notice that the Holy Spirit sweeps some withered up old invasive flowers out the door of my heart.  Ones that threaten to replace the Lily that resides there.  If  I resist his work, then the invaders get a tenacious grip on me.  It will hurt even more to tear them out at weeding time.  Not to mention the harm they cause beforehand.  In 1 Samuel 8 there is a long nasty list of what will happen when the people get their wish and get a king.  It’s gonna cost them dearly.  They are going to “cry out for relief from the king…”  1 Samuel 8:18  Yes, I have cried out because the one I anointed has bit my heel. Addictions are like that. At first it seems so soothing to give into a numbing habit.  It offers a respite from the daily grind.  Then its roots spread throughout your heart and mind and it begins to grind – YOU – up!  In my case it was eating disorders.  Over 29 years ago the weeding process started, and it was not a pretty sight.  But once I really and truly allowed Jesus to be my King, the cleanup progressed faster than I had hoped.  Flower gardens and hearts have some things in common.  They both need a Master.  I may not be a Master Gardener, but my Father is.  He began a good work in me and I can trust him to continue.  The Lord has promised he would. He is the Lily of my valley.  Who is yours? …being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.    Philippians 1:6

Trusting in his work.  ~ Wendy