How to Thrive - a Post for Plants and People

The Thanksgiving cacti are sprouting new growth right now - fresh green as the daylight wanes. They are getting ready to bud.

Last year, one of my plants - the orange one - only had a single lonely bud and bloom. It was the first year it was bloomless, while the older plant burst into a cacophony of magenta. This summer, my Easter cactus almost died not from neglect, but because I gave it too much water and sunlight. I had to learn a different way.

Each plant needs its own unique care, light, water, soil, pot size, and food. Some grow easy. Some grow hard. They are not unlike my children who were all such different personalities. As a mom, I had to learn how each communicates, how each learns, what each loves to eat and then somehow keep them all alive. It's truly a miracle that they survived being raised by such an amateur.

My point is, if you are the caregiver, be gentle, be attuned to the life form you are caring for, and don't forget to talk, pray, and sing around them. I promise, if you do this, they will thrive. I believe every living thing knows when someone is loving it, whether plant, animal, or human.

Finally, if you are the one being cared for, receive your care with grace and forgiveness. Let's all do our best.

Chris Tracy is an author and a grandma who loves life. Find her books on Amazon and at www.christinetracy.com

“Is This Enough?”

I was walking through the woods, mist in the warm Texas air, and was thinking how beautiful it was and how thankful I felt to be walking at this moment. It was 25 degrees cooler than it had been the past sweltering week. I was reveling in it and so was Daisy. Suddenly a voice spoke in my imagination saying: “if this is all you had; right now; forever…if your dreams don’t happen and your hopes aren’t realized…is this enough?”

I knew it was Papa God talking to me. I looked at the ducks swimming in the Pecan Bayou and the trees drooping heavy over the path and felt the warmth on my cheeks and the true joy in my heart. I did not hesitate.

“Yes!” I answered. “This is definitely enough.” 

Then I began to sing to Daisy one of my favorite songs. (Attached here.)

“Poems and Prayers and Promises” by John Denver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuP1kMRyKOY

Find my books on Amazon.

Poem 8 of 30 Poems by Christine Tracy

 

Glimpses

I have seen:

The glistening of fresh powder snow

in the sun rays of a bluebird sky.

I have seen:

The colors of Spring blanketing

the winter worn land.

I have seen:

A moonless summer night

lit by the colors of the Milky Way.

I have seen:

A fall of brilliant gold-covered mountains;

white-trunked aspen

shining like the sun.

These fresh air glimpses.

These things that

touch my heart and make it glad;

these beauties of nature that cannot be

adequately described, but only felt, smelled,

heard, and loved beyond words.

Could these be?

Could these be glimpses?

Glimpses of Heaven?

Evidences of a creative, joyful, God

who loves to love us through His Creation?

Grace For One Day

I'm doing a 7-day visual journaling challenge with Matt Tommey of Thriving Christian Artists. For Day 2, we are supposed to express our spiritual goals through our art. My art is photography and writing, so I thought I would complete this assignment right here on my blog. My spiritual goal for 2019 is to learn to live inside the grace of today - one day at a time. Each day has enough grace in it for me to handle what that day brings. Tomorrow will have grace for what tomorrow brings. 

To illustrate this visually, I chose a photo I took on a ranch near Hartsell, Colorado. I was walking outside in early Spring, and happened to look down. This is what I saw - a kiss from God with an exclamation of His love. Each day I want to look for and capture an image of His presence and His grace for "today."

Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Matthew 6:34 - TPT

Take a Shot of Joy!

My Mr. Lincoln rose is so fragrant. Isn’t it fun how nature gifts us with things that fill our senses with beauty, sounds, and smells? Even the antics of my puppy bring so much joy and out loud laughter. Today, something in nature is going to catch your eye and give you a shot of joy. 

Psalm 16:11 - You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Painted Ladies and Papa God

Last year, the Painted Lady butterflies invaded Colorado’s Front Range. For at least 10 days, our garden was full of hundreds of these pretty creations who were enjoying the nectar of my flowers while we enjoyed the beauty of their being. The news reported on this phenomena. Everyone was talking about them. Even our pastor proclaimed it a sign of coming spiritual awakening in our state. For me - I simply delight today in the memory of nature’s invasion into my days. May nature give you a special blessing today!

Psalm 19:1 - God's splendor is a tale that is told; his testament is written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story every day through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation's craftsmanship. - The Passion Translation

Psalm 19:1 - God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning. Professor Night lectures each evening. (The Message)