(I accidentally posted this draft earlier today, and now I do not know how to undo it. It is clearly unfinished; I wasn’t even going to post it.  But in my carelessness,  I have learned I can add to this post, but I cannot “de-post” it. What a massive life lesson, though— we can add to something we have mistakenly done in life, but we can never delete an action or a word!)

I noticed my potted trees in the den this morning.  How dry they were.  I realized they must be living on reserves.  These once flourishing outdoor plants are not high on my maintenance list.  Indoors for the winter months,  I tend to forget to water  them regularly.

I reached to pull off some dead branches and was struck immediately with the harshness of the plant. It seemed to actually “bite” me, and left my skin itching for an hour.

Though not as green as in  summer, the large plants looked fairly normal.  I felt the soil, touched the dry branches and knew immediately, they were starving for nourishment.  I wondered just how long they might live in this neglected state.

Why, oh why, do I ignore the deep yearnings in the difficult seasons of life and fail to focus on His plan and place for me? It is so easy to “appear” normal-whatever normal is. I want to live above the ordinary, the commonplace –even in the dark places.

“As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I  pant and long for you, O God.  My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and behold the face of God? Psalm 42: 1-2 (Amplified)

My plants look strong, but they are fragile, dependent on my hand to give them water.  I am just as fragile, desperately needing daily food from my Father’s caring hand.

Thirsting. . .