Wednesday, August 13, 2014

My dearest God,

You use the common and ordinary to teach us uncommon, extraordinary lessons.  The biblical scripture story of the sower and the seed came to me as I prepared a patch of ground in the front yard of our home.

Recently a mason created new steps and a walkway at the front of our nearly two-hundred-year-old house. In doing so, he had to lift grassy areas that surrounded the walkway.  He brought in dirt and poured it into the areas that abutted the bricks. That meant I had to clear the dirt of debris in order to plant grass seed.  I sifted through taking out rocks, weeds, and other undesirables.Then I had to smooth it out making sure there were no dips where water could pool and kill grass.  Finally, I sowed the seed and watered it in.  In order for it to grow, I will need to keep it watered until it takes root.

I can remember times in my own life when I sowed the good seeds of your love and mercy but failed to clear my soul of debris before planting.  Later, when I wanted to use the fruits of my labor I could not because I still had too many weeds of judgement, resentment, and bitterness rooted deep within me. I was conflicted and empty of the good seed so I reverted back to the undesirables which affected my mood, attitude, emotions, and behavior.  It took a good long time before I realized I had not done the necessary work inside my soul so I was left bereft at a time when I needed everything I had in order to face the difficult issues before me.

I have to acknowledge sometimes I am a slow learner.  I often rely on my own resources and neglect to tap into the greatest resources of faith.  Eventually I wind up at your feet whining.  What happens next is the uncommon, extraordinary lesson of faith.  You listen and offer grace.  In that moment I confess my resistance and thank you for unwarranted loving care.  You teach me to dig deep allowing you to use the tools of faith to get underneath the depths of the undesirables where your light shines. You help me clear away the debris so your good seeds can take deep root in me where good soil, living water, and radiant light wait to make way for good fruit to grow.

Thank you,
Grace-Filled God,
for the gifts
of your spirit.
Thank you
for the ordinary
that can
teach us
valuable lessons
of faith.
Restore in me
my desire
to learn
from you
so I too
can provide
good fruit
for those
around me.
Thank you,
Good Lord,
for the wonders
of faith.

Love, Andrea