It's a Trust Issue

A couple of years ago, I kept hearing God say, “It’s time for you to retire, take care of your little back yard nursery and be available for all the people I will put in your path.” But God”, I said, “we will starve, lose the house, we can’t live on social security”. God said, “Trust me.” I fought it for two years but this year I tossed in the towel and am loving every minute of it! Yes, I still slip into doubt but God comes through in the most unusual and unexpected times!

I had started Mimi's greenhouse, a little backyard nursery that is doing well but not enough to support us yet. I donate 10% of all my sales to Chad and Ryan Morgan who I've talked about a bunch in this blog. I figure God will bless the nursery so I can bless Chad and Ryan. There seems to be a constant stream of young (well, younger than me) women who want to visit and talk to me. I have had many bumps along the way and have learned valuable lessons - most of them the hard way. I love sharing the things God has taught me, praying with these girls and sometimes just being there to listen. I knew I needed more time to be available.Also, My son is a single dad and custodial parent for my grandsonTad. It helps both of them if I am available to pick Tad up at school or have him for sleepovers so dad can have a little time for himself. 

God has always provided for us but it was nearly always in additional hours at work, a bonus or raise - rarely did He hand me cash outright! It has happened several times this year. I worried because I don't have a" ministry" with a name or place that I can say is mine and people could donate to. God doesn't care about all that. When He calls you to serve Him in any way, He will provide what you need to do it.

An opportunity came up a few weeks ago to go up to Kentucky and teach my girlfriend how to blog. See this post. Some other friends were going too and they made reservations at Solomon's Porch in Lynch. On a whim, I listed for sale some rooted cuttings I had done and seeds I had received free form my brother. They sold in 24 hours for enough money to pay for my room!

I wanted to take Tad to the beach this fall. He hasn't been since he was two and doesn't remember much about it. I prayed. "God, if you want us to go,please  provide the money. I'll know we are not supposed to go if you don't." Of course, I began to try to figure out ways I could help God do that. I had a little cash stashed away for some Greenhouse future expenses. Probably enough for condo but nothing left for food or entertainment. I waited. Several weeks later I was visiting a close relative and she said, "I know you want to take Tad to the beach and I want to give you this to help with your expenses."  She handed me a check for $1000.00! After the tithe, it was enough to pay for our condo and have some left over!

So if you are feeling called, pray. Pray and wait. When He confirms through His Word (the Bible), other people, circumstances and the Holy Spirit step out and trust that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it! (Phil 1:6)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matthew 6: 33-34

30 Good Things to Practice Daily

Not exactly garden tips but if you do these things, your garden will probably flourish! 

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day un-rushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and un-clutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself.  Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns.  If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.  If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut).  This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Every day, find time to be alone.
17. Having problems?  Talk to God on the spot.  Try to nip small problems in the bud.  Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
18. Make friends with Godly people.

19. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
20. Laugh.
21. Laugh some more!
229. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
23. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

25. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
26. Sit on your ego.
27. Talk less; listen more.
28. Slow down.
29. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
30. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.  GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

'If God is for us, who can be against us?'
(Romans  8:31)