Good afternoon Beautiful Survivors!!

What a beautiful Autumn we are having here in Ohio! I am always excited at the approaching of each new season! God never fails to surprise us as he unfolds blessing after blessing with the promise of every sunrise.

Today, I want to share a little story with you that really touched my heart and spoke volumes. My precious mother in law passed away a few years ago and I have had a plant that I have always kept since her funeral. My mother bought it and it was very special to me because of both of our mothers. Ever since we have had it, it has fought to stay alive. It outgrew the small basket that it was in, so I transplanted it. It never seemed to do well no matter what I did. I tried giving it more water, plant food, more sunlight and I babied it year after year. Finally, this summer I just kind of gave up on it, thinking that its best days were over. Not long after that, Jossalyn, my little two year old granddaugher, accidentally, upset the entire plant, dirt and all. Bethany, my daughter, seeing what Jossy did, felt terrible, knowing how much I had babied that plant. She quickly threw the plant, dirt and all, back into the pot, in a quick frrenzy, trying to get the nerve to tell me what had just happened. Of course, I was sad, but what could I do? I figured the plant had seen better days anyway and this was the final good-bye.

Well…. I didn’t really do anything with the plant than usual. I still kept watering it. As the days have gone by, the plant has come alive like never before. It is growing like it never has. It is getting tall and vibrant and green, lush and healthier than ever. It is standing tall, reaching up to the sky as if to say, “Don’t give up on me. I am still going to bloom and flourish like never before!” It was also a pleasant reminder that my mother in law is okay as well and God is holding her in his mighty hands. Her love still lives on in all of our hearts.

Wow! What a testimony to all of our lives! It seems like the crazier our lives can get; the more dirt that is piled on us, we can still thrive through it all! You may think that your good days are over. It may really look like it too, but never give up. Your best days are in front of you. You may be going through the darkest time of your life, but you are going to rise above the dirt and you will break through all of the heartache and pain and blossom like you never believed possible! Never give up on God. He is making your broken beautiful again!!!! He will renew you in every way and you will become that beautiful butterfly that has been waiting to be set free!

I love you guys!
Brenda

Colossians 2:7-9
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.