My Grandkids gave me a beautiful arrangement of succulents for Mother's Day. The pot they came in was too small for all the different succulents', so Jennifer and I separated them into different pots. Let's say I am trying my hand at growing succulents. "Oh, they're so easy to grow!" friends and family said, and I sighed. I have not found succulents easy. My feeble attempts at re-potting healthy-looking plants were rewarded with the leaves plummeting off the plants within a week of my handling them, even as others just turned yellow and sort of shriveled. I was deeply discouraged: was I over watering them, or under watering them? Were they getting too much sun or too little? I didn't know how to fix it, but I suspected they were failing, and the sallow, slumped leaves seemed to confirm this. I looked at the pile of fallen leaves lying in the potting soil and grieved. I studied the rotting ones still attached and tried to WILL them back into health...only to be discouraged when yet another one fell the following day. Of course, it was never just about the succulents. Those little plants seemed symbolic of so much going on. I was trying so hard to make distancing work, and while I could "see" this just wasn't us; I wasn't sure how to fix it. Except, I knew I missed my family and wanted to spend time with them. The yucky feeling of this world or under the weather feeling is a lot more complex than getting the wrong ratio of light and water. But God recently surprised me with hope in the most unexpected places. after weeks of watching leaves drop, and drop, and start to decay and wondering whether my plants were going to make it, I realized I have been looking in the wrong place. My eyes had been focused on the old leaves falling off, but I hadn't looked to the tips of the pant, to see if any new buds were forming. And when I looked, there they were! My efforts at readjusting had not been the failures I'd thought. Hope sometimes doesn't look like the old thing recovering. Dying leaves don't un-yellow and regreen themselves. Hope, as it turns out, sometimes look like a tiny new thing sprouting. And so, when a mentor showed me Isaiah 43:18-19, God immediately brought the succulents to mind: Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up! Do you not perceive it?" I was so focused on worrying about what was being lost, and whether it could be salvaged, I was NOT releasing the new thing. But when I started to look for buds, I realized there was tiny new growth all over the place. and earlier this week I clapped my hands with joy and did a happy dance when I noticed yet another surprising new place of growth: tiny green leaves of growth shooting from the edges of the dead leaves that had fallen! Jesus said the same thing, bit I'd forgotten: unless a kernel of wheat (or a succulent leaf!) falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But it it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:24) What might He be sprouting in me? And in us? What new budding opportunities are there in how God is forming us in our walk with Him? Where are there opportunities for evangelism and neighbors helping neighbors that wasn't there before? What might be some new ways to build a community of togetherness like we never imagined? How might His plans reach children, youth, students, neighbors, and our city be freshly reimagined? How will God keep His promise to build His church in this season? We are invited to keep our eyes open together: He's the one who brings growth, and He is doing a new thing. Thank you for joining me.
Also I would like to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a short note or a comment. Blessings, Margarita & Stace
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AuthorI'm Margaret "Margarita". I am a Christian, wife, mother and grandmother. I talk about faith, my Christian walk, & our life on the farm. I have learned so much & continue to learn from the Word of the LORD. I hope this space will give you encouragement and inspiration in your walk with God. Support Our Vision or Buy me a cup of coffee.
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Book of Matthew Bible Study
$20.00
I'm excited to announce the new bible study starting soon. Tailspin Farms Life In Grace will be studying The Book of Matthew. NOTE: THIS IS A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE A PHYSICAL COPY OF THE BIBLE STUDY. The Gospel of Matthew he Word Gospel. The first book of the English Bible that most of us read from is the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew is the first of the four gospel writings, yet there is only one gospel about Jesus Christ and there are four different writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word "Gospel" means "good news", and the good news is about Jesus Christ dying on the cross and then 3 days later conquering death and rising from the dead, offering salvation to all mankind, this is the Gospel. I hope you that you'll participate in this 15-week series. Matthew has 28 chapters. For the in-depth study the 154-page eBook will help with your study. Prayer Journal Digital
$6.00
Digital Prayer Journal I'm excited to share with you my Prayer Journal. This is a beautiful simple journal to write our your prayers. You can use every day over and over. You will get: 3 pages 8.5"x11" letter size that matches any printer Unlimited prints (personal use) Instant download and get started PDF Printable Enjoy your time in prayer ** THIS IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT. ** NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE SHIPPED. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. * You may print the files as many times as you like for your own personal use. * Sharing this product is not allowed. ** We do not accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations, but please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Instant Download Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. Book of Micah Bible Study
$14.00
Here at Tailspin Farms Life in Grace Bible Study series we are starting the book of MICAH! The book of MICAH is from the Old Testament. The book of Micah contains many warnings of doom and prophecies of hope. In this study on Micah I hope to provide an overview and lessons we can learn from the book of Micah. The prophet Micah was from the small town of Moresheth Gath in southern Judah, a productive agricultural area about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Like Amos, he came from the rural countryside, probably from a family of humble status. While the prophet Isaiah was in Jerusalem addressing the king and international affairs, Micah was a country prophet who was deeply sensitive to the social issues that affected the small towns and villages throughout Judah. I invite you to go through this Bible Study with me. Thank you, Margarita Handmade Goat Milk & Honey Soap
$7.00
Handmade Goat Milk & Honey Soap 4 oz. bar. Benefits from goat milk & honey - it's moisturizing, clarifying, and naturally antibacterial. Goat milk & Honey Soap has always been a favorite, it smells divine, and there are loads of skin benefits. Goat milk & Honey Soap hydrates and nourishes dry skin. It doesn't leave your skin feeling dry. Ingredients: Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauretha Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Goat Milk, Honey Titanium Dioxide. Due to the handmade nature of our soaps and fragrance oil added, all bars vary in color. |
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2273 FM 1681 Stockdale, Texas 78160 |
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