Nurturing Needed — and Given

Ah, the beginning of May! Weather willing, that’s when I usually get flowers planted. Kind of an early Mother’s Day tradition at our house. If Kristin was here, she’d be up to her elbows in dirt and loving every minute of it, but now that the girls are away from home, I get in on the actual planting.

Yesterday afternoon was perfect for outdoor work — sunny and mid-60s. Don and I worked together, getting these much welcomed splashes of color added to our yard. What wasn’t perfect was the swarm of gnats flying around my head constantly. They nearly drove me crazy — though I did manage a smile for the camera :)

Now we’ll just hope that some of that severe weather we’re famous for this time of year doesn’t blow through here in the next few days and give our flowers a beating before they have a chance to take root. I want our “babes” to have a fighting chance.

Flowers need some special care, and I stand ready to once more nurture them through our Midwestern summer heat. Evenings will find me faithfully tending the flowers, watering and pruning them of their dead blooms and leaves. If I do my part and give them the TLC they need, they should grace our yard until the first hard freeze in the fall.

Flowers aren’t the only things that need nurturing, are they? People need nurturing — and not just children. Each one of us can benefit from a little tender loving care. A few words of praise or encouragement, a helping hand, or a hug can make the difference in someone’s day — in someone’s life.

Let’s consider who or what in our lives could benefit from some nurturing right now. Our kids? Our marriage? Another relationship? A talent that could blossom with a little special attention? Maybe even a skill that needs regular investment in order to keep it flourishing? Stand ready with me to give the TLC that’s needed. We can make the difference.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11

*Photo by my husband Don

Comments

  1. Great picture, Cheryl! Here in the Arizona desert water is vital in keeping the flowers alive much like reading God’s Word is vital in keeping us Christians alive!

  2. Debbie, thanks for pointing out the analogy between water and the Word of God — so true. God’s Word is so refreshing and life-giving. We need to drink from it all the time.

    Glad you liked the picture. Just think — we’ll be seeing each other in person in a few short weeks! Can’t wait!

  3. Yes and yes! I’ve had a taste of that the last couple of days myself. Mine has been more of a “sweeping” thing (you know, getting rid of the cobwebs and getting back to looking for treasure), but the same concept applies.

    I’m so thankful for His grace…especially when He’s pruning me! :)

  4. Cheryl,

    I’m always touched by your posts. I’m thinking right now of several people who need some TLC from me.

    Thanks, too, for visiting my blog. I’ll be praying for your friend.

    Oh! and didn’t I see your name on an email from Jim Watkins? Congratulations!

    Blessings,
    Jean
    My Conversations With God at http://www.jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com

  5. Donna, thanks for checking out my blog! Please come back anytime!

    Jean, I’m so glad that you have been touched by my posts — what a blessing to hear that! Thank you. I haven’t seen an email from Jim Watkins so I’m wondering if you’re thinking of someone else or something else perhaps… I was mentioned in Deb’s May update. Maybe it was that… By the way, I appreciate your faithful participation in my blog!

  6. Hi!
    Just wanted to drop by let you know that you’ve inspired me to start a blog. I don’t know how often I’ll be able to write, but am excited to be around!:-)
    Hey…can you suggest a quality, online creative writing course? I’m desperate to try and develop what small measure of talent He might have bestowed.
    Thanks Cheryl!!
    Randy

  7. Randy, so good to hear from you — and congrats on starting your blog! You may be the first person I’ve inspired to start one of their own — wow!

    As far as an online creative writing course, I’m not too knowledgeable. The one that springs to mind is the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. Ive heard it highly recommended, butI know there is expense involved. Remember Jeneal? She is currently taking the course if you’d like to get some inside info, email me and I can send you her email address.

    Have you got an update coming to all of us soon? Have been wondering how everything is going. Take Care!

  8. debbie, i found your blog from TWV.
    This is a great post! Gardening generates such wonderful parallels to the Christian walk. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    I guest-posted a little tour of my garden at
    http://www.writersinthestorm.com/blog/client/index.cfm/2008/4/29/Spring-Garden

    if you’d like to visit. I hail from the south & we get a much early start than you do…however, we hit 110 sometimes in summer!!!

    thanks again
    sonjia

  9. Sonjia, thanks for stopping by! I clicked on over to your sites and noticed that you are only about 6 hours south of us. We usually make it over 100 a few days during the summer but it’s been awhile since we’ve seen 110! Stop by again anytime!

  10. Cheryl,
    Thanks for the gardening inspiration. Our official frost date is next weekend and my friend and I were making plans this afternoon to shop for our flowers this weekend.

    I, too, always feel such a connection to our Creator when I’m gardening.

    I can think of a couple of people in my life that can use a little TLC right now.

    Blessing to you!

  11. Kelli, hope you have a beautiful day for planting your flowers. Enjoy the great outdoors as well as the Creator of it all!

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