+It didn't really take faith, but experience of My faithfulness to plant the zinnia and cleome seeds. Now they are beginning to flourish - crowding each other out with their dazzling colors - bringing joy to your heart and spirit. Everything is in bloom. Bushes that were brown and empty are busting with white fragrant pompoms. The dragon-leaf begonias overflow their container...cascading their lush blossoms over the lip of the hanging basket. This is a season of fullness. You take special joy in it because you have been actively involved in nurturing it. The beauty reflects your handiwork, giving you great joy in watching the wonders of My Kingdom manifest before your eyes. As I said initially, this foray into your Father's extravagance didn't take any faith on your part because you have seen his Hand in past summers. But all these flowers still can teach you about faith, because they display your Papa's nature...that He is faithful about all of His creation and that He loves to give good gifts; that He sees and responds to child-like expectation and that He loves to say "Yes!" He is always saying "yes"! Of course, sometimes, like with the flowers, it takes time for it to fully emerge. So, with all your prayers... let your heart be filled with expectation. Hold My Hand. Allow yourself the luxury of being held in the Massive Arms of the One Who loves you best... the One Who has been cultivating and nurturing you until you bloom into the fullness of all you were created to be! Flowers can't be forced, but they can be patiently expected and welcomed. So too, with the deepest prayers of your heart (interestingly - you don't even really consciously know what they are - but your Papa does!) the key is to release everything...everyone...into the Hands of the Master Gardener... sure that His plans to prosper everything about you are perfectly timed. Cultivate expectancy in the unfailing goodness of your God. That's the secret that keeps your heart and your mind in perfect peace. Waiting becomes a joy ...like the rich swelling of your own body, as you were pregnant with life. (And oh...could you EVER have imagined the love these sons would engender?!) It all started in a garden. And so, it is only fitting that you feel My Love and Presence in the midst of all this blooming! Let your flowers help you to be still and know that I am your God. I love to turn things that look dead to life. This applies to everything about your life. So, rejoice! 

- It's been a blazing hot week so we finally closed the windows and turned on the air conditioner. What a wonder!

+Yes! and as you've been sitting here wrapped in My bright Presence enveloping you, you suddenly heard the soft influx of the cool air coming through the vents. As the day goes on, you won't be aware of the almost silent on/off/on/off as the house is maintained at a comfortable level. Outside, things are wilting in the sun. Here, the atmosphere is cool. This is how your outer world can be manipulated... unaffected by the hot July day. I know that you desire your inner world to maintain a constant awareness of My Presence throughout your day. Like the invisible influence cooling the air, you know that I'm always present. You are just not aware of it for most of the day. You wonder how you can go about your business... your mind dealing with a myriad of things... and keep that steady, calm experience of My Presence saturating your environment. Throughout your day, you can be unaware of the beauty of many things around you....your husband...whose love is ready and waiting to greet you... the flowers that have soaked up all that rain and are slowly unfolding into their full stature... on and on it goes. This is why you are encouraged to Be Still and know that I am God! How does one do that and still manage to accomplish anything throughout the day? Ah... but that's the sweet mystery of the Kingdom! As you seek and long to be aware, you realize that YOU are the one who is being pursued! It's My Beauty and Love chasing after you!  If you choose to be still deep in the core of your being, there I am...My Beauty and Love wrapped around you! I am always here... always accessible... always saturating your life with the cool refreshment of a love that surpasses everything. e.e.cummings' said it well;"i carry your heart. i carry it in your heart." This is truth. This is knowable. This can be the influence that constantly infuses your day with Glory. Be still and know. Learn from the Holy Spirit, your Master Teacher, how to rest in this perfect Love that is yours for the taking. It is His joy to teach you. Right now, the air conditioner is silent, but you know... you are attentive to the fact that the vents will bring the coolness any minute. Speak My Name as you breathe. Talk to your Father throughout your day. Know that My promise that I will never leave you or forsake you is the bedrock truth you can rest in... the coolness that can continually refresh you no matter what is going on. So enjoy this day. Enjoy the expanding prayer closet that started in the corner of your room and now has taken over your day! Walking with the Father Who adores you... Who waits always for your return...is the most beautiful, fulfilling thing you can do with your life. He IS your life! Enjoy His Love today and you will accomplish much!