Something Beautiful and New

Since moving to the area from Montana, I’ve enjoyed the weather here, for the most part. We don’t experience the subzero temperatures or have to endure the deep freezes that seem to linger forever in Montana. I have to admit the long periods of gray skies, rain or snow, and short days here in the winter have been a challenge for me. No matter how much I try to stay positive, dreary days can also make me feel dreary.

On the other hand, when sunshine peeks through the clouds and I feel the warm rays on my skin, my mood changes immediately. I find myself trying to soak up all the warmth the sun can give me and I feel rejuvenated.

I’ve already started planning what I want to put in my flower garden. One of the flowers that I hope to grow this year is one that I had in my garden in Montana: the Painted Daisy. I received this plant as a gift from my mother’s neighbor. She had a beautiful garden that would come back each year and last all season. The plant start she gave me prospered wonderfully in my garden and was one of my favorite flowers. I wish that I had taken a start from that plant when I left Montana, because I cannot find it in any of the nurseries around here. I finally found some seeds and have already started them indoors, hoping they will be ready for me to plant in the spring.Watching everything bloom in the spring after a dreary winter reminds me of the beautiful changes that God works in our hearts.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV)

Colossians 3:10, “…and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (ESV)
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2 Corinthians 5:18-20: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (ESV)

I’m thankful that God takes our hearts that can be like winter’s soil, hard and frozen, and renew them by His Word to bring forth something beautiful and new.

Yours in Christ,
Stephanie Rogge

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Stephanie Rogge