Lessons from a sunflower

Last night, after Bible Study went until 11 (again!), I had a lot to think about. So, I took the "long" way home and drove through the country. As I entered town across the bridge by my apartment, I spotted a lone sunflower that had poked its way through a crack in the pavement by the side of the road. Two thoughts entered my mind. First, like that sunflower, God can create beauty out of the hardness of our hearts--if we allow Him to find that crack. Secondly, the most difficult times in our lives can create beauty. I believe God allows us to face difficulty so He can be glorified in our lives. When we were flooded out of our apartment this winter, and I moved from place to place for a while, I was dealing with the cancer of a friend's husband and the inability to be with them, and also faced some growing pains in my walk with God. But through it all, I consistently received comments that I was "handling the situation well." People just looked at me when I said it wasn't by any of my means that I faced the day. I told them that it was God's grace that put the smile on my face. I'm facing obstacles even today--an old and cherished friendship on the rocks, newer friendships in troubled waters, another friend facing cancer, no prospects for a job--but through it all one thing remains certain: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my hope, my grace that pulls me out of bed each day and allows me to rest at night. I can therefore praise Him at all times. One of my favorite songs is by Chris Tomlin--How Can I Keep From Singing. This song contains the following lyrics.

I can sing in troubled times.

I can sing when I win.

I can sing when I lose my step,

And fall down again.

I can sing 'cause you pick me up.

Sing 'cause you're there.

I can sing 'cause you hear me, Lord,

When I call to you in prayer.

I can sing with my last breath,

Sing 'cause I know,

That I'll sing with the angels

And the saints around the throne.