Heidi Viars

I love dead-heading my flowers. Early in the morning and in the cool evening hours I go out and spend time trimming away, especially at the Petunias in hope it would encourage more blossoms, which in turn attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Today, in the midst of my summer bliss of chopping away at the plants, I noticed something very disturbing. Something is seriously wrong with my eyes. As I was clipping the wilted parts off the Petunias, I realized that I have only been paying attention to the dead flowers. I have successfully (and to my dismay) trained my eyes to see only the drooping blossoms. To make matters worse, this vision issue has even spread to my day to day ability to assess the world around me.

Maybe it was Bill’s post (at Unshakable Hope) that got me thinking. Maybe it was my realization of my cranky attitude toward my kids. Maybe it was the sermon at church about humility and how we easily spot the flaws in others.

With the news of the fall of well known spiritual leaders, with the bombardment of news of violence in our towns, with the sadness of loved ones passing and one more friend getting cancer, my vision has become blurred. I walk through my day, focused on what needs to be dead-headed, forgetting to look around me for the blossom, namely Jesus.

His promises don’t change.
His Word is true.
His peace is real.
His blood still covers every sinner who surrenders to Him.
His presence, through the Holy Spirit, is available to all who seek the Truth.
His power is as strong as it was when He raised Himself from the dead.

… and those are beautiful blossoms, indeed!

~
Lord, teach my heart to look for the blossoms.
Let me not grow weary or develop a cold heart.
Help me to see Christ
And proclaim the Truth of the Gospel –
In Word and deed.
Teach me to see the good.
Guard my eyes from evil and teach my mind to focus on You.
~

(Heidi Viars, 2015)