{"id":42057,"date":"2021-07-28T06:03:35","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T10:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.joanneviola.com\/?p=42057"},"modified":"2021-07-29T15:09:05","modified_gmt":"2021-07-29T19:09:05","slug":"surprises-on-parched-land-lets-have-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joanneviola.com\/2021\/07\/surprises-on-parched-land-lets-have-coffee\/","title":{"rendered":"Surprises on Parched Land {{Let’s Have Coffee}}"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sometimes God shows up in the most unexpected ways.<\/p>\n

I am reminded of the time we went to help my father-in-law trim his bushes. He was a man who kept his lawn, bushes and flowers pristine. His lawn was enough to make anyone jealous. Due to the issues that come with aging, it had been difficult for him to get to spend time outside.<\/p>\n

While my husband went outside with his dad to do yard work, I remained inside with my mother-in-law. This was to the delight of dad, who was all ready and waiting in his gardening clothes and shoes when we arrived. The sight alone was enough to make us realize how much he missed outdoor time.<\/p>\n

They trimmed the bushes and then decided to weed his garden plot so that the weeds would not be visible from the street. Much to Dad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s joy, four tomato plants had seeded themselves. They were now growing and had flowers on them, meaning the tomatoes were coming. There will never be words to express the joy he felt at his unexpected find. They began, not only to weed, but to soften the ground around them, tie them up and then water them.<\/p>\n

You may be thinking, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Big deal\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

To a man who had always taken great delight and pride in his vegetable garden, this was an amazing discovery. It became something to look forward to each day. Something small to tend to that had always been a source of enjoyment.<\/p>\n

Mostly it was God showing up in a big way.<\/p>\n

Only God Himself could have known how much dad was missing planting a garden. Only God Himself could have delighted dad with this simple, yet profound gift. Only God Himself.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus,<\/span><\/em> it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 <\/em>(Isaiah 35:1,2 NIV). <\/span><\/p>\n

May we each have eyes to see where and when our God shows up.
\nWhere have you seen Him lately?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Insecurity can raise its ugly head every now and then in any one of our lives. Ashley Rowland brings powerful encouragement and Scriptures for those days when we may doubt ourselves. Be sure to read her post “Insecurity: 7 Verses for When You Doubt Yourself”<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.<\/p>\n

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