Hey Reader,

There’s something about July that brings a sense of newness, pace, and expectation. Like the prayers you’ve prayed at the beginning of the year have been sizzling in God’s ear, prepping to meet you in the summer and dramatically change your life right before the colder months roll in (is it just me?).
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This sense of newness captured me as I begged my husband to allow my daughter and me to become plant moms and get this beautiful hanging porch flower plant (idk if that's what they're called lol), we named Vibrant!
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Now, initially, when I picked up Vibrant, it was because she was pretty! We were in the spirit of refreshing things around the house, I just got out of a bad business contract (by the grace of God), and seeing her gave me a sense of a fresh start. What I didn't know was the amount of work that came with being a hanging porch plant mom.

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First of all, Vibrant requires daily watering, specifically in the early morning when the sun is at its peak, and sometimes multiple times a day, even when im tired and my little helper doesn't feel like it.
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She requires rotation, so each part of her can get a dose of sun.
She requires daily pruning (ugh, I wish I knew this one!), where we have to remove the dead and dry parts to give her space to grow … every day…
And she comes with unwelcome guests, bees, flies, spiders, all the creepy crawlers I can do without!
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With all this work and sometimes what seems like an inconvenience, im starting to see that Vibrant is beginning to flourish. Her pedals and stems are starting to grow over the pot, she’s getting heavier, and her soil is super rich.
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This made me think of us.
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How we ask God for something initially because it’s “pretty”, we think it will make our lives better, easier, funner. God gives us the thing, and suddenly we realize it requires WORK and maintenance. Initially, some of our first responses are to grumble and complain. But that work and maintenance allow us to grow in patience, love, perseverance, wisdom, and understanding. Those “unwelcome guest” like convictions, stretching, sharpening are signs of a healthy spiritual life. And the daily pruning and rotation points us back to God.
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Sis, I say all this to say - The process is good and let God work. ​
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Two of my favorite scriptures in this season are found in Philippians.
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​Philippians 1:6 (CSB) - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, and Philippians 2:13 (CSB) - For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.

These two have been pillars for me because they both point to God being the one doing the necessary work in us to fulfill all that He has for us and called us to do - that we too may be vibrant in Him!
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We don’t have to keep up with ourselves (or others), we don't have to complain, nor do we have to be annoyed with the process of becoming because God is working through, with and for us. And with our active participation, we will experience all He’s prepared for us!
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Sis, keep at it, keep strong, and keep encouraged.

Until next time!

With Love & Support,

Odaisha

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