Yesterday I shopped for plants to decorate my porch. I purchased two hanging baskets and two citronella plants. Last week I planted coneflowers gifted from a dear friend’s garden. As I look at the porch this morning, enjoying the bright colors, I’m reminded of what God’s instructions to the Israelites when they were uprooted to Babylon. He encouraged them to continue to multiply, plant and reap where He had “planted” them for a season. Throughout my life God has moved me to new locations where I tried my best to plant, reap and bloom until He moved me again. Abraham moved many times in his lifetime as God led him.

When God moved me into my condo four years after my beloved husband was moved to his forever home with Jesus, I knew this would likely be my last temporary home. I’m finding much joy here, as I did in my previous temporary homes. Now there are no children to care for, no husband to be caregiver for, no outside commitments that can’t be changed, and I’m settled in to bloom here. What about you? Do you let the cultural and political pressures interfere with you finding joy in the temporary home God has given you? We certainly face some difficult times, but nothing more than the Israelites endured. We have a choice. We can get caught up in the worldly pressures, or choose to focus on what God is asking you to do.

Lifting my cup of tea and leaving you with this word from God, which was spoken to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:5-7 NLT. “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”