I love the new beginnings of spring. Earlier this season as I walked in my garden I noticed the deer had nipped off the tulip stalks before they even had a chance to bud. I felt sad and angry. Sad because I have to wait until next spring to see my tulips bloom, and angry because the deer are so destructive in my area. Fields and all kinds of vegetation surround my garden. Yet, the deer consistently come to my garden and especially love to feed on tulips and daylilies before the plants have had time to bud.

As I lamented about the tulips to a fellow gardener, he texted, “you have to spray them with deer repellant as soon as they pop up.” He’s right. Tender new growth is especially appealing to deer, but I had missed the window of opportunity to protect the tulips in my garden.

The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to “keep a close watch on how you live.” This incident with my tulips caused me to ask myself, “Since I wasn’t closely watching what I needed to do in the garden, how closely am I paying attention to my heart and to my life?” Much like how I hadn’t protected my tulips, sometimes I don’t immediately take care of practical matters or my heart, mind, soul, and body.

New Beginnings Are Vulnerable to Attacks

I’ve found that new beginnings, whether in my professional coaching or personal life, are especially vulnerable to attacks from Satan. When I first started ReBUILD years ago, it seemed our team had problems with everything—starting with registration.  As a result, I have learned it is critical to be vigilant and protect any new undertakings with attention and prayer, as the enemy wants to wreak havoc as long as he can.

Even though I failed to safeguard my tulips this spring, the destruction by the deer reminded me not to grow complacent in other areas of my life. And I wrote a note on my 2022 spring calendar to “watch and protect the tulips.”

So here is a reminder for you. Closely watch how you live and guard with prayer any tender new beginnings and ventures to protect them from being thwarted or destroyed.

Warmly,

Georgia

Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:16 NASB).

P.S.  ReBUILD 2 is open for registration and the coaching group begins June 8 if you have completed ReBUILD 1 or have been divorced for several years.  We would love to have you in our group. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaShaffer.com/ReBUILD2.

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