Out of Place

     This picture was taken on a beach in Destin, Florida.  Walking down the beach waiting for the perfect sunset picture that every tourist longs to capture, I almost stepped on this pine cone.  Its presence intrigued me.  I couldn’t resist taking a quick picture before my attention returned to the rapidly setting sun. Of course, by now you know that it doesn’t take much to send my brain off and running.  That was two years ago, and today I thought of that lonesome, misplaced pine cone. For the most part, I am at peace with the whole “feeling out of place” correlation.  When you take a stand for Jesus, you are often not part of the crowd, but because you have Jesus you are never alone. “And low, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) Praise God for His constant and unchanging love!
     But for some reason, it was difficult being the only pine cone on the beach today. Why couldn’t I be one of the beautiful shells that washed ashore for a change.  Who wants to take a pine cone home from the beach! This bit of a rant stems from where God has me right now, waiting, not so patiently, for His direction, and wait is what I must do lest I miss His mater plan for my life. Yes, there is sand, however, the whole desert, wilderness experience is not what I am invoking here. Heaven forbid!  I have so much in my life to be thankful for every minute of every day. I am just having a battle with impatience, wanting the wait to be over, ready to be of service for God’s kingdom.  

     Returning to my hotel, I again glanced at the lone pine cone on the sand. Then from the corner of my eye, a flash of color drew me in. Curiosity pulled me closer and another rarity was revealed to me. A cluster of yellow flowers surrounded by leaves of green sprang up from the dry, loose sand. How could it be?  I could only smile and take another photograph. God was showing me even then the unexpected beauty He can craft in a dry and lonely place. This was a confirmation of my chosen life verse,”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Again, I claim this promise, but also take to heart the command and promise of the following two verses. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart.” (Jeremiah 29: 12-13)  So with hope and prayer and heart devoted seeking, I await my future, my time to bloom for my Lord and Savior as He leads me in new directions. I pray that, whatever your circumstances, you also bloom where you are planted in the light of His love and with the nourishment of His word, the Bible! To God be the Glory!
 

     

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