Go Toward the Light~

Proverbs 3: 5-8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

I like having plants in my home, but I do not have a green thumb. On the contrary, I am the antithesis of a green thumb, which thesaurus.com says is a brown thumb. That’s funny!

Nevertheless, I have one plant in particular that is a fighter. This green leafy vine has dutifully sat on my windowsill for over a year in a parrot planter and survived my sporadic attention. I water it when I remember, and sometimes I’ll say something nice like, “Thank you for not dying.” Sometimes I am insensitive and will say, “I can’t believe you’re still here!” But I noticed something remarkable the other day that really grabbed my attention. The entire plant started leaning in one direction, so I turned it around to straighten it up, but it started leaning again. I finally figured out that it was sun-starved, and in an effort to revive itself – (because I am no help) – it was reaching toward the light.

Selah~ (Pause and think about that)

Some of us right now need health in our bodies and nourishment in our bones. We need peace in our hearts, and joy in our families. We need to skip all the detours, wrong turns, and dead ends. We need for our path to be straight, which mean it will be smooth and successful. The way to invite that into our lives is by doing what my little plant did: Go toward the Light.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We lean into You right now through prayer. We are the first to admit that You know it all and we don’t. We need Your guidance and wisdom. Shine Your light into our lives. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

 

God Makes it Grow~

TGIF Greetings~

Thirty two years ago--more or less--the man who would become my husband puffed his cheeks out as far as they would go to make fun of a certain someone riding in a car alongside his who was chubby.  On and on this went for about four blocks, and then that certain someone, who was a cop, pulled the car that Jorge was riding in over to side of the road--full blasting lights and all.

The officer, who had a partner with him, separated Jorge from the other two drivers and proceeded to interrogate him.  Jorge vehemently denied that he was making fun of the cop's girth, which was a desperate lie, but was eventually set free.

Wouldn't it have been nice if Jorge would have exercised self-control?

If God is only calling us to self-control and not controlling others, what are we to do when those we love make poor decisions?  Is it a lost cause?

Heavens no!

Stormie Omartian, who has written numerous books on prayer makes a great statement.

"We don't have to stand on the sidelines of life and helplessly watch while our kids make important life decisions.  We get in the game through prayer."

I LOVE THAT!

1 Corinthians 3:6

"I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow."

While we can not control anyone we can plant seeds in their hearts.  We can water those seeds, and then stand back and watch while God brings the beautiful growth.

We plant and water through prayer but also through practical application by setting the example.  Our kids imitate us whether we realize it or not.  If we are critical, they tend to be critical.  But if we are forgiving, they tend to be forgiving too...

Having self-control has a positive impact on those around us.  The best part is that when we view our responsibilities the way God does, it takes the pressure off to want to make sure everyone is doing the right thing all of the time.    

Let's focus on planting and watering and thank God for the growth He promises.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord,  Thank You that You have trusted us with planting and watering.  That, in and of itself, is a mighty responsibility. Give us the strength to do it wisely.  But the harder part of seeing those efforts come to fruition comes from You.  Help us not to self-condemn, self-criticize, or derive our self-worth from the lack of self-control in others.  We have planted and watered today through prayer.  We trust You to do Your part.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~