At All Times~

I am really good at not taking care of my plants.  I have shared before how I have a brown thumb – the antithesis of having a green one.  That’s one of the reasons I have succulents now; they barely require maintenance.  Yesterday, as I was putt-puttering around doing chores, I decided to water some older plants on my terrace, and it was sad to see how dry some of them were.  It took forever for the water to penetrate that tough upper crust of dried up soil, and that’s when my mind came back to Tuesday’s DEVO – especially the part about how some seeds land on hard ground and before they have a chance to blossom are devoured. 

All day I thought about certain seasons in my life where I stayed close to Jesus during struggles and heartache, and then I thought about one particular season where I know God desired to come in and soothe my weary soul, but I wouldn’t let Him.  It’s not so much that I flat out told Him to stay away, but more like me attending church because I was used to it, listening to the great sermons, clapping enthusiastically during the music, and then heading out the door as if nothing happened.  Hardy and nourishing seeds were thrown my way, but I was so discouraged, so sick and tired of being sick and tired, so weary in my faith, so sure that God wouldn’t answer my prayers because certain things had gone on for so long, that I just closed up.  The entrance to my heart was dry and crusty.

I regret all the spiritual nourishment I wasted, and so does my soul.  But I have learned to stop looking back and to continue looking forward to all the joy that awaits. 

Today’s DEVO is a simple reminder to keep your heart open to the Lord.  He desires to help us by providing us with comfort and guidance from scripture.  But it is up to us if we will allow it to take root.  Psalm 62:8 tells us how to do it: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." The key is to trust AT ALL TIMES - even during those times that do not make sense. If we do that, if we pour out our hearts to Him, then our hearts remain open to receive from Him. GLORY!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for being our refuge.  Help us to pour out our hearts to You always so that there is always a fresh flow of blessings in and out.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~