May flowers...

This month, it seems May missed the memo and is bringing more showers than flowers. The floods in Tennessee, the oil spill in the gulf...it's been a pretty bad month in an environmental sense.

But God is still God, and He's still in control!

That is the only hope we have.

Sometimes in our personal life, it seems things are complete chaos. We have floods of tears instead of blooms of laughter. Our daily lives are filled with sticky oil instead of fresh water. But Jesus said He is the living water, and whoever comes to Him will never thirst.

Are you experiencing a storm or peaceful seas today? In your personal life? In your writing life? Maybe your life is sunshine and roses but you're hurting for a friend whose life is incredibly dark and sticky right now. Or maybe you're the one hoping for a ray of light to break the storm clouds, waiting for the endless waters to reside.

I've been on both sides recently, and it's hard. But my hope is in Christ!

As the people in Tennessee are discovering, there is a massive clean up required after every storm. The sun might be out and the waters might be drying up, but there's a damage in the wake. Is your heart hurting from the flood? Do you have wounds that still need to heal? Jesus is there.

Springtime isn't always pleasant. With the beautiful blooms comes threats of tornados. But the seasons always change. I'm hoping this is a season of relief and peace for you. But if it's not, don't wilt inside yourself. Come to the One who controls the waves and instructed the flowers how to grow. He cares for you!

Sometimes, when times are hard, it's good to read and get away, escape a little from our daily trials. This isn't a shameless plug for my publishe'rs novels, but an honest truth. Christian fiction can inspire, encourage, and uplift you. So if you're looking for some encouragement, why not pick up a couple of Love Inspired novels and see if God works in your life in a new way?

And hang in there. Remember, the next season is coming. =)