SO MUCH NEW!! Balanced and Beautiful in Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

I've been accepted as a writer on the team at Balanced and Beautiful in Christ, a Facebook Group for women. You are welcome to join it—there are SEVERAL accomplished devotional writers there, but I'll also be sharing my posts here too. The theme this Summer is "Time In the Garden." I pray it encourages and grows you! 

Also, with kicking off this new-ish site, I'm doing a random give-away for anyone who signs up to receive these in your email inbox! Sign up by June 1, and I'll be doing a give-away to TWO people to receive a copy of my book Morning Meditations at Marina's Kitchen Table, A devotional memoir. The random drawing will be at noon (Central Time) on June 2, 2020 from people who have signed up using the Feedburner email form on the right side of the page. 
-Marina

...

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." - I Corinthians 3:6-7 NIV

I was not raised in a Christian home. In fact, I was very much the antithesis of a Christian when God began wooing me to Himself. I walked blindly through major life events—a job change, a new friend, a relationship I thought was long-term ending, and my vehicle catching fire and being destroyed on the side of the highway. In hindsight at every turn, He was steering. Ultimately, He revealed Himself to me through others in a way I could understand His great love for me.

God used people all around me—a new friend kept inviting me to lunch and eventually asked me to church, my new job was for a group of Christian attorneys, and God had a few people pray for me without me even knowing. Each person knew my reputation and knew I needed a Savior named Jesus. Not one of them ever confronted, embarrassed, or belittled me—they only showed love and compassion towards me. They didn’t know each other, but they all knew The Father.

God could zap anyone into obedience, but He invites us to come to Him, just as we are. I came broken with addictions and deep wounds from years of manipulation and abuse. I came with bad memories and low self-esteem because I believed I was not worthy of love. I came with selfishness and pride because I had been raised to believe that I was self-sufficient and didn’t need anyone else.

God Himself came from the lowly place of a manger as Jesus the human baby, and with that vision, He pruned things that kept me from Him and welcomed me into His loving arms. He chose to use each of the people He placed in my life for a reason—the soil preparer, the hand who planted the seed, and the people who watered and weeded. Yet, He provided every moment of sunshine, every drop of water, and every co-laborer in Christ!

He knew how to amend my life to make it ready to receive Him. He is the Master Gardener. He brings all His tools and workers together for His Kingdom’s glory. He causes growth and allows us to bear fruit in every season.