K

How many times have you gone into a situation or idea with the absolute best intentions but the outcome is far from what you expected? I will give you a personal example. As many of you know, this year has been especially hard on our family after the loss of my precious mother-in-law. My husband and I tried to carry on with the demands of owning a business, having small children all while both working, but somewhere in the midst of the busyness and grief, we changed direction.

We enjoy growing flowers, sharing with the community and gifting to those we love, but we knew this year would just be different as we searched for peace and healing. Our intent never changed; however, the outcome has. The known successful method to growing flowers on our farm was neglected due to external factors and the “easy way” was executed to get our seeds in the ground. This world is full of external factors that cause us to try and find the easy way out even with the best of intentions. As I walk through my flower garden, that was ironically more work this year than any year before, I question why God didn’t cause it to flourish even through all circumstances against us. The rain, cold and weeds are all no match for God….why not the fruitful outcome?

Friends, just because we walk with God it does not mean that He is going to bring success to everything you touch. There are times that intention and outcome are contradictory to bring about a new lesson or teaching that would not be learned otherwise. What have I learned through this season of our lives? God has taught both Dennis and I that perfection is not expected and although we view success through the harvest, our Father sees it through our hearts. Even when the result isn’t what you expected, was your heart in alignment? The flowers are insignificant compared to the loss we’ve suffered this year, but the lesson has been great. Although we intentionally went to war for God to heal his mother, God had other plans that didn’t include that ultimate healing earthside. The ground was tilled, the soil was rich and the timing seemed right, but those seeds (prayer) were never meant to take root in the natural.  Sometimes we don’t receive what we feel like we deserve through the hard work, prayers and best of intention, but I can promise you that it is never wasted.

Every seed sown in your life is an opportunity to receive a harvest if not this season but the next. Don’t lose hope when what seems like failure comes because God can use every setback as a setup to the new journey ahead. The enemy would love for you to get in your head and make you believe God has abandoned you and your efforts. He has not abandoned your family or even your dreams – maybe there is a Heavenly shift that is taking place that will launch you to the outcome you never saw coming. Our flowers are just a small piece of the ministry that our business produces and it was a reminder for us to never lose sight of the incredible things He has brought to pass on this sixteen-acres purchased by faith.

A lesson we would have never experienced if it weren’t for finding our way out of the depths of tragedy and loss. Never stop praying, working, striving, preparing and sharing because the final outcome will be our reward in Heaven if only you intentionally seek a life of righteousness.

“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:1-3. 

Blessings,

Kayla