About Me
Fun Facts about Van Walton
My favorite smell: The way the earth smells after it rains.
My favorite sound: The first notes of a grand symphony.
My favorite way to relax: Sitting anywhere outside - on my front porch, on my deck, or by the lake, early in the morning with my first cup of coffee.
My favorite birthday dessert: a Peach cobbler baked by my husband. He’s my fave chef!
I will not eat: Avocado. They turn my stomach into a volcano that never erupts.
Technology I couldn't live without and why: My laptop - it takes me anywhere I want to go.
One thing that makes me smile: My sons' faces!
Friend Van on FacebookMy Resources
My book, From the Pound to the Palace, is available for $10
from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
My book, Little Halos, is available for $5.99 from Proverbs
31 Ministries.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Links
Thursday, March 26, 2009
WORTH THE WAIT
Years ago – by now I have lost track – I purchased a little plant. I liked its flower and I liked it because it was a vine. You see I had been looking for just the right, and unique, vine to trail around my prayer trellis.
In a dark spot, under my deck I planted the little vine. A bit frustrated because it would take a LONNNNNNNNNNNG time before I would ever see the lushness up- on my deck, I simply decided to forget it. I had planted it. That is all I could do. I trusted that it would grow.
The next year excitement welled up inside me when I noticed that the vine was putting out shoots. It needed a trellis so I stuck one in the dirt and wound the longing-for-a-place-to-grab-hold fresh new vines through the decorator pieces of my newly acquired yard art.
Once again, I left the little vine to do its thing. I would have to wait.
Year after year I spend a few hours each spring coaxing the vine up and up.
A few days ago blooms popped out everywhere!
The vine now winds all around the banister and trellis on my deck. It softens the harsh wood of the deck, making my upstairs outdoor space look cool and enticing. And overhead a shade is beginning to form as the vines stretch themselves overhead creating a protection of sorts- a refuge for me on warm summer days when I want to be outside, but I seek protection from the hot sun.
Years ago, I made an investment in a little plant. Today, because I was willing to wait, because I had a vision for the future, because God has taught me that waiting is necessary and worth while I have this place to go when I want to step away from it all and surround myself with the beauty of joining with God to fashion something – WORTH THE WAIT.
In a dark spot, under my deck I planted the little vine. A bit frustrated because it would take a LONNNNNNNNNNNG time before I would ever see the lushness up- on my deck, I simply decided to forget it. I had planted it. That is all I could do. I trusted that it would grow.
The next year excitement welled up inside me when I noticed that the vine was putting out shoots. It needed a trellis so I stuck one in the dirt and wound the longing-for-a-place-to-grab-hold fresh new vines through the decorator pieces of my newly acquired yard art.
Once again, I left the little vine to do its thing. I would have to wait.Year after year I spend a few hours each spring coaxing the vine up and up.
Waiting>>>
A few days ago blooms popped out everywhere!
The vine now winds all around the banister and trellis on my deck. It softens the harsh wood of the deck, making my upstairs outdoor space look cool and enticing. And overhead a shade is beginning to form as the vines stretch themselves overhead creating a protection of sorts- a refuge for me on warm summer days when I want to be outside, but I seek protection from the hot sun.Years ago, I made an investment in a little plant. Today, because I was willing to wait, because I had a vision for the future, because God has taught me that waiting is necessary and worth while I have this place to go when I want to step away from it all and surround myself with the beauty of joining with God to fashion something – WORTH THE WAIT.
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11 comments:
I loved this post :) What a great way to illustrate why its worth it to wait on God.
I just love spring :)
Blessings to you,
Kate
I spent yesterday working in our garden to repair winter ravishes.
I wore myself out.
Good to know that eventually work and waiting produce blossoms.
I love your post! Beautiful space you have! I've been working on a prayer closet for me; it's a small space that I'm emptying out, but I know when I get done it will be ... worth the wait!
Van,
What a beautiful word picture!!! I wish I had a green thumb. Your story makes me want to step out in faith and do the same!!! I LOVED this post.
Blessings,
Wendy
Wow, that is such a beautiful and peaceful place! I love the message here that the most beautiful things in life are worth the wait.
It looks like a great place to pray, complete with the symbolism of being connected to the vine and finding shelter in Him. He's worth the wait and evidently He thinks we are too. He wants none to perish. B
Hi Van,
Thanks so much for the kind comment you left over at my blog.
I enjoyed reading about your name and how you've grown into it. And your blossoming vine is utterly beautiful...worth the wait!
Thanks for stopping by my blog recently. It led me to your blog, and I have had several occasions to sit down and browse many of the pages and writings you have.
What a blessing!
I just love your special prayer spot! It looks lovely...
In John 15, Jesus identifies the Father as the vinedresser. He prunes it that it might grow strong and bear fruit. The branch's job? Abide in the vine. That's it. Yet it seems to be the one job we tend to neglect!!
Loved your post, Van. We need to adjust our perception of time-- our agenda to His. Point well taken.
Van,
These early spring days make me want to get my hands in the dirt. Your post amped that feeling up! I'm also in a waiting time. Thanks for the reminder that it's worth it to wait.
Love you,
Amy