I saw a show on deep sea fishermen in the North Atlantic–the conditions they faced in order to catch fish! It was then I became aware that God really does make us different. I realize people need work to feed their families, but I couldn’t imagine a scenario that I would end up working on a ship in the freezing, rolling, wild and dangerous North Atlantic. Thank you for the salmon, brave fishermen!
God gives His children gifts and prepares them for the work He has ordained for them. I believe there are parts of me—yearnings, interests, even apprehensions—that He has stirred, notions to notice and nurture. Something I may brush off as a pipe dream or impractical could be a gentle nudge from God to explore. If it is from God, He will help it grow or, if it’s not growing but the notion’s still stirring, I am to stay faithful until it begins to give fruit. In winter, the fruit tree would seem incompetent. It is only after leaves emerge, buds appear, flowers unfold and die off, that the fruit appears.
I smiled when I saw this tree on my walk. Perhaps it’s two trees, I couldn’t tell, but I saw myself in it. There is the plain ole me, standing strong, going about my earthly business and the spirited, enthusiastic me crowding in saying Let’s do this! This is good! We need to do it! Instead of ignoring or trembling at the ideas, I am learning to listen and sit with the possibilities. Could God be rousing me to bloom and bear fruit? Should I gather my courage and sail new depths and lower my nets?
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith Romans 12:6
Meeting God at the Park 