On Mother's Day morning just as I
was waking up, I had a vision. I saw a single white flower in a vase on our
dining room table. Later that morning they handed out roses at church. There
were different colors available, but the rose handed to me was white. After we
got home I put the rose in a vase, and put it on the table. I didn't make the
connection until a few days later.
Sometimes when I'm feeling lost, God
gives me markers to let me know I'm where I'm supposed to be. I just made a
major ministry change, and we're going to a new church now. I was constantly
second-guessing myself whether I made the right choices. Now I know I'm right
where God wants me. Have you ever received markers concerning your destiny?
Printed
with permission. Debby lives in Wisconsin
with her husband. Her inspiring book, The
Inside Scoop on God, by Deborah Ann Erdmann, is a most enjoyable read.
Have you received markers concerning your destiny?
A
few days after reading Debby’s post, I suddenly realized my own response to her
question while washing my dishes. A
memory flashed before me of Mother’s Day last year. At the end of the church service, moms were
asked to stand as school age children with bouquets of carnations offered us a
flower. I, too, chose a white one from
the bunch but when I pulled it out, I immediately noticed the stem was
bent. My observant husband, an usher,
went to the supply and got me another white carnation with a sturdy spine! I kept both and when I got home, I put them
in a bud vase. I got the bent-stemmed
one to stand up straight only when I leaned it against the sturdy flower.
Last
fall I attended a six-week healing seminar at church called “Cleansing Stream”
with a promised outcome of deep inner healing.
The last session, being one of intense prayer and worship at a Phoenix
church, reminded me of a motivational teaching with the high intensity of Tony
Robbins!
I
became unplugged. I cannot deny the subtle
changes appearing in my everyday life.
Writing helps me understand things, but I needed confidence so I can be
bold in the way I think God is leading me.
I
needed a marker.
I
have always had a heart for the broken. But I never knew the extent of how
much God loves His broken children.
Brokenness no longer scares me, even in myself. I want to be that person that God can use to help support the bent ones just like the two carnations in my bud vase.
Brokenness no longer scares me, even in myself. I want to be that person that God can use to help support the bent ones just like the two carnations in my bud vase.
Because if someone accepts
you and loves you, you don’t look so bent anymore.
God
knew long before that healing seminar last fall that He would touch me and send
me. He was gracious to confirm a marker to
me through a flower just like my friend, Debby.
Have
you received markers concerning your destiny?
I remember when we were thinking of moving up here to the mountains. We were already in escrow with the new home when we listed our other home. I remember telling the Lord that this was my *Gideon fleece* - and if the house didn't sell, I would take that as His answer not to move. Well, it sold in 24 hours at more than our asking price!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I see subtle markers from the Lord - a butterfly reminding me of His presence, a random shooting star, a verse that pops out of His Word, or hearing something that hits me just at the time I need it.
I find that He is in the big things and the small things. I just have to keep my *eyes* open!
GOD BLESS!
Love the analogy of the broken stem, Mary.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, I'm sure our Lord's sent many a marker my way but I was too oblivious. Thanks for the gentle nudge!
Being used by God for the broken is such a worthy mission I do believe.
ReplyDeleteI have had markers or confirmations concerning where God wants me or ministries he wants me involved in. Of course none come to mind at this time but I remember knowing for sure at the time what God's will was for me in a particular situation.
b
etty
What a beautiful story! God really does leave trails of His love everywhere...sometimes I just giggle and say, "God, now you're just showing off!" I love it and He is so wonderful. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteWonderful story. I know I need to be more aware of markers God is sending my way. Thanks fo the reminder. Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup.
ReplyDeleteOh I love how you've used the broken flower for such a heart touching story for us. I done a study years ago that talked about the spiritual markers in our life and it was amazing at how when I began to think about those spiritual markers that I saw the hand of God each and every step of the way. I love how He does things for us! Happy Tuesday! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! I'm glad you kept both of those flowers. I think they needed each other!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a sign of our wonderful God when you get a peek into your destiny, or feel like you are getting a sign that let's you know you're making the right choices. And He always uses such small things! It doesn't have to be an earthquake or a thunderstorm. Just a vision and a flower...
He always knows what will touch us the most.
Blessings,
Ceil
Beautiful post, Mary! I love that you kept the flower with the bent stem. It speaks of the nurturing that God gives us when we're feeling like bent reeds in the wind. A broken and bruised reed He will not forsake...
ReplyDeleteSo nice to read your markers.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose I did experience markers in my life too, but can' t recall any specific right now. You made me thinking! Awesome post!
I love your example of the bent flower needing to lean in order to stand straight. I am reminded of a hymn, Leaning on Jesus and how with Him we can stand tall. The healing conference sounds like a life changer for those who attended and were willing to open their "teachable spirit." I am reading a book by Dennis & Dr. Jen Clark, "Deep Relief NOW. Simple keys for healing your longstanding emotional pain."
ReplyDeleteSimple but the person must be willing to accept the 3 steps outlined. Oh how stubborn we are at times, to push aside truth and go our own way. I am thinking of a friend, who said, "I don't believe the Holy Spirit will convict me to stop saying "Oh my God." She went with us on Sunday to church and the Sun School lesson was on commandment 3 Not to take the Lords name in vain. She was hard hearted (at the time) and did not receive the lesson - - but we believe she will come around to watch her lips. May we all reach out to help those "bent" to stand. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
It's great to get a reminder of how close our Father is and how much He cares… But you have to be searching for Him in all things… and He never fails to leave us a reminder. I can almost sense His smiling down on you and all of us when we see His signs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to keep my eyes and soul on the look out!
It is always such a comfort to know that no matter what happens in our lives, God never lets us down, He always takes care of us.
ReplyDeleteWow, May 25 is my birthday, and i am into this position to move from another country to another to work, i dont know if this post of you is a "marking" for me as well to move to another place. I have a lot of ministry in our church and moving to another place is totally the end of the list.
ReplyDeleteThis post is very helpful, this is really for me a message from God, you're post is for me about moving, and this is posted in my birthday, sounds like hmm...
Hello, I enjoyed visiting you and reading about brokenness. Its so true, and that carnation with the bent stem, leaning on the strong flower is just like us needing Jesus. I was broken in an abusive marriage for years. Its taken me 20 of those years to talk or finally write about it. Yet in that time I learned to become a kinder more tolerant person. Everything has a reason, its not for us to wonder why but rather to look back over hard times and know they have shaped us in a wonderful way.. Blessings from Oz.
ReplyDeleteMary! This is one of my favorite posts of yours! Debby is a good friend of mine! She is a dear! I like what you said about not being afraid of the brokenness in others and that when we stand side by side then we don't look so broken anymore! What a blessing you are! I too had a white rose from the same church Debby attends! So lovely! Enjoy your day today!
ReplyDeleteO thanks, this is a wonderful and beautiful blog. I love it so. It made me thinking about my own markers. Big hug and greeting from Europe to you.
ReplyDeleteYou've given me something to think about. I honestly don't know if he has but with all I've gone through in the past years, I bet he has but I was so into whatever, I maybe didn't notice? Love your blog and reading your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMany nudges, but I have to be still to feel them. I try to remember that we live in a broken world and it is our responsibility to heal it. Wishes for a beautiful week.
ReplyDeleteYes. It is up to us to be aware of these markers and accepting of them. Also, I couldn't help but think that your broken flower was able to stand upright in the vase only by leaning against some one else. Just as in life, we sometimes need the help of another.
ReplyDeleteThere have been times when I question my destiny. I want to be in God's will for my life. But lately as I spend time with the little children at my school, I feel peace. This is where I belong during this season of my life. I don't know how long it will last but for now ...it's good. I want to bloom where He has planted me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love,
Debbie
As I type this comment I do so with amazement that God continues to use me with all my frailties. Good post.
ReplyDelete