MANURE AND MAGNOLIAS (Winds of Change)

         Our house is on a ridge, in the middle of a cow pasture, surrounded on three sides by a valley. It’s pretty cool walking out in the morning and seeing the herd of cows with their babies walking through the yard. Or when I come home from work to see them lying under the trees in front of the house, resting and chewing their cud. It’s like naptime for the nursery under the cedar, redbuds, birch and magnolia.

         What I don’t like about it is having to dodge all the big piles of manure in the driveway, where we park the cars, around the barn, and where I play ball with Axel (our four-year-old German Shepherd). And the smell! Yuck! But I found when all I see or smell is manure, look for the magnolia. Let me explain.

         Last night was a cool night with a light breeze so we had the bedroom windows open. While I was lying there trying to sleep, all I could smell was all the manure the cows left behind. It is not a pleasant scent anytime, but especially as you’re trying to fall asleep. I was considering closing my window which is at the front of the house facing the grove of trees and the majority of the manure. I was trying to ignore it as I turned over. Then, all of a sudden the wind must of changed. The relaxing, heavenly scent of the magnolia blossoms just 15 feet outside my window, and I no longer smelled the manure. It got me thinking.

          In a world full of manure, find magnolias.

Are you going through a time of manure in your life right now? Eventually the wind will change, and you will smell the magnolias. You might have to slop through some piles of manure to get to them. If you can’t get to them, just wait a while. The wind WILL change in time, and the manure will seem like nothing. Sometimes we have to put up with the manure for a long time before we get the magnolias. But the Bible says:

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36

“…wealso glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

Is life smelling like manure? Have faith. Magnolias are on the way.