HELD BY THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF JESUS
	Saturday was a gardening day and my plant pots at the front door needed serious attention. I like spectacular, beautiful, showy plants in my front garden. In front of my water feature is a small space where I also love planting something eye-catching. As I walked into the nursery I noticed some spectacular delphiniums already in full bloom but with promising young spikes full of buds! Of course, I just had to have them. I guarded them from snails, fed them with very special plant food, and watered them deeply. The weather forecast last night warned about gale force winds and floods of rain. My heart just dropped into my feet when I thought of my spikes of delphiniums! I did everything to encourage and stimulate growth, but I never staked them! This morning I walked to the window, very sure that I was going to be met with a scene of destruction. Lo and behold, my precious Delphiniums were dancing in the wind!! Immediately these wise words came to me from long ago: "Learn how to bend and you'll never have to break". What a very great truth! Bend when you are facing stormy weather! Bend before the One Who Alone is able to keep you from destruction. The storm will soon pass and you will be dancing, lightfootedly, in the breeze. And you will be whole. Man is so inclined to harden his heart, his stance and his neck when faced with opposition or threats. But I have learned that when you learn to bend before Jesus, the Shepherd of your soul, Who loves you unto death, then you are able to stand against whatever comes your way. We are not sturdy oak trees, we are fragile Delphiniums. When the storms of life are tossing you this way and that, be assured, beloved, that you are being held by something strong enough to keep you - the everlasting arms of Jesus! - Helen du Plessis 083 332 0895