Grace Tip #5 - Plant a Garden

The day before my 25th birthday, I came up with a list of 10 reminders for the next year. I just re-read them + want to share one of them with you. I've talked about one in Grace Tip #3 - "Always be a little kinder than is necessary" - J. M. Barrie.

I'm sure there are many people who feel stuck in a job or life stage + are wondering what's next.
No? Only me? 

When I lived at home longer than I wanted to I finally came to terms with living where I was planted. At first I really didn't want to. Like, really didn't. But then I decided to choose joy + to not only live where I was planted, but to water those roots. It made so much of a difference in my life + my attitude. I was so ready to get out of town, but after planting roots, it was really hard to leave. The time I spent with my parents, friends, girls I coached in cheerleading, Clemson church family - all of it, is so precious to me + is part of who I am

My Grace Tip #5 comes from Audrey Hepburn, such a classic lady. 

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow"

Did you know God asks us to plant gardens right where we are? 

Many people use Jeremiah 29:11" 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope + a feature'" as their banner verse when going through life changes. But I want to bring attention to the background of the story. 

The Israelites were in exile when this verse was written. It was a part of the "Letter to the Exiles." Let's start with the beginning of the letter. 

Jeremiah 29:4-5
"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 'Build houses + settle down; PLANT GARDENS + eat what they produce.'" 

We can stop right there. The Israelites were not in a place they imagined they would be nor were they in a dream situation. However, God told them to build houses + plant gardens. Audrey Hepburn understood that when you planted a garden, it meant you were planning on being in the same place tomorrow. Why would you plant a garden and then leave it to fail? 

So, I'm encouraging you today - plant a garden, and water it. 

You may be surprised at what He allows to bloom there! 

Feel free to use this as a reminder :-)