Listening Ears

On my drive from work just recently I heard the brief accounts of Mary & Joseph on the radio. The speaker finished by mentioning that both of them had not listened to what the world had to say about them, but quietly obeyed God, and consequently, delivered the infant Savior into the world.  Which in turn, delivered the world from eternal separation from God.  Bottom line: listen to God, not the world. 

It’s hard to be quiet these days. It’s even harder to listen.  To carve out any moments to seek God, read about him, or think on His word is challenging when we have so much vying for our time and attention. Moms, I know you are as harried as I am, but without my morning reading and prayer, I could also say I am grumpy, unstable, and lost.  My spiritual compass needs a daily resetting, and my soul aches for the sweet, wise reminders found in the Bible.

So, how is it, that even in purposeful setting-aside-of-peaceful-morning-time, I can still be so distracted? The temptations of social media and online browsing of a million items can steer me so quickly some days from the true source of Life.

That darn Pinterest can give such a creative boost to my event planning, but simply cannot feed my soul, even with all its shiny ideas that refine every detail of life.  Facebook tends to lure me in for unreasonable amounts of time, until I pull away with a twinge of comparison envy.  Lastly, online shopping can feel like a sport to me these days… adding to a cart in record time, and having the merchandise of the world at my fingertips. Ugh.  I am so easily entrapped by what the world offers.

Jesus speaks on this matter in a short story about a sower:

“People kept coming to Jesus from one town after another; and when a great crowd gathered, Jesus told this parable: “Once there was a man who went out to sow corn. As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it up. Some of it fell on rocky ground, and when the plants sprouted, they dried up because the soil had no moisture. Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up with the plants and choked them. And some seeds fell in good soil; the plants grew and produced corn, 100 grains each.” And Jesus concluded, “Listen, then, if you have ears!””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:4-8‬ 

““This is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God. The seeds that fell along the path stand for those who hear; but the Devil comes and takes the message away from their hearts in order to keep them from believing and being saved. The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who hear the message and receive it gladly. But it does not sink deep into them; they believe only for a while but when the time of testing comes, they fall away. The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear; but the worries and riches and pleasures of this life crowd in and choke them, and their fruit never ripens. The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:11-15‬ ‭

For some of you, this blog entry has been too lengthy. You have a to-do list and a deadline choking out the truth of these words.  Listen carefully: even Jesus mentions our Enemy, the Devil. His scheme is to keep you busy and very productive, away from God’s word. But just like our precious Mary & Joseph, we cannot be so easily swayed, for God’s plan and trajectory for your life and mine is radically different than the world’s.

May these two individuals not remain simply ceramic figurines in a mantle nativity scene. Instead, in this next week, pause and reflect on their humanness, on their listening ears and obedience to God. Let them remind you to pursue more time with God and less with the world. May this Christmas set into motion a renewal of a “good and obedient heart that persists until it bears fruit.”

Thank you, Lord, for Jesus— precious baby destined to save us from ourselves. Please renew all of us who hear your words and receive them with faith. Let us turn our eyes to you, instead of to the distractions of each day. May we bless others because of knowing you! Amen.

No More Houseplants!

 “A branch cannot bear fruit by itself, it can only do so if it remains in the vine. In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” 

The purpose of any vine is to bear fruit! And if we are growing from the vine that is Christ, we should all be bearing similar fruits as we walk with Jesus. Are you a picture of “love, joy, & peace?” When people think of you, do they think of Jesus also?

We know a pumpkin is a pumpkin by some of its basic characteristics… round, orange, segmented with a stem on top… unless you go into Hobby Lobby and they are all mint green this year.  But like a pumpkin, we should know a Christ-follower when we see one. Is she loving? Is her speech pleasing to the ears? Does she show patience to her friends and family? 

If you will, picture a two-story house with green branches bursting out the doors and all the windows. They are spiraling and leafy and full.  The front door is pushed wide open to make way for the vining branches to spill out into the yard. The house cannot contain them anymore and they spiral out any openings they can to the outside.  

In this way, our growing life in Christ is this picture!

 We cannot contain the fruits we are bearing, for Jesus said, “ My Father’s glory is shown by you bearing much fruit, and in this way, you become my disciples.” We are an extension of Him to this world. John 13:35 says, “if you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

To contrast, many Christ-followers are a similar 2-story house. The difference is that their vines might only look like house plants. They remain inside on the window sill, and the front door is tightly shut.  They walk with Jesus privately, but others may not even know it.  Their speech, behavior, and habits do not always point to Christ. There aren’t any overwhelming character traits that show they are connected to the vine. A passerby may notice a silhouette of a vine from one angle, but not enough to make an impression.

In time, I hope you are more like that first house. Others know you love Jesus because of the outpouring of gifts and deeds in your life.  Your positive qualities reflect those of your Maker. All of our journeys are on different paths but I hope you find that as time marches on, the deepening of your walk with God, opens every window and door of your self, to allow a vine of abundant fruits to come bursting out….remember  “A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine.”

So, Remain in Jesus! Move closer to Him! Walk daily, hourly, and momentarily with Him. Be a practitioner of His presence. 

No more house plants! Grow them into vines, so that others know who He is, because of knowing you!

40

 I am 40. 

When my parents were this age, they seemed ancient to me. This one hurts a little more than any other birthday. It signifies the passing of some eras that were sweet & sentimental. 

Nope- I don’t need to rewind to my 20’s… I’m good. But, my 30’s, they were wonderful, and so formative to who I am today.

Something about this aging process has brought out the real in me. Oh yes, I have some strong sentiments that I can boldly say at 40, that I would not have uttered at 30. You ready? It’s going to be a fun list:

Hummus- ew. I just can’t. I used to pretend I could just because it’s healthy… I used to buy it just to let it take residency on the second shelf of my fridge.

Washcloths & underwear, you know what they have in common? They are not worth folding. Drawers and baskets contain them just fine.

Top 40 radio- it’s mostly gone by the wayside… we may try the Kidzbop versions from time to time,  but as for me and my house, we shall not be well-versed in the slang and nuances of twenty-something writers. 

I can live without my phone… It makes me its slave so easily some days. 

The older I have gotten, the better my relationship has gotten with dessert. Amen! The temptation just isn’t there anymore! 

There’s nothing like being with my kids… there’s also nothing like being without them——even if just to drive thru Dunkin Donuts alone 😄.

There is no person who is too scary or intimidating to chat with.

My house is cluttered. I am not Joanna Gaines.

I am a better wife at 40 than ever before. Forgiveness, kindness, even “no commenting” go a LONG way. 

Opinions- this one is a BIGGIE. I am learning that the opinion of others is worth less than what I originally thought. I used to thrive in my youth on the opinions of others. Now? My audience has 1. The One who is sovereign, Creator, and over all. I need no applause or criticism if it’s not found in Him.

There’s my list… a little older and bolder, but I pray wiser by the day!  Thanking God today for all His blessings in my life, which unfold continually. Love to you all 🥰