The beautiful Sunflowers

Something occured to me today.
Kansas is in the heart of the bible belt and it is referred to as "The Sunflower State"

Sunflowers are wonderful flowers that have spoken to us for hundreds of years, yet we haven't always heard!
The Sunflower, as it grows, faces the sun, following it warm embrace as it travels across the sky until the dark of night arrives. Once the sun has gone down, you will notice that the sunflowers continue in vain to follow their beloved life giving sun, they search tirelessly looking in all directions. On cloudy days, the same is true. The sunflower desperately searches the skies for the warmth of their sun.
The fascinating thing about these quite often overlooked flower comes at its maturity. Once this faithful flower matures, it looks directly to the East! It knows wihout a doubt where the sun will return.
As Christians we want to follow Jesus, the Son. When times of darkness invade our world as they often do, we may desperately look for our precious Savior to embrace and warm us with His love. When trouble comes and we do not know which way to turn we are taught to not give up but to seek Jesus out for comfort and hopefully, answers. Then, as we mature in our faith, we come to understand that Jesus is with us always, we know He is there, so we no longer need to search for him. As our faith grows into maturity, we learn if we hold on to our faith, when it seems the darkness will never end, we know to whom we need to look and we know where to find Him. The bible tells us that Jesus will return to earth and He will return from the East.

The sunflower has become more beautiful and more precious to me each time I think about them or when I see them. I love their message of faith, the way they teach us to follow the Son, the way they show us from where He will return. Once the Sunflower has matured it looks to the east as we should for the Sons return, never swaying from its calm patience. Never doubting His return. Understanding, that Jesus is "with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b)

COMPANY CLEANING

When I was growing up and grandma was coming for a visit or when we were expecting my cousins from Colorado mom would tell everyone that it was time to “company clean” and as excited as we were to have our family come stay with us, we hated what it meant to “company clean”.

Company cleaning meant floors would be washed, hard wood floor polished, floor boards, and windowsills scrubbed. If you can relate, you might be able to say it was like getting ready for the ‘the white glove test’. But cleaning the house was not the end; we next had to bath and dress in nice, clean clothes. Mom would also tell us that under no circumstances were we to do anything that would cause us to get dirty OR to get in trouble once the family arrived. Mom was not a clean freak…except when company was coming, she would tell us that it was the best way we can show them just how much we love them. Being ready, and presentable would tell them how much we were looking forward to their arrival.

Being ready for our families visit was always very important for mom and dad, and I have continued the tradition. My kids moaned and groaned just as much as I did when I was their age. But in the end, when grandma and grandpa arrived, it was worth all the preparation because of the love and excitement that came with them.

One day this last summer, I was on my way to work and as I talked with God I felt a special message from Him: “Linda, it’s time to Company Clean.” I knew right away what he was talking about because I had begun to notice the horrible trash strewn around our town and I have seen

so many people these days who are not prepared for Jesus’ return. They aren’t ready and they do not even think about being ready. Many believe He is not coming within their lifetime so they do not have to worry about it. But we don’t know when he will come back to take us home.

I am not trying to say “The end of the world is…is…uh..THURSDAY” but I am saying that it is time to prepare. It is time to clean ourselves, our minds and hearts. It is time to openly love our neighbor and rid our thoughts, words, and actions of sinfulness. Then as we work on becoming the loving neighbors that Jesus has told us to be, we need to clean our communities, care for our lawns, and show pride in this wonderful world we have been given.

God created the world and all that is in it and; “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15) so it is our responsibility to care for our yards, streets, neighborhoods and towns. We do not have to get 50 people together on a “Clean up America” mission, we just need to take the time to bend over and pick up a can or bottle.

According to Matthew Jesus said: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36) So the time is now for us to prepare. Not later, not tomorrow, but now. It is time to begin showing our love for Him and the gratitude we have for the beauty he has surrounded us with. As you walk, pick up something that someone thoughtlessly threw out thinking “it will just blow away.” and put it where it belongs, in the trash. Then ask God to rid your life of Satan’s influence and pray for His strength to take hold of you and blessings on the things you do as you build a stronger relationship as you care for his house, our world.

It Is Time to COMPANY CLEAN!

May God bless your efforts and bless you each day.

Linda