As soon as the hook and chain was ready, I hoisted her to her new home. She hung proudly between the porch columns and swayed gently in the breeze.
A day passed; all was well. She bloomed and preened and danced with delight. The wind picked up and the gently swaying became a wild roller coaster ride. She had no control over force or direction - helplessly pushed in the direction of the prevailing wind.
Before long, her once proud, straight body gave way to the pressure. She was no longer centered but instead leaned lopsidedly in her pot.
In an effort to help, I took her down and turned her the other way. It didn't help. She wasn't able to stand against the force of the wind and simply leaned in the other direction.
Her plight is a good reminder to me these days. I have often felt driven by winds that would seek to get me going in the wrong direction. I stand quite well when the breeze blows gently and all is well, but let the winds of adversity come and I am libel to find myself helplessly leaning out of control.
The irony is, He stands there with all that I need to withstand the forces that would come against me. He calls me to come, before the wind begins to pick up, while there is time to take them and nurture them in my heart. If I wait for the storm to come, I am ill prepared to stand strong.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
Ephesians 4:14,15
Joining Emily at imperfect prose today:
Blessings,
Linda