July 23

When we moved, my topiary became damaged, and some of the fill came out. I’ve been procrastinating about repairing it, but I got a couple of new plants that needed a place to grow, so yesterday I decided that it was time. Forgetting about the razor-sharp edges on the bromeliads, I began making repairs without gloves and received a couple of itchy scratches. Once that happened, I put my gloves on the protect myself from getting any more.

Sometimes you have to work for things you love and struggle through the difficulties. In the end, it’s worth every ounce of stress and energy you exert. Don’t give up when life gets tough. Those scratches I got from the bromeliads are gone today, and if I wasn’t writing about it, I would have never remembered receiving them.

There is a reason for everything that happens in your life. We may not always know the reason, but God does. Even something as insignificant as my topiary became a lesson.

I found it interesting that while Paul was jailed in Caesar’s household, Nero’s wife and other staff became saved, according to Josephus. That, my friends, shows the goodness of God. Though it may have been difficult for Paul, God’s purpose for his captivity was achieved, and Cesar’s household became a church. Everything happens for a reason!

All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. Philippians 4:22