Friday, October 27, 2017

Life Outside of God’s Garden

This week I’ve been gathering the last of the summer’s garden harvest in veggies.  A few more tomatoes and peppers ... a bit small, but still so good!

The remaining flowers are trying to make a last grand stand before returning to seed with a few buds still waiting to bloom. Not like this full bouquet of beauty that my neighbor's provided for our viewing pleasure this summer.   

As we worked in the yard I found myself longing for Eden and how we wouldn’t have to “put the garden to bed” so to speak.  When I rambled on to my husband about all that needed to be done this weekend he simply said, “Honey, that’s called living.” 

Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.

International –  Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands; Willemstad, CuraƧao;
Tring & Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom; Trbovlje, Central Sava Statistical Region, Slovenia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Orillia, ON, Canada; New Delhi, Delhi, India; Kathmandu, Bagmati Zone, Nepal; Bijlmer, Noord-Holland, Netherlands. 

USA Canal Winchester & Lima & Fairborn, OH; Albuquerque, NM; Hicksville & Oneida, NY; Oklahoma City, Poteau & Spiro, OK; Woodburn, OR; Ives Estates, FL; Habersham, GA; Sudbury, MA; Russell, VA; Modesto & Perris, CA; Lake Jackson & Old River-Winfree, TX; West Plains, MO; Adena, OH; Glenolden & New Cumberland, PA. 

I am so thankful for your visit and hope that you come back each week to participate in the weekly challenges.  Join us in our new series as we spend time in the study of Daily Favor Relationships. 

You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below.  All are private. I would love to hear from you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life.  Contact me by leaving a message in the box at the bottom of this week’s post.  

Don't miss out on this week's challenge (below).
Be sure to visit Tell Me, Q & A or other sections.

Putting the Garden to Bed 

There’s no getting around fall clean-up, fix-up and preparation for the winter season.  Normally we’re much farther ahead, but with the unusually warm temperatures things just got put on the back burner.   

Well, there are no back burners left and things couldn’t wait any longer.  A few hours turned into entire days of trying to play catch-up before the cold nights came.   

Our garden flowers and plants grew so large that they won’t be able to winter over in our shed.  It will take work and time, but I need to downsize them by repotting some and cutting the roots.  Plus it gives me an opportunity to try experimenting with new plants this season. 

Having to get the plants transferred seems strange this year, especially since the leaves on the trees haven’t fully changed yet.  Even though the yard will go dormant for a few months, my shed will be bursting with greenery and hopefully a few out of season flowers for Christmas such as geraniums. 

The Favor of Fall 

Sometimes daily schedules need to be interrupted to allow for “life” to happen.  Failing to recognize that it’s okay to let the schedule change can cause stress to emerge, which left unchecked could easily turn into squabbles. 

If we forget about how important our relationships are while “changes” happen we’re bound to miss out on the favor that comes with the seasons in nature and our lives.  I don’t want to let that happen do you? 

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV) 

Game Changer 

I guess you can tell by now that this isn’t a regular post, but that’s fine.  Those who follow Daily Favor on a regular basis know that I mostly write about the things that happen in my life and the Lord.  Sometimes that requires me changing things around, and that’s what I had to do which led to spending less time writing this week. 

Like most people, I find that moving one thing to another time or adding more into a schedule can overwhelm me if I let it.   This is when I rely on my relationship with the Lord to help me in my decision making which He did. 

For whoever finds me finds life,, and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:35 NKJV) 

Since I’m not able to be in two places at once, right now I’m out taking care of things in life, which oddly just happens to be playing board games.   Yep, I’m actually nurturing my relationship with hubby and this one is kind of fun. 

For months my husband has been asking me to go with him to Game Day at the Cardio Rehabilitation Clinic.  Once a month after the workout, a group assembles for relaxation, fun and time to talk about their new life as a heart patient.  It’s a good way to get to know one another and share the gospel message of Jesus. 

Playing games isn’t something that hubby likes to do; it’s kind of hard as an only child to get excited about them.  Me … well games were our large family’s way of entertainment.  I have no problem playing them alone with him as a silent partner.  It’s funny, he wins a lot even though I’m playing both parts.  No … I don’t get up and move to another chair … I turn the board! 

My husband is pleased that I’ll be joining him this time, and it’s a change I welcome.  I’m excited at the potential of forming new relationships.  Besides what kind of an example would I be if I didn't practice what I teach in being the help mate God intended a wife to be for her husband?

Sharing Life Challenge:  

Fall is my husband’s favorite season and he looks forward to all the blessings the cooler weather brings.  It’s a great time for us to be outdoors sharing stories of how God has blessed our labor with abundance and favor during the growing season(s).
 
Spending time doing the things my husband likes shows that I care about his interests and what is important to him.  Chores may be a part of what we need to do sometimes, but doing them together brings us closer to one another and lightens the task load allowing more time for the things we both love.
 
Sometimes a change in pace, activity or scenery is a good thing and we need to look at the positive side of what God allows into our lives. As we prepare to “fall back” in time, don’t overlook the favor that comes in every change God allows into your life. 

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV) 

One day when we return to Life in God’s Garden all the toil and preparation will be a thing of the past, but until then we are to tend to His earth as instructed from the beginning. 

Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it." (Genesis 2:15 NKJV) 

A few of the things on our agenda  this week include preparing the garden for cold weather, covering the air conditioners, winterizing the porch, and even though we don’t celebrate Halloween others do so that means making sure the front walkway and yard is clean of any debris. 

Share with us what kinds of things you do to prepare for winter during the fall months?  How do these activities help to grow the relationships in your life? 

P.S. Daylight Savings USA time change for 2017 is November 5th.  Set your clock back one hour. 



Every Season by Nichole Nordeman
 

If this article has encouraged or helped you, please consider sharing it by using the social media icons provided at the end of this post. 

Until next time, God’s favor is “falling” around us! 

“Look for My favor in every change.”
Jesus Christ
 

*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy. 

Note: Emphasis is given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God. 

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness. 

What’s New This Week: Click on the link to learn more.

Guide to protecting plants, seasons, projects, garden task lists outline each season's jobs, from sowing and planting to pruning and harvesting. 

As always, all proceeds from this site go to Christian charity.
Follow Favored1 on Facebook, TwitterYou Tube, Pinterest and Hub Pages Articles. 

Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more information on salvation and becoming a child of the Savior. 

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. 
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Scripture references provided by Gateway Bible in the New King James Bible Version or as noted. 
Image credit: Google Images Creative Common License if not specified.
 
Life in Gods Garden, Favor of God, Daily Favor Relationships, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Garden of Eden, Hubby Update, Fall, Monopoly Game, Genesis., The Gardener's Year.