I was in my doctor’s office this week, and a new nurse-practitioner came in. I greeted her and asked about her new career. She made the most wonderful statement: “Being here has reignited me—I love this!” My doctor looked at me and said, “That is a great word.”
Reignite—meaning to ignite again. I thought about that on the way home and pondered many things. As we see on the news often, forest fires will reignite after firemen think they are out. There is a small ember somewhere underneath the rubble that keeps burning and eventually reignites into a full fire.
Our souls are a lot like that. For various reasons, our zeal for things in our life is dampened and many times extinguished. What causes this? I think discouragement, disappointment, failed attempts, hurt, or just the mundane ritual of something that gets very old. When we have been disappointed by something, it can take away our spirit. We are wounded, hurt, and sometimes damaged.
I have experienced that very thing this week. I have shared with you my love of gardening. We planted 50 roses in the spring, and I have lived in hopes of looking out and seeing this complete garden covered in blooms. This past week, we were trimming this horrible red leaf thing off some of them and realized something was wrong. Upon doing a little research, I discovered a disgusting rose disease called “witches broom” had completely infiltrated our garden. There is no cure, and the only remedy is to remove the plants from the garden and discard. As we pulled up some of my favorite roses, my heart was saddened. My fire for gardening has been dampened heavily. I need to be reignited, and maybe in the spring, something will reignite my love of gardening.
While losing roses is not a tragedy, we do deal with serious things that can take away our spirit—health issues, financial stress, loss of ones we love, and many more. Yet, there is always the hope of being reignited!
How do we reignite our inner soul again? Often, time just needs to pass. Then there will be a moment when we feel that inner ember is still there. And just like that—the ember will spark a fire. Something or someone in our life triggers that little spark, and we begin to be excited about things again. This beautiful nurse was reignited by the people she was working with and the patients with whom she served every day. She was surrounded by people that made a difference in her life.
When we hit a roadblock or are discouraged, do we surround ourselves with the people that bring a spark to our life? Every word we say can change a life. It can be the spark that changes another or reignites their soul to begin again. I have challenged myself to look for opportunities to say something encouraging to the people I encounter. Even the smallest of comments may make a difference, so let’s do it together!
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Just what I needed to hear at a moment when disappointments have dampened my flame. Thanks so much! I will give it time and look for a new spark.
Hang in there…..time will heal a lot~~
Dearest Phyllis,
To add to what all the ladies comments are I can only say “You All” have just warmed by heart! The Lord works in mysterious ways I have always believed.
Today is gonna be a good day……thinking of you all and enjoying your inspiration!
California Carmel, with a smile!
Hang in there…..time will heal a lot~~
What a gift this blog is today! Who among us has not experienced similar disappointments?
While living in Vermont a neighbor and I had planted our vegetable garden and watched it grow beautifully–tomatoes, peas, squash, onions, and green beans. We’d usually walk out to it each morning and celebrate. Then one morning my friend arrived earlier than I–to find the two rows of beans completely gone! A groundhog had had a feast–like a thief in the night. Two bare rows with spindly spikes remained. We were discouraged . . . but within a few hours we planted again. And by summer’s end, we had more beans than we could eat, so we shared our abundance.
Often that’s what happens. Abundance comes even in the darkness–and as we give generously, we experience LIFE!
Thank you, Phyllis and other readers, for sharing hearts, dreams, insights, wisdom, and hope!
Such a thought provoking word! The message in your blog was exactly what I needed today and I thank you.
Sandy Boswell
Thank you so much for the words of encouragement somedays we need that to give us that push to go on.I am so sorry for your rose loss I know how much that must have hurt because i have roses too and love flowers very much they bring such beauty in this world to me.
Thanks for that encouraging word.
So sorry to hear about your roses. Every plant I bring into my apartment gets eaten by spider mites despite every non-toxic way I tried. I even waited several years thinking they would disappear but as soon as I brought a new plant home it was devoured yet again. I gave up on plants at home but was lucky enough to gain a space in a community garden. I have an herb plot and my basil, sage, parsley, oregano, and thyme are doing so well this year. I was even luckier in that someone else left the garden and I was granted his space so I can try other plants. It has reignited my joy to work in the soil and enjoy the fruits of my labor there.
Dear Phyllis – somehow you always seem to write the right words at the right time. Your message brought me some comfort at a very difficult time of my life as I lost someone who meant the world to me this past week. I have always liked the saying “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world”. Every day is a gift from God and no matter how little or great our losses are, we must always believe there is a reason and meaning for everything, everyone, and our precious lives. You are a blessing and an inspiration to all of us who follow you.
What beautiful words that needed to be shared……I try my best each day, and some days I fail–but I never give up !!! I think that’s the key….keep “Igniting” those fires that burn down deep……Thank you
I don’t always read your blog when it lands in my “inbox”, but I am so glad that I was able to take the time to read it today. Thank you and many blessings to you and yours.
What beautiful and inspiring words, Phyllis! Early this morning as I was reading this and having my coffee on the porch, the sun was coming up in a glorious sunrise! Your words with that sunrise gave me goosebumps! Thank you so much!!!
I really needed this this morning. Great message at the perfect time. Thank you. Now on to my new day…
Such a timely message in this day of so many wrongs. We must be reminded (on occasion) that in the midst of all our disappointments, there is hope/life on the other side. Wait for it, it’s coming.
Dear Phyllis,
I planted a small rose garden this past spring and I have done everything possible to protect them from the deer. So far so good but each morning I check them to be sure they are okay. My heart is saddened that you lost all of your roses.
Your words are most thought-provoking. They remind me of the Scripture in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.”
Thank you
That is a beautiful ‘word’ from the Word that always brings life. Thank you so much for sharing it with us…
Some people wouldn’t understand but those of us who garden know that they weren’t just roses but we a promise of what could be. My grandmother grew beautiful sterling silver roses. When she passed my mother sold her house to an old man who loved her roses. The fact that he wasn’t interested in ripping up her garden to put in a parking spot made all the difference to my mom. Some things you can only understand if you garden. Sorry for your loss.
A timely post for me because I heard a sermon I needed to hear this week. When little things get to us and we tense up or react negatively I am to say “I will not allow that to take my power away”. Each morning before praying for others I take the sword of the spirit, the Bible, and read about the Holy Spirit filling us with his power and strength. So now when someone or something tries to get under my skin, I am reminded to not let it take away my power.
I am so sad that you lost 500 rose bushes to disease. Wouldn’t they have been magnificent in full bloom? I wonder if the Grumpy Gardner knows a way to keep that disease from attacking roses.
Whoops, that’s 50 rose bushes.
Phyllis,
I would love to have you as a dear friend. Actually, I think each lady on your blog site probably feels the same. You have such a kind, sweet spirit.
I can’t replace the beautiful rose bushes, but I can send you a bouquet of sweet smelling friendship.
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you Phyllis!
I needed this today in my life!
Thank you for todays inspiration…I am sure it came at the right time for many of us who needed to hear or read it. For me it was one of the nicest and encouraging message I have had in awhile.. I shall be very conscience of the thought and the word daily.
I also know how heartbroken it is to loose your beloved plants and all the hard work it was to put them in the ground. But when one has a passion about something we work hard to rebuild and tend it.
As life seems to get us down way more than it should, we all go thru these times. I sometimes let little , unimportant things get me down and then I get mad at myself. Last night a neighbor and friend of many years died unexpectedly. The sadness has seemed more than I can bear but this loss certainly has reignited me to appreciate and enjoy everyday of my life and to love my family and friends a little more than normal. While I would not have wanted to be reignited in this very sad way, it certainly has caused me, today, to rethink everything in my life and to be reminded that everyday is a gift from God and we need to treasure everything good in our lives and look for the good in things that sometimes seem unlovable. We are only promised today, and to learn to live it well is a gift thru heartbreak.
So sorry to hear about your rose garden setback. Disappointing to say the least. Thank you for sharing such a great new word on your perspective on it is very moving. May there be a silver lining to share with us soon.
Phyllis, I love this word! Having my little people around me has certainly reignited my joy and wonder in very simple things this week as we have “camp Oma” (your camp Gigi)- the beauty of a butterfly, the miracle of the sun rising every day, and everything my little grandchildren marvel at.
I too sometimes get in a rut (mostly when I am doing too many things at one time) or have my spirit dampened slightly, the thing that always works for me is to ask God to re-joy my soul. ☺️ That, and a healthy dose of sticky little hands and kisses. I’m so sorry about your roses, I’ve never heard of that nasty disease either. Ugh. I am quite certain, though, that all you will have to do is to look at the many sumptuous pages of your Victoria filled with roses to have your desire for a rose garden reignited!
I’m sorry for the loss of your roses and your hope for a beautiful garden. I hope that with the greening of spring your passion be reignited.
I am going through some things with a loved one that are very draining, and you are right that just the smallest word or gesture can be so encouraging. I know that I will persevere because I have a deep faith that will see me through this, and I will be reignited with a new zest for life.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts because they have a special meaning to me at this time.
My new job as an independent journalist certainly has reignited me! Since last August (one year, now) I’ve been writing a weekly garden culture and history blog on WordPress.com. Sometimes I become frustrated when the web misbehaves, but mostly I am enjoying myself.
But, oh! I grieve with you over the loss of those 50 rose bushes. Simply awful. More importantly, I am pondering the rest of your message in today’s post. The Holy Spirit will reignite our souls when we turn to God and allow Him to heal our disappointments and frustrations.
Thank you, Phyllis.
~ Jo Shafer