Wildflower Heart

Yesterday I finally took the time to plant the little wildflower heart that was attached to the box of Mike's ashes. The day happened to coincide with the 6 month marker of when Jesus called Mike home. Six months, wow! Life really does go on and quickly. Below is a photo of the biodegradable box, with the little heart on top. In August the Rice family will gather from various parts of the U.S. to release Mike's ashes into the ocean. 

Several weeks ago, I decided I wanted to plant the flowers in a pot rather than putting them in the ground, so went in search of something special. I'm not sure what I had in mind, but wasn't seeing anything that really caught my attention. Then I came upon one with a design at the top that reminded me of ocean waves and it seemed perfect. Mike's favorite place to be was at the ocean. Any ocean.

I hesitated to break the wildflower heart apart, but I knew the flowers would look better in the pot if they were more scattered so I tentatively broke it in two pieces, then four, and finally five. You know me, I'm always looking for ways that God is speaking in the different situations of life and as I was doing this I was seeking Him. Death and grief can break our hearts, but Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted so I can't say that I feel my heart is broken - Jesus is there. It is sore at times and tears still come, but my heart is also full of Christ and rejoicing at other times. 

Yesterday I rejoiced in an absolutely gorgeous day with low humidity for July in southern Virginia. A perfect day to work outside. So as I broke the little heart apart, I thought of how Mike and I started as two hearts that came together, then our little family grew to four as we welcomed our two sons. When I looked at the small fifth piece, I was amazed to see that the image of one of the doves was completely intact. God's Holy Spirit was right there in the midst of my breaking and planting as He always had been in Mike's and my life together and in life with our sons. Grief is an ongoing process, but as we do all the big and little things to remember our loved ones, it also allows us to loosen our grip a bit more and draw nearer to God who wants to breathe new life and encouragement into us even in the midst of heartache.

I placed the pot near the delicate forget-me-nots that have bloomed so cheerily this Spring and even now. It's the first time I've ever planted them and I've enjoyed them so much. They are right by the back door, so I see them several times a day as I go in and out.      

Psalm 147:3   

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

I am doing well, all praise to God! A month ago I started leading the adult Sunday School class in the book of Revelation. Last Fall TableTalk Magazine's daily readings went through Revelation and it was so eye-opening, exciting and encouraging to me that I wanted to share what I was learning. After much prayer and no small amount of trepidation, we began. Besides the notes I take from TableTalk and the Reformation Study Bible and other commentaries, we are also watching Dr. Robert Godfrey's Revelation DVD series called "Blessed Hope". I am learning so much and God has really given me an excitement and desire to study this amazing unveiling that He has given to us. I try to be organized, but often have so much I want to share that I get lost in my notes and fumble around on Sunday morning, but thankfully God says His word will not return void and the class members are very kind. We are going very slowly and hope to be finished by the end of the year. I would appreciate your prayers that we would heed what the Scriptures say to us. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Rev. 2:7

Case in point, I meant to share the below verse at the beginning of class today since it is Independence Day and completely overlooked it a the top of my notes:

Galatians 5:13

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."

How blessed we are to live in a free country where we can still meet and discuss the Bible openly without fear. Yet, greater still is our freedom in Christ that no man can take away. I am so thankful for all the soldiers who sacrificed so much so that we can live freely and greater still Jesus' sacrifice that we may live freely for all eternity. My heart is full and thankful. 

Happy 4th!

P.S. I received a notice when I opened up the blog this time that the subscriber email will no longer be supported as of July 2021. I don't know if that means it has already stopped or not, but if you are subscribing to this blog and want to continue to get any posts I send, please leave me a comment with your email address. I moderate all comments before posting them, so will not publicly post your information.