Monday, February 21, 2011

Smelling Spring


Spring floods the air as I inhale all the potential of a new season of growth.  God started my year using a garden analogy, so I continue mapping out my garden with His master gardening hands.

Winter months allow time for gardeners to dream, plan, order seeds and become inspired.

As God continues to prepare my soil, He reveals areas where my heart isn't tender, as well as weeding out strongholds that would drain nourishment for future fruit.  As I water with prayer, the soil begins to yield to accept the new seeds He is planting.

My inspiration for my spring garden planting comes from hours of reading before the Master Gardener.


What difference do it make? began breaking the clotted soil, removing past reservations and prompting me to step out beyond my comfort zone.  Seeing everyone as Same different as me reveals a side of my garden I look forward to planting.

My small seedling is mentoring a high-risk student in public school.  I step out with the words of one testimony which said, "how can you serve them if you don't know them?"

   Denver Moore - Most people want to be circled by safety, not by the unexpected.  The 
           unexpected can take you out.  But the unexpected can also take you over and change
           your life.  Put a heart in your body where a stone used to be.


          - That blessin means you give a person a little gift to show 'em you think they matter
             on this earth, and helpin is when you stoop down with the person and stay there
             till they can climb on your shoulders to get up.


God continues to expand the borders of my heart as I relate to my assigned girl.  She is "same different as me"....we share the same birthday, as well as being first-born in our families of three siblings. God is knitting our hearts together and loosening the soil of my heart.

As spring continues to draw me into the promises of new seed planting, I praise God that He is tilling, planting, weeding and watering my life. My prayer for this new season of growth is that I will stoop down and stay with a person to allow them to climb on my shoulders to get up.  Isn't that what God does for us?

*You can click on the words in blue and see the full story and ministry of Ron Hall and Denver Moore.* I never receive any compensation for the books or items I share on this blog...I am just sharing my thoughts.
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32 comments:

  1. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/February 21, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    Janette:

    My husband just finished the first one, andhe's read them both. I've read Same Kind of Different as me, and we loved those books! I'm so glad you wrote about them. Lots of think about!

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  2. DebbieFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    How interesting this book sounds. I will look for them. Have a wonderful day! HUGS

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  3. Ginny MarieFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    I love that you are a mentor! I'm sure you will teach her a lot, just as she will teach you. I can't imagine anyone better for the job than you! :)

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  4. Kathleen February 21, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Spring truly does have a scent all it's own, doesn't it? Here in the Pacific NW it's the salted air, and the aroma of growing grass. Together they're quite a tonic.

    Books that reach our hearts are rare. Sounds like you found a winner!

    Enjoying some heart-border-expansion with you!

    Kathleen

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  5. LorieFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    It is wonderful that you are a mentor. I know you are a tremendous blessing to that precious girl.

    Those books sound very interesting. I am going to head over to paperback swap and put them on my wish list.

    Have a blessed day!

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  6. myletterstoemilyFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    good morning, janette!

    i loved "Same" so much and quoted it
    all the time. now i will have to read
    the next one.

    thank you for always inspiring me!

    try to do one ornery thing today.

    love,
    lea

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  7. CindyFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    This sounds like a great book. I always appreciate hearing what a fellow book lover recommends, especially in the Christian genre.

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  8. DebbieFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    This is so perfectly connected to the SS lesson that God *insisted* I teach yesterday that it is amazing. We're in transistion and I didn't know where to go next.

    I'm clicking those links!

    Wonderful post, Janette.

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  9. JayneFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I have just discovered your blog and love your writing.

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  10. Simple HomeFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Without a doubt, you will be a wonderful mentor to this girl. She is blessed more than she knows.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  11. Gwen TFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Thanks for putting that picture up - now I'm going to have the Green Acres song in my head all day. :)

    That's wonderful that you're doing this mentoring!

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  12. Deborah AnnFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Wow, love the whole 'spring seasonal planting' theme here. Even in the dead of winter, things are starting to grow.

    How cool that you're helping someone get back on their feet. Your garden is starting to look mighty fine!

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  13. SandyFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    I have been wanting to read these
    anyway, think I will go ahead now
    and get them. How did this job as
    a mentor come about? I think it's
    wonderful of you and I know both
    of you are being blessed more than
    you even realize at this time.
    I love all things to do with spring
    and gardening. This was lovely to
    read. :0)
    Have a blessed day.

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  14. TheresaFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    What a blessed girl to have you for a mentor! Thanks for the spring post; we woke up to more snow today :)

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  15. A multi-dimensional lifeFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    I love the analogy!
    What a blessing for this young girl that you answered God's call to step outside your comfort zone. I'm sure the seeds God is planting in both of your lives will flourish. "get up on your shoulders and climb up" yes, that is what God does for us. Thanks for the reminder and for being such a remarkable example!
    Love the fact that you share the same birthday!

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  16. ShandaFebruary 21, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I loved this, especially the idea of expanding the boundry of your heart. I will have to buy the book. I read "Same Kind of Different as Me' but not the next!
    Good job!

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  17. LisaFebruary 21, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    The books and story are so amazing! I have a dear friend and neighbor who just loves these.

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  18. MaryFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    "expanding the borders of my heart"...to make room for more....my prayer too!

    yes, yes, yes!!

    Grace and Peace

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  19. Farm GirlFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    I like your thought and what God is doing in your "garden." He does like to cut the branches that don't bare fruit as well as train us to grow where we had not planned. Oh yes, I love verses about gardening.

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  20. laughwithusblogFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    I loved that book!

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  21. SharonFebruary 21, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    This was special, Janette. First of all, I read that book, Same Kind As Different As Me, in my book club. It was really powerful. Puts a lot of perspective on things, huh?

    I am also the oldest of three siblings - go figure!

    And how I applaud you for taking this step of mentoring. It must be so challenging - but the rewards will be so great. I know God's hand will be on both of you.

    I really liked your garden "word picture" - I am also asking the Master Gardener to work on me - weeding, planting, uprooting, and watering - doing what needs to be done in order to bloom for Him.

    I was blessed by this today - GOD BLESS!

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  22. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    You're always an inspiration, Janette!

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  23. moreofhimFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    God is doing this with me in so many ways - different than yours - yet he's breaking up the soil of my heart, too, and helping me to open my heart to others.

    I had heard about this book and it looks really good. I would like to read this. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

    God bless you - Julie

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  24. Pen WilcockFebruary 22, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Thanks for the introduction to that book, Janette! x

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  25. SueFebruary 22, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Awesome post Janette, I always leave, challenged, inspired and uplifted in my spirit, you not only are a mentor to this lady, but to me as well.
    I will check this book out, it sounds like something I need right now.
    As always thank you for being an obedient servant.
    Hugs, Sue

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  26. lioneagleFebruary 22, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Hi Janette -

    This is a great piece and it is great that you have been led of our Lord to love on the high-risk student. Certainly, your light will shine on that situation.

    It is interesting that just before I came here to your blog, our Lord had me to read this from Exodus 3:8 - KJV: "And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up..."

    Thank you, Janette, for your choice to impact others...

    What a mighty GOD we serve!

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  27. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Janette,
    You are a blessing.
    And an inspiration. Thank you!
    Have a wonderful day.

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  28. Leslie @ Farm Fresh FunFebruary 22, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Beautiful post. Will check out the links! Bet you're an awesome mentor. You're growing a very nourishing garden that I enjoy sharing with you! THANKS!
    xo
    Leslie

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  29. Lea @ CiCis CornerFebruary 22, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    Oh, my goodness, thanks for reminding me of the truths of those books! I love, love them both! A profound and inspiring post!

    Happiness to you!

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  30. Crown of BeautyFebruary 23, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    Janette, I love this book. It is a book worth reading. Gardening is also the analogy I use in my own Christian growth. Staying down there with someone... and not just doing things within our comfort zones... the unexpected forces change and growth on us... yes this is so true, Janette. And hopefully, your girl will someday grow tall, and she'll be able to step over your shoulders, and become a mentor to someone else.

    LOvely post.

    Maybe you can do a giveaway, and ask the publishers to send free copies to the winners. Wow... just a thought.

    Have a great day ahead of you...

    LOVE
    Lidj

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  31. myletterstoemilyFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    i missed a VERY important part of your
    post . . . that you are mentoring a high
    school girl. how in the world to you
    have time to do all that you do????

    i have nothing but time on my hands
    and mentor a 2nd grader, who i pray
    will be part of my life when she is in
    high school!

    another sweet thing to have in common
    with you. :)

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  32. Diana FergusonFebruary 24, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    I got to hear Ron Hall a few months ago. What a blessing!!!

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