Friday, April 30, 2010

Sowing and Reaping


This time of year we do a lot of thinking about our garden.  What do we want to plant?  How many rows or plants of each vegetable?  Is there anything we planted last year that we aren't going to plant this year?  In case you can't tell, we really put a lot of thought into our garden.  We love eating fresh vegetables and we do a lot of canning.  We are always trying a new variety of tomato, or a new kind of corn (yes, for you city folks, there are lots of different varieties of vegetable seeds and plants).  The reason we plant is to harvest.  It wouldn't be much fun just to plant and not expect that in a couple of months all of our hard work will be worth it when we're canning green beans and freezing corn. 

We've had a garden for years and one thing I can tell you is this -- whatever you plant is what comes up.  Now that may sound silly but it is a basic fact.  You plant corn, you pick ears of corn in a few months.  You plant a tomato plant, you get LOTS of red, juicy tomatoes just perfect for our homemade salsa.  And yes, I'll share the recipe with you this summer.  Never have we planted a vegetable and had another vegetable "mysteriously" grow in its place.

And as sure as I am that what I plant will grow in my garden, I am just as confident that what I plant spiritually grows too.  Galatians 6:7 tells us "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  Ladies we need to be very careful what we sow because I trust that every word in the Bible is true.  I can't pick and choose what I believe.  And when it says "for WHATSOEVER a man soweth, that shall he also REAP" that is what it means.

I don't like brussel sprouts.  Sorry to all you brussel sprout fans out there, but I don't like 'em, so I don't plant 'em.  Same thing with peas.  Yuck.  So you know what, we don't plant peas.  But am I as careful with the garden of my life as I am with the garden in my backyard??  Many times we sow unkind words without even thinking.  We sow bitterness and anger.  We sow selfishness.  And we sow all these things without even realizing that everything we sow will come back to us.

We need to treat everyone we come into contact with like we want to be treated.  We need to speak to others how we want to be spoken to.  Many times I've snapped at my kids when I wasn't even upset with them.  I had just had a bad day and without thinking I was harsh with them.  That is a seed sown.  And that seed will grow and return to me. 

And sowing isn't just in our speech, but in our actions.  Are we generous with our time where others are concerned?  Do we help others when they need it, or are we too busy in "our world?"  Are we giving, and I don't mean just in tithing, although I do believe God expects us to tithe our money?  Do we hoard the fruits of our labors, or do we share?  Just one example is canning.  I can tell you from vast experience that canning is hard work.  We work in the garden for months, then we pick all the vegetables, clean then, can them.  There's a lot of effort in one jar of green beans, or salsa, or jam.  So do I generously share what I've canned with others, or do I think to myself "that's MINE, get your own?"

Today, I am examining my heart for many things.  I am asking God to show me where I need some work.  How I can be more of a blessing to others.  God has been so good to me.  And I don't think He blesses me so that I can keep it to myself.  He blesses me so that I can be a blessing to everyone that He has brought into my life.  My family, my friends, my co-workers -- everyone.  My prayer is to be more like Him.  And just like I am looking forward to my vegetable gardening giving me a bountiful harvest, I want the garden of my life to be even better.  And not because I want good things in my life, but because I want to be obedient to my Father.  I want Him to be proud of me and my words and my actions.  Lord, help me to be more like You.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Miller Family Racing Giveaway!

Head on over to Miller Family Racing.   (http://millerracingfamily.blogspot.com/).  They are having an AWESOME giveway!  Come on . . . somebody's gonna win!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Prayers Appreciated



It has been awhile since I have mentioned my sweet Grandma Flo.  It has been 6 weeks since we were told by the doctors that she had cancer, and worse, that she had just a few days to live.  I saw her on Saturday and I must say she does seem to be getting weaker.  Just getting from her bed to the chair in her "TV" room tires her.  She doesn't have much of an appetite either, but she is still eating.  As I have said before, my Grandma belongs to Jesus, and when He takes her home, I know that I will see her again and I am so thankful for that.  Her passing will be hard, but bearable because I know it will be temporary.  Revelation promises us no more death, no tears.  Hallelujah!

Ladies my prayer request today isn't specifically for my Grandma, although prayers for her are welcomed.  My prayer request is for my family.  I wish I could tell you that since I belong to Jesus everything in my life is wonderful.  That because I am a Christian I don't have troubles.  I would love to tell you that, but those of you who know Him, know that isn't true.  Even Jesus said in John 16:33, "In the world you will have troubles, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!"  What He does promise is that we can pray, and that He hears.  That He perfects that which concerns us.  Well, I have a situation that concerns me greatly.

About two weeks ago my mother, two of her sisters, and one of her brothers (my mom is one of 8 kids) took my grandmother to the nursing home.  Twenty-four/seven care is exhausting and they just couldn't do it anymore.  Of course, nobody wants to go to the nursing home, but Grandma understood that it was time and went willingly.  One of my mom's sisters did not agree with taking her to the nursing home (that's putting it MILDLY) and, several hours later, went to the nursing home and got her and took her back home (to my Grandma's home).  I won't go into the horrible details.  But, needless to say, you can imagine the uproar this has caused. 

Please pray for God to move in this situation.  I am at a loss as to how to pray, or what to pray for.  Much has been said that can't be taken back.  Feelings have been hurt.  Can I just say that it is awful!  But I know that NOTHING is too difficult for God.  Nothing is too big for Him.  I appreciate each one of you who lifts my family in prayer.  We desperately need His hand to move.

I have put off sharing this with you.  You never think that your family will have to deal with things like this and its certainly not something you want to tell others.  But if you don't know, then you can't pray, and this situation needs to be bathed in prayer.  My mother, as you can imagine, is heartbroken and I would specifically ask that you lift her up (her name is Donna) and pray for wisdom and strength and encouragement.

I know that God is in control.  And I trust Him.  I know nothing surprises Him, and this situation is no different.  I know that together our prayers move the hand of God, and His hand changes everything.  I anxiously await the victory.  Thank you.

Simple Pleasures

Wow!  It has just been beautiful in my neck of the woods these last few days.  The grass is growing (I've mowed twice), the frogs are hollering, and the temperature has been above normal.  Hey, come on, we deserve it.  Missouri had a really, really long, cold, wet winter! 

So last night we decided it was time to build a fire, roast some hot dogs and have s'mores!  So I sent BP and the kids to build a fire.  That's one of their favorite things, setting things on fire.  I'll have to expand more on that at another time! 




So, after the fire died down we had an old fashioned weenie roast!  Actually they're not old fashioned.  We have them a lot at our house!  We sat outside enjoying the stars and the beautiful evening.  And I realized just how lucky I am, to enjoy the life I live.  It was quiet outside.  No neighbors.  The stars were so bright, it looked as if I could have touched them.  My husband and my children were there with me.  I am a very blessed wife and mother.  Thank you Lord for the simple pleasures in life. 

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Election Results

It is official, I have been elected to our local School Board!  I actually received the most votes of any candidate.  Many thanks to my family and friends for encouraging me and supporting me.  And a great big thank you to all my blogging friends for praying over the election.  I will be sworn in on April 19th and will appreciate your continued prayers for guidance and wisdom.  Thank you, and thank God for the Godly women he has brought into my life through my blog.  I appreciate each one of you!

A Giveaway at Off The Beaten Path

Click here http://www.offthebeatenpathministries.com/2010/04/100th-post-give-away.html to enter an awesome giveaway AND make a new blogging friend! 

Monday, April 5, 2010

Prayers for Election Day

Tuesday, April 6th, is election day.  As I mentioned several weeks ago, I am running for School Board here in my hometown.  I would ask for your prayers.  Please do not pray for me to win.  Pray for God's will.  If He wants me on the School Board, then I want to be.  And if He doesn't, then I don't want to be either.  Please, if there is an election where you live, VOTE!  The right to vote is something many people take for granted in America.  So, please, exercise your right and get out and vote!  I will let you know the election results as soon as I find something out.  Thank you so much for praying!