Unruly Problems

Everyone I know has been itching for spring to arrive. Even people who don't like to garden are celebrating the bursting forth of buds on the trees and tulips popping up their heads in response to warmth and sunshine.
About a month ago, as I walked in and out of my home, I noticed wonderful clusters of green showing up in various places in my garden. Even when a dust of snow would appear, the green would resist the elements and stay alive.
Oh how happy I was to see some green again!

My mind curiously began to wonder:  what perennial is now beginning to grow back?
Often from one year to next, I forget what perennial I planted where - and therefore spring becomes somewhat of a "treasure hunt".

In the past few years, I've discovered that if I allow a certain annual to remain in the garden right through the fall and into the winter, it will leave copious amounts of seeds that regrow in abundance the next year. What a pleasant discovery! Not only that, but this annual resists cold and continues to deliver lovely white scented flowers mixed with large tufts of green  right into the first harsh cold days of winter.

Between a busy fall and the decision to leave a certain annual... I neglected to fully clear out my gardens as we moved into late fall. I actually liked the look of the various tones of all the browning leaves and the artistic expression they created on the canvas of my garden soil.

Yesterday I finally got to cleaning out my garden.

The small cute, delicate bundles of green that were a welcome sight just a month ago, were out in large groups to greet me. Some even had lovely white flowers to entice me. Problem was.. for the most part, they were all WEEDS.

As usual, my perennials were also popping up, in the carefully planned locations that they had been originally placed. These bright green bundles though had decided it was time to dominate, multiply and take up the real estate of my precious black soil.


Weed - noun

• a valueless plant growing wild, especially one that grows on cultivated ground to the exclusion or injury of the desired crop
• any undesirable or troublesome plant, especially one that grows profusely where it is not wanted: The vacant lot was covered with weeds.

One of the ways God speaks to me is through metaphors. Since becoming a professional coach, the value and message of metaphors has only intensified for me and it has become an incredible tool in my practice. 

Metaphor - noun

•  a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally      applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” 
• something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.

Did you know that a metaphor has the ability to actually create a shift in your thinking and perspective? 

It can actually alter certain neural pathways in your brain.

Metaphors give us a picture of what is, or what could be. Often knowing reality or truth in our head isn't enough for us. We often need to see it in action in order to get a picture of the real impact. 

The right metaphor at the right time can kick start us from knowledge - into experience, action and impact.

Jesus Christ used the power of metaphors in the parables he told. He told allegorical stories to paint a picture in our minds to illustrate and teach a truth.

My garden clean out day, became yet another opportunity for tremendous illustration that drove home a truth and caused me to shift my perspective and make new choices for the future.

And here it is in a nutshell:
 Leaving what seemed like a "beautiful thing" a "last glimmer of life and beauty" in my garden became my excuse not to give my soil the necessary preparation for winter. 

As I write this post, I stop for a moment and google: "importance of cleaning out gardens in the fall"

Oh boy... now it's really hitting home!

Within 15 seconds I see pages of links on this important gardening step. Here's the first thing I click on:

It’s important to clean up all the dead foliage every fall, because garden pests and plant diseases can overwinter in garden debris and cause problems in the garden next year.

No kidding!!! 

Yesterday as my husband and I gardened, we were muttering and complaining about these "unruly problems". What was supposed to be a fun discovery of spring and preparation for growth, ended up being a weed extraction on the mammoth scale!
Not only had these unruly problems taken over real estate on my beautiful black soil, they had creeped onto the lawn. 

By the end of it all, I had a garbage can full of pests  -   a garden that had holes - lost alot of precious soil AND some nasty, pesky roots still trying to hang onto it's turf.

Lesson learned. Metaphor burned into my mind, my spirit, my memory.

As I dug and picked out weeds, I kept asking myself:

What "good or beautiful things" have I decided to keep present longer than what is best? 

What "healthy steps" or "principles" or "processes" have I avoided that are impacting me now?

What are the necessary steps I must take as I exit one season and move into another?

Great questions, and lots of great truths that I am taking away from my time in my garden.

Every choice we make today impacts us in our future. 

Wisdom and truth can become our friend and support structure for future success. 

Doing what feels right or enjoyable in the moment, can be a set up for future "unruly problems" that rob the landscape of our lives and can cost us and take "seasons of time" to bring back into a healthy balance.

What might this metaphor be speaking to you?

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security  - Proverbs 2

1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul

Psalm 2012 v.128

Why must a mother's heart feel such anguish?
Why must the helpless one suffer?

Human minds try to reason with mysteries
Trying their theories on the needy, the wounded, the broken
Some things are beyond all reasoning, beyond all that one can bear
Where are You?
Are You there?

Weighty, crushing is my heart of anguish
Breathless, helpless, life suspended
Wishing, waiting, almost listless
In the stillness, so alone

You are listening, waiting, watching
Crying, grieving, heaving, sorrow
In the stillness, I hear You breathing
And I faintly see You leading
To a place - - so rare

The place of leaning, cleaving, bare
Into something beyond reason
Where - oh where -  oh where?

The place that only You can go
The place that only You can know
The place of humble resignation
And yet - without despair

My hope is found in You alone
The kindest One I've ever known
Who speaks of things I do not know
And keeps me in His care

Come meet me, greet me, in this place
And let me see Your loving face
The One who wipes away my tears
And keeps me in His care

I find my rest in You alone
I lean away from all I know
And press into Your beating heart
And find my safety there

For You are with me, breathing, listening
Touching, reaching, healing, kissing
Your child, your love, be-loved one
I - am in Your care

Now I feel You gently reaching
Loving, caring, breathing, listening
Now I know that You are here
And I am not alone

I - am not alone

Isaiah 66 - As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you

A Time Out

I've had the privilege of having Nancy Beach in Kelowna this week. I've been able to work with her and to help facilitate Gifted to Lead events in 4 different provinces in Canada this year During this time I have come to really appreciated and admire her ability to communicate and I have been overwhelmed with the wealth of wisdom that she possesses from years of experience as a Arts Director at Willow Creek Association.

Last night she went above and beyond and shared at a special arts gathering. During this evening we drilled her with all sorts of questions that are on the mind of arts leaders in the church.

One of he things she talked about was making sure you take time apart as a worship/arts team. It can be a day or two, at a home of a friend, or at a retreat center, but is so important to just do it.
Here is what she says are the key elements of a retreat for your team. I think these elements are not important for any team, and even a family gathering.

Take time out to:

1. Celebrate (where you've come from and the things you've accomplished)
   
2. Honor (one another and the processes you have been in)
   
3. Have Fun (what can I say? Laughter is good medicine!)
   

I'd say that this is good advice!

Pause

Did you think I had left the blogging world for good?

I know its been a while since I last wrote a post. I still have a part 2 to complete, and I will.
But truth is, I've been meditating on my last post for a long time now. I don't like to rush onto new thoughts, especially when God is speaking. He always does a good work within us, if we let Him. Surrender is a good thing, and the way of Jesus. So, I've been on pause.
Pause means:

• a break or rest in speaking or reading to emphasize meaning
• to dwell or linger

Sometimes we need to take a long time to consider what God is speaking to us. If you're like me, I need to take longer, so that I can "get it" God is kind, he's not in a rush, and He always does a good work if we let Him.

I've also been busy at work with our Gifted to Lead event in Ontario. It went phenomenal and I my heart has been buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to be a part of a day of inspiration, networking and encouragement for women leaders. There is a growing swell of strong christian women leaders arising!

Due to the incredible feedback, I started a blog to create a forum for women to learn, relate and share about leadership as a woman in Canada. Click here to check it out. Feel free to leave comments and insights.

Its Time To Ask

Why are we so afraid to ask God for things?

Do we think He won't like it?
Do we think it is too "unimportant" or trivial to ask Him for things that are on our heart?

Are we afraid of the answer, so much so, that we don't even ask?
Is there something wrong with asking?

These are questions on the mind of many of us. Sometimes we get so stuck considering asking, that we don't even bother. Somehow we think we have to know the outcome before we ask.

What is your perspective?
What do you think is God's perspective?
How big is God?
Have I asked enough questions yet?

Listen to words of Jesus found in Matthew 7

Matthew 7:7-11 (New International Version)

Ask, Seek, Knock

⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

It's time to ask. He is waiting to create "God stories" in your life