Be Joyful in the Uprooting

September 7th, 2008 –



As I was getting ready for church I asked the Lord what He wanted to say that day. “Mercy” was what I heard. I heard it again during worship at church.

Then she saw a yellow daisy. God’s big and gentle hands came and dug it up and put it in a pot. He did this, not only to protect it from the change of seasons and harsher weather, but because He wanted to transplant it to a place on a higher mountain. Until He took it there, He kept the pot close to Him – arms wrapped around it and close to His chest – His heart!

Then He said, “Today is the last day in your comfort zone – the ground you have been planted in and comfortable living in. Don’t be afraid of the uprooting. And don’t think you will stay in the pot forever. It is a temporary housing to keep you close to me; to keep you indoors out of the way of bad weather; to protect you. When spring comes, I will transplant you to a beautiful field on a mountain surrounded by other flowers (lots of yellow daisies) and grass.



Trust me in this uprooting. Trust me to replant you to better ground – to a better environment. Enjoy the time alone with me while you can. I am looking forward to spending time with you, to seeing you in my house, making it more beautiful just by your presence.



You will not wither in the pot. I have good soil in the pot, soil that has added nutrients that you didn’t have in the ground you were in. You will enjoy it. It will taste good. You will be amazed at how it nourishes your body and makes your color brighter and healthier and how much better you feel. Enjoy the time in the pot. I’ve got you close to my heart! The time will come to be replanted, but enjoy the indoors for now.”



The meanings of the following words are interesting:

Daisy: Innocence, Loyal love, purity, a classic symbol of beauty

Yellow: Joy, happiness, intellect, energy

Gerbera Daisies: Cheerfulness

So what was God saying with all this?

In looking back on the past couple months, it becomes clearer to me. At the time I could not even imagine why God was talking about Mercy and what He was saying when He said “Today is the last day in your comfort zone”. Sept 7th the US Gov’t (FHFA) took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – of which, Henry Paulson (US Treasury Secretary) and Ben Bernanke (Federal Reserve Bank Chairman) both supported the decision. You can read more about the ensuing drama within our economy all over the web – but here is one site – Global Financial Crisis of 2008 (Wikipedia). This was just the beginning. Suffice it to say . . . our “comfort zone” was quickly disappearing!

We are God’s “classic symbol of beauty”, the love of His life. He desires to see us joyful, cheerful and happy. . . . . even when we are not in our “normal” surroundings and are out of our comfort zone.

Have you been taken out of your comfort zone this fall? Are you experiencing an “uprooting” of some sort . . . financial, relational, emotional, spiritual? If so . . . trust what God is saying to you today. Trust in HIM! He knows what He is doing!! It is for our good! I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this recently (from God and from others who are listening to God) – but He is REALLY wanting to get it through to His children . . . . TRUST IN HIM during this time of uprooting and transition!! Trust Him to take you to better ground, higher ground! Stay close to Him and drink in the nourishing water and satisfying soil He has placed you in – even if your “space” feels a bit confined for now.

TRUST HIM!!

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”



Give thanks and be joyful today! CHOOSE to be joyful . . . despite your circumstances! Lean into God and let Him hold you close to His heart!!

Dig deeper today – even when you feel like your pot is shallow!