When the Myrtles Begin to Sprout: A Final Post

January 4th, 2012 Comments Off

“You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Isaiah 55:12-13 (NLT)

I’ve had the title of this post in my mind for quite some time. I know I’ve tried at least once before to write it, a year or more ago, but I couldn’t, the timing didn’t feel right. But now I feel free to do so, and I think it is a fitting title for what will most likely be the last post on Thorns and Myrtles. When I started this blog, I was trudging through thorns, but now, Praise God, I believe I am beginning to see the first glimmers of green.

God has been good to me. A year and a half ago it felt as though I was surely in the pits of Hell with no hope, no future, no possibility of change. After that came a period of confusion and uncertainty, but hope started to shine. And now…now everything seems to be warmed by the golden light of joy. Despair has been usurped by hope and expectation. Not everything is perfect, some days are difficult and I am still waiting on God for some things, but I feel confident that they are closer than ever before, and that God will do what He says He will do.

So then, what am I up to now that I am no longer keeping up Thorns and Myrtles? Last spring I became seriously interested in photography, and started a blog in which I posted my pictures. I was blessed with many visits, comments, and suggestions through that blog, and eventually came to the point where I thought I could begin selling prints (I focus on fine art photography: flowers, sea shells, things people might want to hang on their wall). I am enjoying learning about the art form, as well as being inspired by other blogging photographers.

Whether He wants it to be an end in and of itself, or only another stepping stone, I am thankful God had brought photography into my life. It is a wonderful outlet for creativity, and helps me see beauty where I may otherwise have missed it. Starting my little photography “business” has given me something to work at and towards as I continue to wait for God to bring what’s coming. He’s given me little encouragements along the way, and blessed me with super supportive parents (who, by the way, were very kind in getting me a Canon EOS Rebel XS camera for my birthday/Christmas last year), and friends (both online and off).

If you would like to keep up with me from now on, please do consider subscribing to my photography blog, Eden’s Captures. I’ll be blogging there from now on. Or if you would like to see my online photography portfolio, have a look at my site, Eden R. Ellis Photography.

I want to say a big thank you to all of you who have been so kind in visiting and commenting on Thorns and Myrtles. Your kindness and prayers humble me. Some of you have truly become friends, and I know that even if we never meet here on Earth, we’ll be dancing and praising our Savior together in Heaven.

I’d like to say one last thing. The last six months or so have really brought home a truth that before I only knew mentally, but now know from experience: No matter how dark it seems, no matter how deep your Hell, no matter how hopeless, how terrible, how frightening, how stagnant, God will bring you through it. Pilgrim, IT DOES NOT LAST.

May God bless you all with joy and peace,

Eden