Spreading Seed

"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."  Luke 8:15 (NIV)

Rocks, lots of rocks.  In an effort to spare our lawn from the effects of snow plow trucks in the winter, many years ago we spread rocks at the edge of our property.  It seemed like a great idea at the time and did work well.  Yet, over the years, the rocks found their way into the lawn and produced a "less than desirable" lawn.  My husband lamented over this for years until one day I found him, shovel in hand, taking the rocks out.

Many of you know my dear husband - this job would not be done half-heartedly, and it would need to be done when HE wanted to get it done - one of the hottest weekends of the summer.  Moving from shovel to bobcat, the project continued.  One weekend it was getting all the rocks out.  The next weekend it was adding soil and seed in - the goal, continuous grass to the road.

As I spread the seed over the newly laid soil, my heart couldn't help but think of the wonderful parables Jesus shared about seed.  This particular one, Luke 8: 1-15, truly helped me to see His word come to life.  Days passed after our project was "complete".  We noticed, however, where we spread seed on soil that wasn't as rich or didn't get the full amount of water, the seed was not germinating.  In the area where soil and water were plentiful, so was the grass.  Newly laid seed that would last through the years.

The seed of God's word is plentiful.  The Bible is rich in words that fill not only our minds, but our hearts and souls.  One small seed, a verse that reaches the depths of our experiences, can not only "germinate" but can last a lifetime.  So is the word of God.  As with my seed in our lawn, sometimes His word falls onto soil that isn't fertile.  My heart may be hardened with life.  My mind may be questioning God.  My soul may be lost.  I have been there.  I would open up and read the Bible and expect it to "do its job" without me participating at all.  No good soil - no water.  

It was during those dark times, when I was at the end of my rope, I said to God, "I need you - I need your word - I need your grace."  What seemed like magic (but we know was the Holy Spirit), I would then open my Bible and the words were amazingly clear.  They filled my soul.  They filled my mind.  Most importantly, they filled my heart.  The seed of God's word continued to grow and spread, as it does with so many today.  

My friend, let me encourage you.  Take stock of your soil - is it rich to receive the seed of God's word?  Are you watering that seed with worship, prayer, and thanksgiving?  Life is hard, experiences happen.  Yet, if our soil is always ready to take in God's word, your soul will be strengthened and your faith will spread - just like grass seed!

Dearest Jesus, help us to have rich soil - in our hearts and souls.  May we seed that soil with your word and spread it to those around us.  In your gracious name I pray.  Amen!

Interviewing

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:10 (NIV)

This past week I had the pleasure of conducting interviews for my company.  We are reviewing people that will help to make our company successful.  Even as the person who is doing the interview, I prepare quite a bit for these times.  

Then I think about the people that are in front of me.  They have also prepared.  Typically, they have done research on the company.  With all of the social media available, I'm certain they also reviewed opportunities to research us on LinkedIn and Glassdoor.  Yet, I know the most preparation must have come in anticipating what types of questions we would ask and how they would answer them.  As with any interview, this can be the most daunting part for an interviewee.  Part of my job is to make them comfortable enough to reveal character traits and experiences.

As the candidates entered the room, I watched as each sat a certain way, took out items in order to take notes, and we began the process.  Ultimately, we are trying to determine the strengths that they may bring to the position as well as the gaps that they may have.  The best candidate will be asked to join our organization - in that job offer they will have a future with a great company and hope for themselves and their families.

As I was flying home thinking of my interviews that day, my thoughts turned to myself.  I am fortunate to not have to interview for a job right now, but if I did, who would I interview with?  Then I thought, "I would love to have a full time job for God"!  That drew my thoughts, to a scenario - what if I had an interview with God?  What would be my strengths and gaps?  Would I measure up to be able to join the organization?

The flurry of thinking started.  I have had some experiences in my life that have been able to show God that I want to be part of His kingdom.  I am hoping that my responses to people and situations have shown my faith.  Yet, certainly not always.  As I looked at the gaps that I have to enter His kingdom, that list started to grow.  I am not always a faithful prayer servant.  I try, but I know I'm not as good as I should be.  I am not always the perfect giver.  Again, I try, but I know there are times when I find excuses when I should just move forward in doing.  I don't always choose the right words or the right thoughts.  I am certainly not always patient.  Yes, my gaps were much greater than my strengths when thinking about entering God's organization.

Glory be to God that I don't have to have all the gaps filled to "get the job"!!  Jesus took all my sins, all my gaps, all my doubts, and all my fears and said to me "Your hope and your future is in me, Susan!"  As in our verse for today, I know that his plans will bring me into the best job anyone can have, being a faithful servant for God.  I may not have all the qualifications and I certainly don't have all the behaviors necessary to succeed with God.  The best part is God doesn't care.  God will take me just as I am to be in His kingdom.  I have the greatest job in the world, here and in eternity!!

Looking for a new job can be stressful.  Sometimes we aren't sure if we have all the qualifications for success.  Know that in God's world, we have nothing to stress about.  God's plans for us are so great, our hope and future is secure in Him.  Thanks be to God for so richly blessing us with the best job - being part of his kingdom.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings you have provided to be a part of your kingdom.  Although we know we aren't nearly as qualified as we should be, you don't care.  All you want is our simple faith and love.  You will work with the rest!  Thank you, God, for taking me in and giving me a path for peace.  In your name I pray.  Amen.

Family Reunion

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."  John 14:3 (NIV)

When our family gets back together, it is a precious time.  Our children, now young adults, all have lives of their own - therefore, these times are few and far between.  A couple of weeks ago, our son returned from deployment and we were expecting him to return to New Hampshire.  This meant that our family would rally around and all come together to celebrate.  We prepared by cooking, cleaning and scheduling to ensure everyone was available.  We all waited anxiously for his truck to come into the driveway.  I have to admit, I didn't even wait for him to come into the house - I ran out of the house to greet him.  Almost felt like the father in the parable of the prodigal son!  

The weekend has been filled with the children (now young adults) speaking of childhood memories and all the fun that they have had over the past years.  It warmed this mama's heart to hear them speak of such great times. When our family reunites, it is as if we haven't skipped a beat.  I'm sure many of you experience the same feelings.  Everyone "fits right in" to hugs, smiles, joking, laughing and a room of love.  I long for those moments, and cherish as the family settles into a few hours of familiarity.  There is a great deal of joy and love that encompasses those times.   All the preparation resulted in happy times and more memories made to hold us over until the next time we are together.

It reminded me of the joy we will all feel when we reunite with our Heavenly Father.  Just as I prepared for our son's arrival, Jesus is preparing for us to arrive as well.  As shared in our verse for today, he is preparing a place for us.  He is looking as forward to our reunion with him as we do when we reunion with family.  To be honest, I'm looking forward to that day as well.  The wonderful song by Mercy Me, "I Can Only Imagine", states it all so perfectly.  Although I'm not sure what will come, with simple faith I am confident that it will be glorious.  

How can we compare our family reunions to the reunion we will have with Christ?  Because we are His family - we are His children who will be returning home to Him.  When we share our memories of the goodness and blessings He has provided to us it is just like the memories we share between our family members.  Talking to Jesus and letting Him know how much we are grateful for those memories is part of our constant connection to Him.  

As we reunite with families here on earth, whether it is with members far away or close by, cherish each of those times.  Reflect on the goodness and focus on the love.  I encourage you as well, to spend time with Jesus, reflecting on the goodness He provides and talking about the day we will be able to spend time face to face in paradise!!

"Heavenly Father, thank you for family reunions.  We appreciate the opportunities you give us to gather around the table and speak of times of love.  Let us also look forward to the family reunion we will have with you in paradise.  We can only imagine how wonderful that day will be.  In your name we pray.  Amen!"

Staying Silent

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15

Silence certainly has its wonderful benefits.  Sometimes, I revel in the silence that is around me, whether it is the beauty of the outdoors, the evening hours, or even when my husband and I are just quiet together.  With the busyness of the world silence can seem like a cherished moment.

Yet, silence can also lead to other outcomes.  A few weeks ago, I found myself silent in understanding.  There was a situation that I didn't completely understand.  Instead of speaking up and asking questions, I stayed silent and made assumptions.  The silence and assumptions actually led to a great deal of frustration.  The more I assumed, the frustration increased.  I found myself moving from frustration to anger.  I finally spoke up (and it wasn't in a kind and gentle manner).  What resulted were a series of not-so-kind words that led to me admitting that I shouldn't have stayed silent - I should have asked questions for understanding and the assumptions would have been buried.  If I had asked questions, I would have learned the truth and wouldn't have been stagnant with frustration.

This scenario can raise its head again when we have questions on our faith.  Having a clear understanding of everything in the Good Book is nearly impossible.  There are Biblical scholars who still don't have all the answers.  Many times, we may feel as if asking faith-based questions is a questioning of our faith, that somehow if we ask these questions our faith is jeopardized.  May I share a resounding "NO"!  By not asking questions about the word of God, we are stagnant.  Diving deep into the Bible brings up a series of questions and wonder.  That isn't a bad thing - that is a WONDERFUL thing!  Staying silent on those questions can lead to not only a stagnant faith but a strong level of assumption.  As in my example, that assumption can lead to frustration.

So where do you go to have your questions answered?  Seek out others in Christ.  Speak to a pastor, talk with fellow Christians, join a Bible Study, read more about God's word.  By spending time sharing and talking, we move from assumptions and frustration to truth and growth.  Having a simple faith in our Dear Lord doesn't mean that we won't have questions.  Ask your questions.  Seek to understand.  Live in the glory that God's greatness expands to our personal growth.  When you have the answers, share them with others.  As our verse for today states, share with others where you find your hope, your joy.  Let them know about your faith.  Don't stay silent, but speak with words God gives you to share your faith and live in His Word.

"Dearest Lord, there are many times that staying silent can be good.  Yet, when it comes to questions about you, God, direct us to those here on earth who can provide us the answers.  Let us have a healthy inquiry to grow in your truth.  May we not be stagnant and frustrated, may we gain knowledge and growth.  In your name we pray.  Amen!"