Stunted Growth

As I begin to type this post, I can't help but giggle.  You know those memories in life that upon every recall it issues an instant smile? 
Well, this one will be on my list for sure...

Just this week on an ordinary day, My wonderful, loving, and Oh so cute Husband came home for a quick lunch break.  He had no time to waste and was running from one room to the next trying to get things together, and get back to work.  Before I could blink he was ready to go!  He quickly runs up to me, gives a smooch, and says "Love you Honey!....and by the way...I watered your potted plants." 

Now, hold the phone. First of all, what a guy!  The fact that he took the time in the midst of running around like a crazy man to water my plants shows the kind of Husband he is! When there's something that needs to be done He does it without me ever saying a thing.  That did not go unnoticed, HOWEVER....I was puzzled. 
"Watered my plants?" I say inquisitively. "Which ones?"  to which he Replies, "The ones in the Kitchen, on the windowsill....they looked a little droopy"
  Still confused, I walked towards the kitchen to see which ones he spoke of....Then it HIT me!  "Those potted plants?....THOSE potted plants?"  pointing to the Kitchen.  "Honey, they are F A K E!"   Sure enough, He had watered the fake, never dying, never changing, always the same, but now damp, potted plants. *See pic above

You know what's interesting about those silly things?  No matter how much sunlight, how much water, nor how much loving attention my potted plants get, they will never grow...never change.  The only benefit from that watering was the fact it washed away a bit of dust from it's leaves, and gave us a good laugh!
 
Could that be said of my life?  No growth?  I thought to myself.

With growth comes evidence of change! 
(My dress size can protest to that...ha!)
 

There should be continual changes in my Christian life.

Like what? 

#1 Giving things up that hinder my walk with the Lord.
(Immodest dress, Gossip, wordly Tv programs, time spent unwisely...etc)
"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."  Heb. 12:1b
^"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one
to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; " Colossians 3:8-9

We should constantly be chipping away at our imperfect self! 

 

#2 Adding things to further grow my walk with the Lord. 

(Fasting, more Bible time, Prayer journals, Soulwinning, Godly music, reading good material, Scripture memorazition, etc.)
As Colossians 3 continues to say...

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Eph 6:11,14,16
 ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
  ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
 

There seems to be a common thread in "Giving" and "Adding"...Change!

Have we changed in our walk with the Lord recently? Am I listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and adhering to it...growing?
Am I responding to the rain (trials) God allows me to experience...learning?

May my potted plants teach me a lesson...

A work in progress,

Andrea

Sweet Whispers

Recently Abby and I decided to take a little field trip of sorts to our local library. Abby, who is learning to read, loves when Momma surprises her with these special trips of just her and I.
We normally hop in the van, go on a little lunch date, and then head over to pick out our new reading material. She not only loves to gather new books, but also enjoys playing games on the children's computers they have there. No matter what I do, THIS is the highlight of her library experience!
Abby, trying to be patient, searches through an endless amount of books, collects a satisfactory amount, and heads to checkout, all the while never asking to go to the computers. You can imagine how difficult this must have been for her! I could see her little eyes drifting that way, knowing it was all her mind could think of. What's a Mom to do?!
Her patience paid off, and instead we headed to the computers. She quickly skips to an open seat, and I begin to type in the code for her to begin...But there was a problem...It would NOT work! So, I try it again...and again...nothing! As we switch from computer to computer, trying over and over, I could hear Abby saying something in a whisper. What was it?  To my delight, her little innocent voice was whispering a prayer to Jesus! It went something like:

"Jesus, please help my Momma' fix this computer...pleeease?"

There she was, her little 6yr old self, casting her "Care" upon the Lord.
The Lord nudged my heart at that moment, and brought 1Peter 5:7 to mind.

"Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you."

You see, that week was one of the hardest weeks we had encountered in a long time. I felt a little like "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." I won't expound on all the things that were taking place that week, but let's just say the Devil was working overtime.
Abby's computer problems, although small to some, was not too small to take before the Lord.
I'm happy to say the Lord brought us through that rough week, and allowed us to see Him do miracle after miracle!
What is it your facing? He's there, waiting to take the cares off your shoulders, and put peace in it's place!

Matthew 11:29-31 (KJV)

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."


John 14:27 (KJV)

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as
the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus."

There is nothing like hearing your child whisper to Jesus...truthfully, there's just nothing like our Lord!

In His Care,
Andrea