Monday, February 22, 2010

~Among Thorns~

Greetings and Holykisses,

This past week, I read through Mark, and I'm now in Luke. Yay! This journey continues!

Yesterday at church, the Pastor asked us to turn to Luke 12:22-26.* As he read outloud, Myguy sorta nudged me and raised his eyebrows when this verse was spoken:
"Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?"
-- This verse is like the one I'd just shared here at the shed, and had even glued on the bluebird tag for the give away. It's shared on the post before this one; only it was from
Matthew 6:26 "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
~ Don't you love when God has scriptures repeated to you over n over... ? (He who has ears to hear let him hear.)

As my own study continued this morning; I found myself into Luke 8. Right back to the sower of the seeds! I remember when I was finished reading in Matthew about the sower in chapter 13... I didn't want to leave. It was as if ... there was something I was supposed to get, but the light bulb hadn't flickered just yet. Today, it did. During church, when we were considering the ravens and read how God takes care of them, the Word reminded us how much "more" we are than they. Reading that, for me is like God saying, what my Momma used to say to me when I'd tell her I love her, ...and what I likewise say to my kids:
"I love you More!"

And if God takes care of the birds of the air, and cares for us even MORE... then why am I still a worrywart? He provides.
Sure, we still have problems sometimes, and still face giants and mountains in life. But He brings us "through" them, and to the other side.

During our morning Service we were asked what what worries us?
I can fill a whole page with worries. My mind can be like static cling -to worries. Especially at night when I first lay down and try to get to sleep? My head can think-up so many what if's. A head full of "static- cling imaginations" that are fresh out of dryer sheets, and no can of "static guard" within reach. The more I toss and turn, the more worries invade and shock me. It can be very frustrating.

Then this morning in Luke 8, my dots connected. The seeds are the word of God. Those by the wayside are the hearers. The devil shows up and tries to take the Word from peoples hearts not wanting people to believe or be saved.

Those on the rocky soil, hear joyfully but because they're not rooted believe only for awhile, and soon as temptation enters, they just fall away.

Then there's the Word that falls into the thorns. You hear it, but get choked with those cares, (for me -worries), riches and pleasures,.. bringing no fruit to perfection. When I examined myself I wanted to think the Seed falls on good, fertile soil. But ... not always' that's for sure!



My garden's had it's share of thorns. The thistles grow quickly and the flowerheads burst open and actually reseed themselves. "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." Luke 8:14 I need to weed out my garden. (again) I need to pull up those worries, and cares that I keep allowing to reseed themselves. Need to get rid of those thorns;... those worries and cares.


The last verse to the parable is this:
"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it and bring forth good fruit with patience." Romans 8:15


There's that beautiful word again.......
Patience.

Not long before my AngelMother went to heaven I asked her to tell me something she's learned that took her, her whole life to learn. She said, "Patience. Learn Patience."

I went home that night and journaled everything that happened and was said, as I'd gotten in habit of doing. I didn't know that day, thee importance of that word, nor how anointed it would soon become to me. But I found out in the days that followed, and they're still coming to pass.

I've shared this before, but the first Mother's day without her, was about three months after she died. I had to stop at Dollar General for something and as I walked in, I saw the rack of Mother's day cards. I felt hit in the face with my grief. I fought tears so hard, and lost that battle; so I hurried to pick up what I was there for. Walking down the isle, my eyes stopped on the stepping stone above. Her word Patience, and a dragonfly of all things. Many of you know, she'd told me that whenever I see a dragonfly to know she loves me and is all around me. I couldn't leave the store without that stone. If I remember right, it was the only one left. I think it's amazing today... that it's a "stepping" stone. Because the parable of the sower was a stepping stone in the word of God today.

Today, the word Patience came back to me, and leaped out of Romans 8 into my heart.
There's a reason the parable of the sower is all over me. Today, it's helping me tend my garden.

May the seed that falls not be trodden, nor devoured by the fowls of the air. May it not land on the rock and wither, lacking moisture. May it not fall among thorns and become choked out, but fall on good soil. May the Word be heard, and kept... and bring forth fruit... with patience!

Smoochy holykisses,
He loves you MORE,
L

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I could read you everyday! Another wonderful post Lea and I love the new header, what program did you use this time? Hugs!!

Paula said...

WOnderful post Lea.
What a beautiful flower that can bloom, when God's word is rooted in his love that is in our hearts. How awesome is our God for sharing his truths multiple times for those like "me" who need all the help I can get! LOL! But the Lord is so faithful to us. PTL!
Did I ever share with you, my dragon fly story?
Love the new blog look. Visually your blog is really really awesome. It's your way of keeping our eyes on the prize (God) that keeps me coming back, and your dear precious heart :-)

Aloha Paula

Kristi said...

What an awesome post, my Lieb! You know that I call patience the "p" word. It is not one of my faves and I think that us why God keeps blessing me with times to put the "p" word to practice.... And I often fail miserably.

I loved your referrence to planting seeds and gardening. Ah, gardening is so much more than gardening, isn't it? It is a great metaphor for life, both physically and spiritually. May the Lord bless your socks off today!

ozjane said...

Do you ever have a night journal?
I write down just the events of the day....no great detail, and if there is something on my mind might write a prayer for that.......it helps to deal with what is on your mind.
Wish it helped me to sleep.....sometimes it does if I try and sneak off to sleep without doing it.

From the Heart said...

Good post. I have a lot of patience - depending on what I'm doing - somethings I don't.

That's a sweet story about your Mother and the stepping stone.
Blessings,
AliceE.

Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

Beautiful Post Lea ...

I finished one of the journals and I listed it in our Etsy shop. There's only 5 pictures of it ..as that's all they allow ..but you can get the gest of what the inside is like.

Your giveaway is ever so sweet !!! And of course The Book is just awesome ..whoever wins is going to be so very blessed .. Should we start giving testimonials for it ..LOL !!!

Hugs ..and Holy Smooches ...

Sara

Sunnyside Up said...

AMAZING...and exactly what I am going through! Thanks for the heartfelt post! I absolutely LOVE the story about your mom and the stepping stone! Beautiful! Knew there was some significance with dragonflys for you but now I know :)...and I just love it!

Sooo....dragonfly kisses from Heaven for you today Lea!

Be blessed,
Char