He is like a  tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Psalm 1:3 NIV

You have probably seen these flowers by the side of the road. Most people don't pay much attention to them, because they grow wild wherever they can take root. These were the kind of flowers my mother loved. It was simple to please her, and she didn't say she liked them because we were children.

As we became adults her preference was still for the wildflowers. I don't care much for them. I wasn't raised in the country like my mother. Her fondest memories were of visiting her Aunt on her farm and her Grandmother at her cabin by Seneca Lake. She grew up in the small town of Elmira in western New York, which borders on Pennsylvania.

When she finished college and came to NYC, the cab drivers would ask her where she was from, and she would reply "Elmira". The next question they would ask was" What your number?" They weren't asking for her phone but her prison number since a Penituntary was located there. This wasn't a good start for this shy, quiet country girl!

I wonder if wild flowers, like trees, root in a place where they will  recieve the life giving water to grow? I think it is safe to assume they do. Mom received the nuturing necessary to grow from her small family and friends far from the hustle and speed of Long Island.

She always spoke about going home to Elmira, but never did. As she grew older no one she knew lived there anymore. The place she remembered as home was no longer the same. What her longed for was in heaven. A safe refuge, and a place to feel accepted,  and loved would come before anyone was ready.

One day while my sister visited, our Mom hit her head as she fell. She insisted she was fine, but I called for an ambulance anyway. At 83 years old, we weren't going to take any chances. While she was in emergency she lapsed into a coma from a brain bleed, and died three days later.

Tragic, sad and life changing for us since my Mom lived with us at the time but I was so happy for her! She was in the place where she always wanted to be. No more striving to please others or trying to get that stupid walker to take her where she wanted.

I miss her so much, but I'm comforted by the truth that she is at peace, and loved by her heavenly Father much more than we can ever love her. Not a worry or care, and no more medicine! I will see her again, and it won't seem to her to be a long wait. She will turn around and I will look into her face, and she will say, "Oh You came with me! What a nice surprise." There is no time there, she won't know its been years. Oh, the goodness of God!

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Matthew 8:27 NIV

Why are Jesus' disciples in awe of Jesus at this moment? He told the winds and waves to stop and they obeyed. I suppose they are getting to know him. He has healed the sick by this time, so maybe they thought He was some kind of healer?

Whatever they thought, it wasn't big enough to encompass  commanding the wind and the waves. I guess there were others  who healed, but no one who could command the basic elements of nature. No; this man Jesus was not like the others.

Why had the disciples chosen to follow Him in the first place? There was something compeling about Him, and each of them wouldn't say no to His offer to follow. Why did they continue to follow after the months gave way to years?

The hunger within them grew for more of God, and when Jeus was about to be the most popular, He died. Lots of lessons learned, but without Him they fell apart. What sense can be made of death?

Every other life would have been over, but not Jesus. This was the best part EVER! This is when commanding the wind and waves becomes commonplace. Rising from the dead was not expected, when though Jesus told them it would happen. 

He tries to communicate a lot of things to me but I don't usually get His message the first time or second time either. It took an incredible miracle to express the love of God, and bring Him back to life. When all else seems to be gone, God creates a miracle! The giver of life had to die, in order to make us new!

The one who made the stupendous mountains and swirling oceans had to empty Himself completely in death to release us of the power of sin. He laid down everything for you. He gave His last breath for me too.

Yet we don't listen closely to His heart beat all the time. The best we can do is listen closely more often.We can lay down our all for Him. WE can die to our own plans. Sometimes He will resurrect them. To God Be the Glory!

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
And you know the way to where I am going." No, we don't know, Lord, Thomas said. We have no
idea where you are going so how can we know the way? "  John 14:3-5 NLT

"Silly Thomas! Why does he ask such questions?" I can imagine the other disciples thinking such 

things." When is he going to learn?" If the disciples of Jesus were truthful about the matter they had

 no idea what Jesus was saying either.

Why do I think this? We see in the book of Acts that the disciples dispursed after Jesus died. They 

seemingly had no direction and didn't know what would happen. I don't think we should look at 

Thomas as the doubtful one, but as the truthful one. 


Thomas was looking at the nature of things.His spiritual understanding may have needed an upgrade, 

but at least he didn't pretend he knew what was going on. I think it was rather smart of him to ask 

questions. When I was in school the teachers would say, "there aren't any dumb questions." Asking 

questions is how we learn.

I have to admit, I am afraid to ask a question most of the time. I don't want to seem uninformed, or

dumb. Do we really judge each other like this as adults? I think we do sometimes, or at least I have.

In the verses that follow, we hear Jesus explaining what he meant to Thomas, and the others.

Jesus told him, "I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen Him!" John 14: 6-7

If Thomas hadn't been honest, we may never have heard these truths that Jesus spoke to him. Jesus 

beautifully describes who He is, and who the Father is. Jesus plainly tells Thomas and the others that 

God himself is standing before them.  This isn't something  that's easy to comprehend, because the 

reality of it can pass over our finite minds. 

Jesus knew what was on the hearts of the disciples as he calls them out on thoughts more than once. 

This way of speaking honestly and openly was probably something new to them. Men, generally 

have less to say about emotions. These were rugged men, fishermen who worked outside in all kinds 

weather, no matter what was happening in their family life. If they didn't work, no one ate. 

I don't blame them for not understanding everything Jesus said. It has taken most of us years to 

grasp the simple truths of the Gospel. Seeking after Jesus, running towards Him is what makes the 

difference. Blessings and love.