It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.
Leonardo da Vinci
(a lovely collection of flowers at a street stall in Copley Plaza Boston, Massachusetts, Julie Cook / 2014)
As I still manage to find a few treasures lurking here and there in the now mostly overgrown, rapidly declining and terribly neglected garden, yesterday’s collected basket yielded a few choice items and a few items of the unexpected variety. . .
And as I am constantly reminded, Mother Nature will prove time and time again, even in a hodge lodge basket of late season goodies, that there are always lessons waiting to be learned. . .
1.If you turn your back, even for just a moment, things can certainly get away from you. Remember to always be mindful, be not forgetful and always be watchful. Remember to seize the right opportunity and certainly don’t wait nor leave things to chance.. . because if you do, the okra will get too big and too hard and the eggplant will get too long and bitter. . .
2. Things are not always going to be perfect—so remember, “life happens”–for good or bad. Remember that there is no such thing as a perfect plan because invariably life happens, Always take the good with the bad–because there will always be good and there will always be bad. Rejoice because there is beauty and goodness even in the not so pretty or perfect–as in again, life happens–pretty or ugly, good or bad.
Remember that an ugly tomato will taste just a good as the pretty vine mate
3.And just when you thought you had it all figured out, something comes along, putting you back in your place and reminds you that no matter how long you live, you’ll never truly figure it all out. Remember to always remain humble, full of wonder and don’t let the surprises throw you.
Who knew that a gourd of such could be produced along side a nice yellow summer squash—go figure.
4. And just when you thought it was over, finished, dried up, washed up, dead and gone—life seems to thankfully keep coming. When all the other vegetables have run their course and are drying and dying on the vine, the eggplant is coming on strong! Remember, never ever give up HOPE!!!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
“And just when you thought it was over, finished, dried up, washed up, dead and gone—life seems to thankfully keep coming.” It always seems that when I reach the point where I finally give a concern over to God or I reach the point of detachment, then God provides for that desire. This happened again yesterday as I was able to detach from a situation – then I received an email that brought peace. God is so good; however, I wonder why I don’t trust more. What a challenge I must be for our Lord. I am so grateful for God’s mercy. Blessings and mercy to you and your family. Keeping you in my prayers.
I second those thoughts—I often wonder of His patience when my name comes up 🙂
Took my son over to Emory today for more tests—seems he has scaring and nerve damage from the kidney stones–of which is resulting in an over active bladder—they’ve given him meds, but it will take time—I’d appreciate any and all prayers available Lynda—plus that he will actually and finally graduate this december as he thinks is correct–but one never knows with colleges—ooops, seems that course you took 4 yrs ago will now not count…yada yada—-he says at almost 26, graduation has been like this elusive item that once in sight and nearly in his grasp, is always pulled away. I plan a post once he is finally done, but he has struggled, as I think I’ve told you, with a learning disability, dyslexia and ADD with his area being focusing—the diagnosis was in 1st grade–school, all of it, has been a very long and arduous climb on all of us—prayers for an impending graduation would be greatly appreciated!!
Hugs to you and looks as if I’m now picking Natalie up from the airport when I come to get you 🙂 Places are set!!
love to you—Julie
Patience! That life long lesson the Lord has been trying to each me. I am getting better about being patient about somethings, but so far August and the heat do not fall into the being patient category. And I’m looking forward to meeting Lynda. She always has such good replies to your posts. Wouldn’t that be just too much fun?!!! Hugs and love, N 🙂