The Story of a Plant Named Ivy

(THIS IS ONE OF MY LONGEST POSTS EVER. SORRY! I HAVE NO DOUBT THIS IS GOD'S PLAN FOR MY MORNING! WOW! PRAISING HIM FOR EYES TO SEE!)

There was once a plant named Ivy that made her way to a warm, southern facing kitchen window. She felt overjoyed to be handpicked and purchased. She no longer had to live in a nursery. Her gardener watched over her, watering her as needed. The individual attention made felt special. But over time Ivy's small frame grew and she became unruly. Her vines tangled because they became so long and overgrown. She felt neglected and uncared for. But she continued to dream of something becoming beautiful and offering something of value to her little world.


One day out of blue, the gardener started pulling her tangled branches apart. As much as she wanted to be out of knots, she wasn't sure she liked being treated with such force. Being pulled on stressed her out. She wondered what was better: being left alone or being tangle free.

Then he stuck two metal ends inside her soil. She felt and heard her deep roots tearing inside her pot. Feeling abused, she wondered if all her dreams of becoming beautiful were coming true or if she was going to die a slow, painful death.

The gardener grabbed her spindly vines one at a time and twisted them around that strange, metal thing. She tried screaming, "Leave me alone. You're killing me." But no sound came out. She felt unheard. Mistreated. Violated.



After most of her branches were secure and wrapped around the metal, Ivy saw the gardener reach for scissors and a plastic container. She shook in terror. "Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to deserve this?"

The remaining loose branches were snipped off in a bunch. Ivy bleed and wept.


Ivy didn't do anything to deserve this violence. she glanced over in horror at her master gardener and then quickly turned away. The amputated branches were being cut into shorter pieces. Each branch then dipped into a white chemical. "If only I could read the label!" she thought. "What is that? poison?" But the label was turned away from her. She imagined the worst.

Watching her broken branches being cut and mistreated hurt her heart. Ivy's sorrow became rage.

She never looked back. She abandoned any desire to see her branches again. She mourned them as dead.


Then Ivy saw a pile of dying leaves in front of her.

"Why didn't you clean up after yourself, evil master? Are you trying to rub in your handiwork? Well, I'm not ready to see myself. So forget it. What you've done to me cost me! It hurt! You torn my life apart."

Ivy no longer trusted her gardener. When he watered her, she felt guilty for thinking such bad things.

This weird wire made Ivy feel awkward. She felt lighter with less branches, but yet confined to her new position. Some of her wounds still ached from the pruning. But she had one thing to be thankful for, her owner no longer held shears. She was placed back in her favorite spot. The sunny, garden window.

As Ivy soaked in the warm rays, she began to relax. She was no longer being manhandled. What a relief! And for some strange reason, she let her guard down. She looked outside. In that brief moment, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass. Shocked and amazed, she saw she had shape. She saw her newly formed heart. She cried out as tears of joy fell down her leaves. Ivy felt beautiful.

"Please forgive me for complaining, Master Gardener. You've watched over me all my life. I had no idea You were making my mess beautiful. Please forgive me for doubting Your care. I can't believe my pain caused me to feel so angry, so betrayed and abused. You are not evil. You are amazingly good. I now see Your hands are gentle. Thank you for granting me my dream of one day becoming beautiful. I can't believe that's me. Wow, the pruning process is necessary to bring forth new shape and beauty. Thank you for cutting off my excess branches. Actually, I look better without them. They were in the way, weren't they?"

Wait, Ivy. I have something to show you. I never threw away your broken branches. I used every one of them to create something new.




Meet your branches. Like you, she will start out small. I will let her grow. As she matures, I will care for her. She, too, will look messy and tangled, but there will come a day when I will prune and shape her in another beautiful heart.

"But Master, she's already beautiful. Look at her!"

Ivy, the first day I saw you I thought the same thing about you. Beautiful is your name! That is why I picked you. You caught my eye. Through my pruning process, you finally saw your true beauty as your heart was revealed. It took you a while to believe, didn't it?

"Wow, I hope I can help her to see her true beauty sooner than I did."

You will. Just keep reminding her of what you see in her. Tell her your story. Remind her of Me and what I can do; take a mess and make it beautiful.

Ivy smiled. Her heart overflowed with joy and gratitude. She wanted to hug her new friend. Her once thought dead branches now in a pot of their own, growing and alive! Living independent from her, dependent on the Master Gardener. Amazing!

For the first time in Ivy's life, she really believed she was offering something of value to this world.

Life to others.


*******************************************

Red Envelope Project

(PLEASE PAUSE MY MUSIC ON SIDEBAR)

Address red envelopes to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back or on a note inside, write: "This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception."

Mail them on the weekend of Feb 28-March 1st. What if 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died from abortion, landed in the mailbox at the White House? Maybe it will change the heart of our President. Please pray our joint efforts make a difference.





I thought I had a red envelope in my card box, but I didn't. So I did what thrifty people do. I colored my own. Boy was that messy! I got red marker on my fingers and my kitchen countertops(see pics). I thought about throwing out my hideous envelope art and buying one that "looked" better. After all, I want my White House mail to look good. Who wouldn't?

Nope! I know me, I probably won't go out just to buy a "red" envelope. Not anytime soon anyway.

Let's face it. Abortion is messy. Blood bleeds red. Choosing death over life is ugly. My envelope coloring experience was healing to me. Another reminder of the effects of abortion. So I'm mailing this as is.

I pray you will prayerfully consider sending an envelope. Why not it from your heart? Because of my story, I made mine a little more personal and wrote more! Obviously, I could've written even more.

I think I will add "life is precious" on the front." :)


Related web sites:
Red Envelope Project
Send a Red Envelope
Red Envelopes for Life

(A special thanks to Marsha for helping me see real value in this simple act! I love you, friend..)

I Love My Kids

I'm working on a blog post for later this week about a miracle boy. And since I am thinking about how precious children are, I thought I'd post a couple recent pictures of my kids. Yes, we are probably a little on the wild side in a public place. Sam's Club. They couldn't resist cuddling with these huge stuffed animals. And you know me, I had to capture the moment! We all laughed because they would start to sink when I tried taking their picture. And, I had to help them out of the cardboard bin--fast--before they either disappeared or broke the box. :)

Aren't they precious? They are free spirited like me. Not wanting to cause trouble, just wanting to have 30 seconds of fun!

Just for You!

I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me, Psalm 41:11(NIV).

Feeling discouraged or defeated? Someone out there needs to be reminded today that God is pleased with you! Nothing you do or don't do stops His perfect love!

Her Freedom Show

It is finished! :)

I did my part by sharing my story and perspective on the Her Freedom internet radio show this morning. Now I trust God will do with my story whatever He chooses. I enjoyed being with Janna Kasza. She's sweet--and way cute pregnant! I loved being able to share. It was interesting seeing how radio shows work. I had so much more I wanted to say and cover, but we tried to respond to streamers comments. My prayer is that someone will choose life because of hearing my experience or that someone who's had an abortion will seek healing and find hope!

Thank you for all who prayed. I felt such peace! I know it's because you paused to pray!

I'm really tired now. Think I'll nap!

Fighting for life is hard work!

(My Her Freedom interview will be archived online sometime today. So if you missed it, you can listen whenever you want. Gotta love technology!)

This Is My Heart Posture Today

This song and demonstration of worship made me tear up! My heart often feels like responding to God in this way. I feel like my radio interview is a form of worship! (See post below for link to listen live at 9am mst) I'm in love with my God. May my words be a love offering to Him today!

(PLEASE PAUSE MY MUSIC PLAYER HALF WAY DOWN ON THE RIGHT COLUMN)

May we all praise Him today wherever we are at. He is holy!

Please Tune In Wednesday to Castle Rock Radio

Many of you know I'm passionate about sharing the hope, healing and love of Christ! God has done a mighty work in my life, especially over the past 7 years. He's taken my worst moments and created something good. Amazing! Once again, God opened up a door for me to speak out on behalf of the millions of women who have had abortions.

Abortion is the worst "choice" I've ever made. Thank God, it didn't end there. I've found freedom!

This Wednesday from 9am to 10am mst, I will be on my first internet radio show. Host Janna Kasza and I will be live, talking about the road to recovery from abortion. Obviously if you know anyone who has experienced abortion, I'd love for you to share this information with them. Maybe they will listen in. If not, I'm sure our conversation will be helpful for anyone who is bound by a dark past. Secrets have a way of finding their way to the surface. No one should live with a chronic heartache! God has a better plan. A way to freedom and healing!

Anyway, I'd love your prayers and support during this hour. This topic is not an easy one to talk about. But I've always told God I would speak out should opportunities arise. I am no longer ashamed. I am forgiven and free to live with passion. I want this for every women!

Here's a brief bio about the show:

"The Her Freedom show is a weekly internet radio show heard by women across the world. Each week host, Janna Kasza shares personal stories and invites women to share their stories of hope, healing and freedom. Tune in and join the conversation! You can listen or watch live at Castle Rock Radio.com, or listen anytime to the archives online at Her Freedom."


(PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY THIS TO YOUR BLOG AS A WAY TO SPREAD THE WORD! THANK YOU!)

A Day to Show Love

This is a light post for your entertainment. :) I figure its good to show you the lighter, playful side of me every now and then. Laughter is one of my greatest pleasures! Definitely my favorite sound!


(This is so funny. My DH was kind enough to humor me in this museum so I could capture this picture. I'm not sure what's up with the size of these stained briefs!)


(My two sweet ones playing Guitar Hero in the front of Wal-Mart in the men's department. Gotta love their freedom of expression! No shame here.)

Happy Valentines Day everyone! May those in your life know that they are loved today--and every day. I say "Every day is a day to love" not just Valentines Day!

Love. A word I could write and write about. I live to love! To give it. To receive it. To discover and explore it. I'm so thankful to have a family to love. I'm beyond thankful that Christ first loved me. Because of His love, I am able to love others!

My Valentine word for you: May you feel a deeper sense of God's love today! You are His sweetheart, His precious Valentine. He can't take His eyes off of you! You captivate Him. God wants you to know He loves you more than you could ever know!

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:17-19(NLT)

My Experience at Life Days

Thought I'd pop in today and share my experience at the Universtiy of Denver with you. After all, I asked for prayer this week about this. So thank you for all your prayers.

I have a couple words that describe my volunteer time during Life Days.

Eye opening.

I finally feel like I know in a small way what it's like to be persecuted for Christ. Even though my experience is minimal, this was the first time in my life I've stood up for something(in the public eye) and felt the response of others. We had little conversation with the students, but let's just say no words were needed. Bodies spoke for themselves. Eyes rolled. Heads nodded. Women, especially, chose to walk far from the table. They wouldn't even glance over. We read their emotions.

Men, on the other hand, came up in groups of two or three to look at the pictures of the stages of life. They had interesting conversations about the Dean's letter. I guess the Dean of Students sent an email to warn the law students of the graphic nature of the display. Not! These guys said our pictures were not graphic and that they would be found in any medical book. They didn't get why the Dean made such a hype about this. I can guess why!

We had one hard conversation with a gal and her friend. She was prochoice and a Christian, so she said. She was calm in her answers to us, but stewing no doubt on the inside. Angry we were there. She leans on the Supreme Court with their decision that abortion is a women's right to choose. I'm now praying for her.

Anyway, I feel so thankful for this firsthand experience. To watch the students(our future lawyers and justice) respond to us was painful. I grieve over the fact that they had no interest or even disgust over this issue. This experience was perfect to prepare my heart for Wednesday's radio interview. I'm sad that people aren't open to consider when life begins or talk to about the after effects of abortion. I find comfort knowing God is working even when it doesn't look like it.

I came home feeling again like I was fighting an invisible war. I felt like I spent the day on the battlefield. I teared up some. I felt tired and weary. But I refused to stay there. Instead I put on my praise music loud and praised God for brokenness. I praised Him for giving me the opportunity to stand for truth and precious life. I thanked Him for hours to connect with one of my dearest friends. I praised Him for choosing to send me to battle. I feel so small but I serve a HUGE God. I eventually came to a place of rest again. I accepted the challenge to continue to step forward into this arena for as long and as often as He chooses to use me. I found peace again. Thank you, Lord. Courage to carry on, armed for more bloody war.

I am overwhelmed by God's love and goodness. He always sings His love songs over me. I no longer live to please others or to be liked(my former god), I must stand up and speak up for those who cannot. For the unborn. And for those still bound by shame over their abortion decision.

Freedom is a beautiful thing!

Hmm, teahouse

Got my teahouse pic back, thanks to a sweet friend! But now it's not sized right. Too funny... Now what?

Miracle Prayer Needed

Ian Lyon's Caring Bridge Page
Please pause and say a prayer for Ian Lyons, a 13 year old boy from Colorado Springs. Ian's cancer has spread to his brain and spine. The family is asking for prayer! Thank you, thank you.

Ian has the same type of cancer my brother had as a child. My brother miraculously survived.

Ever Seen Wind Damage?

Wind! A force to reckon with!

Sometimes wind is a welcome relief from summer heat. Sometimes winter winds cut right our bones with a chill and we ache. Yesterday, wind visited my home in a big way. My neighbor called me last night to inform me my roof was waving as she drove up to her home. I laughed. What a friendly roof I have! Waving to the neighbors! This was not new news. I saw the mess firsthand. You see it. I heard the tearing of the shingles from inside. Wicked! Last night, I had many small slivers in my palms from the clean up aftermath.

Wind has a way of bringing change, doesn't it? Wind can be violent in nature but sometimes serves a greater purpose. Wind strengthens and extends the roots of oak trees. They gain strength as they fight to stand upright.

I see something in the picture. Something that applies to you and me.

In order for God to prepare us for something new, the old in us must wear down to a point of breaking. My roof did just that. It took on one too many storms over time. Quarter-size hail. Feet of snow. Extreme heat. Thunder and lightening. Rains. 60 plus mile per hour winds over and over again. My roof couldn't bear it anymore. A section grew weaker and weaker and finally broke under pressure. Piece by piece shingles ripped and flew into my yard, driveway, and even the street.

Are you in a storm? Are winds in your life wearing you down? Do you feel like breaking? If so, maybe there's a good reason. Maybe God wants to bring you something new. He knows you won't ask. God knows you are content with the old. So in order to give you something better, He chooses to blow a strong wind your way. With your heart on His mind.

It's a good thing that the wind came because now we get a new roof. An unexpected blessing after a storm. One I didn't even ask for. And the insurance company pays for it.

What comfort for us. You and I have a better protection plan. We have the greatest insurance adjuster there ever was or will be. The Great God Almighty! God is there in the storm. He inspects the damage. His plan is to give us something better. Something new. And I'm not talking about a new house or roof. I'm talking more on the lines of our heart. More healing. A renewed relationship. Newfound joy. Freedom. Hope. He will repay us for the years the enemy has stolen from us. That's a promise.

So if you are under some extreme winds, God could be working to tear down the old in you. He wants it gone. The new must come. Newness is part of His redemptive plan. But removing the old hurts. It's okay to give up the fight. Let God's winds have there way. He will not fail you. He's got you completely covered. You're insured.

I'm learning from the storms in my life that sometimes God comes through wind. For this, I praise Him.

(please watch this video from Casting Crowns. One of my all time favorite songs! There's freedom and healing in praise.)

Prayer Needed

Would love your prayers for tomorrow, Wednesday. I'm going with a dear friend/mentor to volunteer on a university campus on behalf of pro-life. Life Days. We have no idea what to expect, but we know we are to go and be available. We are praying for opportunity to share our stories and our Hope. We want to inform and love on every person who may stop by.

Also, the following Wednesday, February 18th, I will be interviewed on an internet radio show from 9am to 10am, mountain time. I will be sharing my abortion recovery. If you are interested in listening, please visit Her Freedom. I'd appreciate your prayer covering this day and before and after. This is my first radio interview. I want only His words and His heart! It's not about my abortion as much as it's about God, my Healer. The answer. If you miss the show, it will be archived to listen to later.

What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror?

As a contributing writer for Weused2bu (a ministry for younger women/teens), I wrote an article about self image called "What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror?"

Here's the start:

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? I used to primp for two hours straight. Drove my parents crazy! I felt better about myself after I curled or straightened my hair, put on makeup, and found just the right pair of jeans and t-shirt.

My 120 “mirror-minutes” had nothing to do with hair brushes, mascara, or brand names jeans. It was deeper. I desperately wanted to mask my insecurities.

I didn’t like my blonde eyelashes, fair skin, weight, shoe size, or my small chest. If a friend complimented my eyes, I’d think, Yeah right, you’ve never seen them without mascara. When I compared myself to air-brushed models, movie stars, or even my friends, I never measured up. No amount of makeup, exercise, or dieting transformed me into my ideal image.

Warped View

Have you ever stood in front of one of those funhouse mirrors? You either look like a flamingo—all legs—or you morph into a squatty, box turtle. We laugh at our out-of-proportion self, but the reality is many of us see ourselves this way everyday. And that’s not funny.


(TO FINISH READING, PLEASE VISIT THE TITLE LINK ABOVE)

Thanks!

Changed My Blog Address

Quick note: I dropped the "blogspot" on my blog. I bought a new domain for $10 a year. YEAH! It's now www.teawithtiffany.com. Short and simple. The good news is that all those using my old address will be redirected to this one without even knowing it!

I feel so techy! Not!

Now to get a custom design again. I'm not digging this ordinary template! I miss my tea house.

Make Heart Music

My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music. Psalm 57:7 (NIV)

This piano reminds me of my heart. It's been broken, abused, overplayed, written on, curved into and scarred. But that's okay. The joyful melody inside me reminds strong! I will not stop playing and singing my tune! It's God's song!

Playing Catch Up

I always promised myself I would visit and comment on everyone's blog who visited mine. I even visit some blogging friends who rarely comment or visit mine. Lately I cannot seem to dig my way out. My email box is full of friends/blogs I need to visit. And then, there are friends I haven't visited in months, but I still think about them. Please know I love all of you. I value every comment. I care. I just can't figure out how to do it all--and do it well. I believe blogs are relational by design. If I spent all my time blogging, I would miss out on the relationships God has placed right in front of me. I need face to face contact too. So I am learning to juggle both. It's not easy! I'm ungraceful. I drop balls. Please forgive me.

Any suggestions?

Much thanks to all of you who faithfully come by and say hi! I really appreciate your friendship, prayers and support. This month is my 4 year anniversary of blogging. Wow, blogging has brought some amazing people into my life. I'm so thankful! I am a rich woman!

Mountain Pics

Shout for joy, O heavens;
rejoice, O earth;
burst into song, O mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13(NIV)

Who Will You Serve?

Since many of you commented about my last word, I will be bold and share another one. This one may be harder to hear. Obviously God thinks I'm ready to think about them.

"Who will you serve? Comfort or the Comforter?"

God spoke these words to my heart many days ago. They will not leave. Instead, they continue to bounce around in my brain. What is my true motive for my actions each day? God or myself? Comfort or my Comforter?

Now for confession. I'm a recovering comfort junkie. And as I continue to step away from that lifestyle and enter into a more risky relationship with God, I find greater freedom. Relief. Joy in abundance. Real peace.

But then there are days when I find myself running back to that place of ease. I need a fix--and fast.

Take food for example. Sometimes I find myself searching for chocolate. In my pantry. In my purse. Anywhere. Just gimme something sweet! Why? Well I'm not too sure. Hormones? A good possibility! Some days I know why. I'm trying to feed boredom, loneliness, or the sorrows of this broken world. I give myself full permission to indulge. I'm looking to soothe my soul with chocolate. Not God.

Or how 'bout exercise? It's easy for me to put off taking care of my body. I have tons of excuses. No partner. No time. Too tired. I sweat, not pretty. The truth is working out hurts. It requires sacrifice and commitment. Comfort calls me to the couch. Even when my body begs for movement, I know how to silence its voice. Turn up the TV. Tune out God's reminder to care for the only body I have.

What about relationships? For me, I would rather run from the difficult ones and cling to the ones that feed my desire to feel seen, heard and loved. Comfort again whispers to me, "Take the easy road. It's okay." God calls me to enter into hard relationships with courage, forgiveness and humility. To embrace those He places in my life, to experience real community and even Christ's love.

Here's one of the greatest truth I know. No one, no place, no food, no thing can take the place of my Comforter: GOD. In Him, I truly live life to the full. Joy invades my nothingness. Songs of thanks fill my heart. Experiencing God satisfies my hunger. He feeds me the richest of foods. Delighting in God is my passion. There, I find my true comfort.

Forgive me, Lord, for all the times I run to comfort instead of you!

Today I run to You willingly. Eager to receive Your embrace and hear Your voice. Perfect love sing over me. Nothing or no one else will do!

Okay, now to you, what does this word mean to you, "Who will you serve? Comfort or the Comforter?" What are your comforts that take God's rightful place?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5(NIV)

Blog Help?

I'm needing to update some things on my blog. Does anyone have a good designer to refer me to? I have the old blogger still and it's not the most effective. I can't use all the features available to me. I also need to change my blog address to another one I've already bought. It's simpler. But I am afraid will lose my posts and design.

THANK YOU!

Woke Up With A Word

Sunday I woke up to these words in my head:

"Now is not the time to second guess God. Let's open the gifts He gives us. His presence. Each other's presence."

I know this word is for me because today I'm starting new adventures. I just got home from observing a post-abortion Bible study. It's nine weeks long. The ministry I want to get involved in requires this step before I can lead a group myself. Here I go again!

And then tonight starts a 6 month commitment of mentoring. Our women's ministry just formed a new mentoring opportunity. I said yes! Not sure who the team paired me up with. I find out tonight. I naturally want to share life, not lord over or control. My prayer is that I only speak when God leads, otherwise I want to listen, offer friendship and understanding. Any wisdom I share has to come from the Holy Spirit. I know me; I learn the hard way.

Along with these two new things, I'm trying to accept God's "no" and "wait" in my life. I'm learning I can be pretty demanding and impatient. Like a spoiled child. Lord, help me learn to trust You all the time. Help me not to second guess your plan. Even when life is hard, help me embrace the gifts of today!


I'm not sure who needs to hear this but I feel lead to share. Maybe this word is for you too!

Are you questioning God right now?

Are you opening the gifts He gives you each day?

Is His presence your desire?

What about the people in your life, could they be gifts from God? Even when they are difficult?