“Don’t kill these mom!!” Those were the words my daughter spoke to  me yesterday as she handed me a pint of pink petunias. I quickly asked her, “What makes you say that?” She replied, “Mimi told me to say that to you.”

I love my little girl and my little girl loves her Mimi. And together they love to buy, plant and water flowers. An enthusiasm I do not share.

I’m not really sure why I dislike “gardening.” I think it probably has something to do with the fact that I’m terrible at it. I water too much, I water too little…either way, I have a tendency to kill all forms of plant life.

For you green thumbs out there (Hi Mom!), you guys think it’s so easy; and that is because you take the time and make the effort. 

I’ve only had these petunias for a day and you can already tell they’re on their way to plant heaven. And honestly I don’t feel too broken up about it (probably because I didn’t buy them).

What I find interesting is how quickly these flowers have begun to fade after only one day of neglect.

This got me thinking about my spiritual walk. When I let even one day go by without reading God’s Word, I find myself beaten down by the end of the day. I feel burnt out- like I have nothing left to give.

Just like these petunias begin to fade after one day of neglect, so will our ability to make wise choices if we don’t daily spend time with Him. If you’re like me, you’ll find every excuse as to why you cannot make time for the Lord.

But just like caring for these silly flowers, it’s a choice. We either take the time and make the effort, or we don’t. Gardening doesn’t come natural to me, but I’ll probably need to take time and make the effort because it’s important to my little girl. It’s a way to build our relationship and spend time together.

Isn’t it interesting that if the relationship means somethings to us, we’ll find the time and we’ll make the effort? How much more important is it then, that we make time for our Heavenly Father and King? After all, that’s the most important relationship in our lives. Let’s not kill it with neglect.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”  Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)

I read a book when I was in high school called Redeeming Love. It’s definitely a book that every woman should read- no joke. Without giving too much away it’s a fictional story that parallels to the Bible story of Hosea (a righteous man) and Gomer (a prostitute).

I was too immature in my faith at that time to appreciate the book’s connection of Gods love for us in spite of how often we turn away from Him.  All I remember is reading it (at 15) and thinking to myself, “I am going to marry a man like that!”

Little did I know just how much I would identify with the prostitute in the years to come.  It’s crazy to think that God could redeem me from such a filthy and degrading past. But what’s even more crazy is that not only did He redeem me, but He blessed me beyond measure!!

God gave me my own story of redeeming love. Not only did I get to “marry a man like that!” but I also got to experience first hand the book’s truth– God can redeem you from anything! You are NEVER so far gone that God won’t welcome you back.

Kevin and I recently got to share our testimony again at ReEngage & we decided to update the last 10 minutes to include Gideon’s Journey. I hope you’ll find time to watch Our Story. It began as a story of redeeming love and forgiveness…and now continues on as a daily commitment to choose happiness despite our circumstances.

Praise God for His Redeeming Love!

I hate detours. In my opinion they are one of the most frustrating things in the world.

Seriously, you have a destination in mind and you have already planned how you will get there. You’re going along and all of a sudden you find your chosen path is shut down & you must now find another way.

This happened to me yesterday… twice!! I was taking Gideon to therapy and had to turn around from my chosen path because of an unexpected detour. I made the decision to head down a different road only to find that my alternate route was also blocked with yet another detour.

Since I was already 30 minutes late, I made the decision that Gideon’s therapy was not where we were meant to go that day. So I turned my car in the opposite direction of therapy and we went somewhere else entirely.

I feel like detours have popped up many times in my life recently. Maybe you feel the same. Life doesn’t always go as planned and if we’re honest, we hate that- because ultimately that means we cannot not always be in control.

Ever since Gideon made his arrival 15 months ago, I feel like we’ve been forced down one big detour that has only led to several more detours. Just when we think we’ve found our way, we hit another road block.

Our most recent detour has to do with Gideon eating. He was eating 9 oz of food per day plus three 8 oz bottles. He is still taking his bottles but now eats 1-3 oz of food each day. Granted this isn’t terrible like it was in January (when he wasn’t eating or drinking) but it’s still a detour that causes frustration and concern.

But I think figured out the remedy for detours.

Yesterday as I turned around for the second time, I finally asked God, “What plans do you have for us today?” After all Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

While I didn’t get an audible answer from Him, I did get a phone call from my mom.

She asked if we could all go to Chuck-E-Cheese (something Laynie has been begging to do for sometime now). So that’s what we did. We threw out our daily routine and spent some much needed family time laughing and playing. Which as it turns out, was something I desperately needed.

Yesterday’s detour turned out better than the road I was on. Isn’t it interesting how even life’s biggest detours lead to some of the biggest blessings? Gideon’s life touching others is just one example.

I guess it’s my hope that whatever detours you’re facing you realize that there’s purpose and meaning for it. Maybe you’re being redirected because there’s nothing for you down the road that you’re on.

We are learning everyday to trust that the Lord’s plans are greater than anything we could come up with on our own. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Detours may cause frustration but every time they produce growth & an opportunity to seek His will… And ultimately His blessings.

Better learn to embrace the detours.