FLOWER in FORMATION

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Been doing quite a bit of “recovery work” the last couple of days. That is not to say that I don’t do recovery work every day, but of late I have been spending time with advocates and others who like me are in “long-term” recovery. 

We are working on housing initiatives.  Data collection initiatives. New inclusion opportunities and more ways for our FAITH-COMMUNITIES to become more integrated.

Now before you move on saying, “What does this have to do with Opportunities for Hope” I am getting there, I promise.

Often it is in these types of forums and discussions that I meet folks who have AMAZING stories; remarkable stories of recovery, deliverance and now, purpose.  And as we share ideas I am reminded of this little quote from Disney (I am in Florida 😊).

The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all. - Walt Disney

Isn’t that a lovely thought?

It is a lovely truth!

For example:

My new friend DM began his journey to recovery after the painful expose’ of his addiction by some overly exuberant officers in his front yard much to horror of his on-looking children.  Jail followed. Shame followed. But so too did a beautiful and SPIRIT-filled purpose. Now DM is overseeing 85 homes for those needing recovery residence. 

A BEAUTIFUL flower from some deeply bruised soil.

Or how about my friend AB? She struggled with addiction, found sobriety only to see her child lassoed by the disease in his early years.  Yet from that adversity the sprout is peeking through the soil and promises to be a beautiful flower of ADVOCACY and HOPE from the adversity!

Friends, it is these stories (and there have been more than 20 others these past 2 or 3 weeks) that INSPIRE me and REMIND ME that…

Though we MAY experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option…God has not forsaken us. We may GET knocked down but ARE NEVER KNOCKED out.

Adapted from 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (TPT)

That…

after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up.

1 Peter 5:10 (TPT)

Are you in the middle of some ADVERSITY?

Maybe things were swimming along and an unexpected riptide has upended things.  Maybe an unexpected detour?

Don’t cower from the adversity!

REMEMBER that we MAY experience pressure, we MAY experience suffering, BUT GOD has not left your side!  Jesus’ promises are STILL as true today as they were prior to the challenge!

Don’t quit!

Your FLOWER is in FORMATION!

And it WILL be beautiful!

Character develops in stream of struggle and adversity. Character is foundation of your inner beauty… - Anil

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LOVE YOU ALL

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE