irises

Life doesn't always run smoothly or go like we'd like.  You may have heard that we sometimes have to choose which battles we will fight.  And fight we must.  There are times we have done all that we know to do and then we must stand.  There are times we must trust and lay down in green pastures where the Lord restores our soul.  Silencing what we'd like to say to being silent, period.  It may go against what seems to come naturally.  


There are times we must lean on God's ever lasting arms.  Sometimes we must do nothing, but wait and see what happens.  Reminding the Lord what His word says.  His word.  His promises.  

There may be things that happen that we don't have control over.  
Issues and situations that arise may not be our idea at all, but sometimes we have to deal with what has been dealt us.  It wasn't our idea, but we're involved.  Other people's actions can affect our personal lives.  We may have no say-so why.  People have free will to sin, but we don't have to agree with or like their free will.  


I have a tendency to think I can fix more than what I actually can.    
As I have gotten older, it has been something that I still battle with.  I cannot run another person's life nor make their decisions for them.  I don't have to agree with their choices, but I fully understand that choices have consequences.  Consequences that affect others around them.  Consequences that some are blinded to at the present, but will not escape from in their future.  They just don't see it.  

Nature in the form of flowers is one way I will encourage making peace in my life and redirecting frustration from others sad choices.  So I choose to focus on more flowers for Home Haven and not so much on what I cannot change.  I'm not turning a blind eye to what is going on, but know that I must discipline myself to not attempt to run their show.  I can and must put my energies into other choices.  I'm praying. 

This year I fell in love all over again with Irises.  One of my favorite flowers from my childhood.  The ones in our backyard were purple and as a child I thought this was the only color the blossoms were.  


Admiring God's beauty with this year's blossoms has been eye opening.  The Irises are stunning.  Three weeks ago, my husband and I took time to see what Irises were in bloom at the gardens of Kansas State University.  In July they will be selling about 419 different kinds of Irises.  I hope to purchase a few to add to our lawn.  Whites, oranges, browns, blues, pinks, silver, bronze, etc.


We took LOTS of pictures.  Want to share.  


I have some say so about what Irises to plant in the Fall.  Thank you God that I can make some choices that will be healthy and have a beautiful turn-out.  As for Life's Issues.......God will minister to me because I have asked for His help.  His ways are higher than mine.  I am thankful that His ways are more excellent and He is on the throne.  I am thankful that He is who He is and I can have a personal relationship with Him.  He is knowable.  He cares about the lilies of the valley and He cares for me.


Take time to smell the roses?  Yes, I will, but for now I will take time to admire the Irises and acknowledge God's beautiful design.


~d~

~BEAUTIFUL IRISES~