+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!