"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." ---Galations 6:8
******
Gee, Heaven's floating around my mind lately.
Oh, but not for the reason you may suppose, you know, because Life down here's gone all complicated and messy so Jesus-please-beam-me-up-before-this-sorry-stuff-grows-worse.
No, not that one. He planned more for me to do here--I know this.
Instead, it's because I'm planting my garden seeds. Lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and garlic cloves, also (each year I attempt something new. This spring it's garlic).
I wonder while poking each seed into the soil, "Am I planting all the seeds God intended these 62 years of mine? Which ones, which kindnesses, gifts and obediences did I skip? Which rewards in Heaven will I miss out on because I chose apathy and procrastination instead?"
With just one chance to live on Earth, I'm accruing a history I'll live with for all eternity.
Yikes.
So today out there in my garden beds, I'll ask God to show me which other types of seeds He intended me to sow, as in, the life-sharing ones for others. "Give me the whole long list," I'll say. I'll even ask Him to help me release unsurrendered areas like complaining, worrying and wasting time, all which keep me from actively planting.
And then I'll ask Him to daily pour upon me all the boldness, strength and creativity I'll need to complete His specific journey for me. I cannot walk this out alone. I shudder to contemplate that, even.
My visit to Earth is a short one! But eternity? That's forever (literally) and that's how long I'll be living with what I did down here with all He gave me.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ---Mathew 6:19-21
"And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” ---Mark 4:8
******
Lately I'm keeping a running Gratitude List in my mind and that helps center me in a 'perfect peace mode' even while hearing talk about possible upcoming hyper inflation.
Here's what Glen Beck has to say about the hyper inflation he believes is coming. (I'm letting it simply inspire me to check all my prepper lists twice so I can remain calm.) シ
******
I enjoyed reading another of Ralph Moody's cousin's books:
The ol' rhodie bush was especially prolific this year.
******
"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." ---Luke 12:33,34
***
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
So curious about the "more than they appear to be"! ❤️
ReplyDeleteRebecca--ha! That made me smile. I guess I meant that I hope people will 'read between the lines' and also, use my examples to recall ones from their own lives and then apply 'the moral of my story' in whatever way helps them. Also, I write pretty simply about some deeper subjects so I hope others won't toss those lessons aside because of that simplicity. Well anyway, that's a bit what I had in mind when I wrote that sentence as a repeating closing line. Thanks for reading here! Blessings, Debra
ReplyDeleteHi Debra!
ReplyDeletePlanting seeds. I haven't been planting any "real" seeds but I've sure been pulling a LOT of weeds in our new backyard. As I pull them, I've found myself asking God to weed my heart of anything that is coming between Him and I. Resentment, (yes, it's there, although thankfully not a lot of it), Bitterness, Homesickness for Spokane, loneliness for my husband.
I'm asking Him to plant my heart with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control. Gee, I've heard those before somewhere. The transition here hasn't been without hiccups but I've had some very joyful moments with family and friends. I'm thankful for that.
I need to watch Glenn Becks video. Thanks for the link.
Blessings,
Betsy
I just listened to Glenn Beck. Oh my. Although I'm hoping life will go well, I know in my heart that anything could happen. We need to do our best to prepare for whatever might lie ahead. Thinking about heaven is almost like going on vacation. Some days, it feels like we will be trudging through the muck of this life forever, but it is temporary. "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus; life's trials will seem so small, when we see Him. Once glimpse of his dear face, all troubles will erase, so gladly run the race, til we see Christ." I believe!!!
ReplyDeleteBetsy--the weeds you're pulling and seeds you're planting sound just right! Enjoy your gardening, my friend. <3
ReplyDeletePam--yes! I also enjoy thinking about Heaven. For me, it's almost like making a new visit there each time it's in my thoughts. Like I'm returning for another peek of all the beauty and light!
Thanks so much, Ladies! Blessings, Debra