Grow

So here we go again......linking up with Lisa Jo from Gypsy Mama for 5 Minute Fridays.

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.  Won’t you join us?

READY, SET, GO!

This weeks prompt is GROW~ 

I step from the shower and stand in front of the mirror, drinking in each dimple, sag, freckle, and curve.  Starting from my crooked toe and letting my eyes wander upward.  I want to judge, to condemn, to imagine an outward appearance that is more pleasing.  I am still.  I am staring deeply into my own eyes, and beyond, and then I smile.  I recognize the pooch in belly that carried three beautiful babies, the crows feet that form when I crinkle my eyes while smiling, and the laugh lines that are etched from happiness, and I grow in love for the beauty marks that decorate me.

I look across the muddy footprints on a freshly mopped floor, left by little boys who have just raced through the front door and out the back chasing each other through imaginary adventures.  I want to yell, point out the dirt, but I don't.  I just breathe, and I grow in patience.

I tip toe silently into a hospital room, observing wires and machines, listening to her shallow breaths and cries of pain.  I stand frozen, watching.  I am scared, and angry and part of me wants to walk away, but I don't.  I close my eyes and pray.  I take her hand into mine and I stroke her hair, and I grow in forgiveness.

I pass him on the street, and I look away.  I hold my breath to avoid his stench.  I am afraid of his brokenness, his instability, his life.  Days go by, and our paths cross again.  This time I look up and meet his gaze, I reach out my hand to offer a few dollars.  He smiles and offers a handshake and his name.  I smile and begin to walk away, but not before he says God Bless You, and I grow in acceptance.

I give orders and set rules.  I schedule and plan.  I maintain while I control.  I carve out time and I silence myself.  I breathe in.  I open my heart.  I look up.  I get lost in his word.   I pray.  I grow in Christ.

Bountiful Harvest

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

Who hasn't heard the old saying, "you reap what you sow" or "you get what you give"?  Wow, it is an amazing thing to really pray over this while trying to grasp the enormity of what that verse above means.  

In pondering it's meaning, I offer the following:  It means not that there are nine fruits we are to bear, but that there is one fruit with nine beautiful flavors.  The bounty of our harvest will be determined by our ability to turn our whole selves over to the Holy Spirit allowing him to work in our lives and nourish our soul thereby growing us into the bountiful harvest of his holy creation.

The fruit is given to all believers the moment you accept Jesus as your savior and trust him to provide all that you need.  While some of the gifts above may come naturally to us, we must remember that God can help us to improve on these qualities, if we allow him.  The fruit is not whole unless we care for it, providing an environment where it can grow.  We as believers need to become invested, rooted and planted in the word of God.  We need to care for our whole selves just like you would care for the tree or the vine producing the fruit.  You will not reap a bountiful harvest if you don't care for the roots, water the vine, prune the dead branches, encourage new growth, sow new seeds, offer light rather than dark, and surround it with other trees that are fertile.

I long to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit within myself, to trust in God with the deepest of faith, knowing that the fruit I bear will be multiplied and shared with all those I come into contact with, perhaps helping them to also plant a bountiful harvest.  The fruit I so desire can only be formed through Gods love and his works within me.  I'm striving to make the choice and commitment to do more than just talk the talk, I want to really walk the walk.  I freely hand over my foolish pride, suffering over past hurts and my personal agenda so that I can be healed and become a ripened and pleasing fruit of the Spirit.    

Being fruitful in the Spirit of Christ will impact all those we come in contact with and may actually help decide where someone may spend eternity.

And, although I feel like I could write on this for hours as I sit here still sorting through my thoughts and emotions, I think it is time to stop before I get lost in the words rather than the act.  Maybe I will focus my next blog post on each of the nine flavors and what they mean.  Until next time, I leave you with this.........


Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3

 

Remember

On Fridays around these parts we stop, drop, and write  For fun, for love of the sound of words, for play, for delight, for joy and celebration at the art of communication.
For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.  Won’t you join us?

 

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

REMEMBER

Go...

Remember, the words we choose and the words we use leave imprints that cannot be erased. 

Remember to think before you speak, be impeccable with your word, say what you mean and mean what you say.  Tell the truth, don't be afraid.

How many times have I let my child slip out the door with eyes rolling, shoulder's shrugging, feelings hurt, anger brewing, just wanting to escape me, and my words?

Remember to say what you mean.  Remember that when I am shouting about things not to be forgotten, spilled milk, bickering brothers, bed's unmade, teeth unbrushed, or forgotten lunch boxes, what I am really saying is I LOVE YOU, truly, madly, deeply with every bit of my soul.  I LOVE YOU and I want the best for you.


Remember to say what you mean.  My words can sound like mistrust, and lack of support.  When I am repeating for the hundredth time.........make good choices, call me and check in, don't go to that party, I don't want you out so late.....Remember, please remember, that what I am really saying is I LOVE YOU more than life itself.  I want the best for you always.  I don't want you to have to make my mistakes, and learn the hard way, because it is too much for a young person to endure.  I need you here and I worry about your safety.  I LOVE YOU and I trust you but I don't trust the world to be good enough for you.

Remember to say what you mean.  I grumble and I sigh loudly while banging pots and pans.  I storm around picking up this, and putting away that, in a fury.  I snap and allow my temper to show.  Remember that what I am really saying is I LOVE YOU, and I need you to love me back, help me, I cannot do it all, I am tired, I am stressed, and I need you to be here, present with me, right now.

I need to remember, because I love you and when I cannot just grab you and say what is written on my heart instead of shouting orders, attempting to maintain control, trying so hard to protect you, I am not leaving you with a very good way to remember me.

I am trying to remember........