Saturday, May 24, 2014

tender sprouts

Tender sprouts,


A time .....
growing up in farm country, there are a few things I know about spring.  One of these is that there is a right time to plant.  We watched as year after year some would put their crops in the ground to soon, and sure enough, there would be another freeze or flooding waters that ruined precious seed.  
Carefully watching weather patterns, when the time was right, all seasoned farmers disappeared into the fields not to be seen again until planting was done.  They recognized  their short window of opportunity to make the most of their seed.  Then as one would nurture a newborn baby, they toil over their fields tilling, fertilizing, and keeping close eye on that which they have planted.

As I experience life, I wonder how many of us are able to seize our moments of opportunity to plant good seed at correct times and then take care our plantings.  
 These, with out doubt, are jobs God has left us with.

Many today have no idea how much work and sweat go into taking care of that life.  We get so used to being able to go to the grocery store and pick up full grown beautiful produce.

Wake up oh loved one, the time to plant and take care of that which has been planted will come and pass too quickly.  Open your eyes to the opportunity in front of YOU........

Our children, grandchildren, and others children around us are fully depending on us to take them under our wings and guide them into full growth and maturity......

What a wonderful responsibility God has intrusted us with.....and what joy and fellowship when we toil over precious seed.

love Jackie
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?


 






Thursday, May 1, 2014

Mothers Day

                                                                                      






                                                                       Mothers Day


Mothers day, just the mention of it makes us reflect on and reassess our lives.   So what does a real life, good Mother look like.

I believe God's vision for Mothers is to love....  Agape Love.  Life giving love that is born from a heart that gives.  She puts her children and others at a high priority. 
It doesn't mean she's perfect.  If that were the criteria there would be no examples.  Some people were given  Mothers who had or have this kind of love.  A Mother who waits until everyone else has a full plate before she eats, a Mother who does everything she knows to do to bring us a good life. 
As I reflect,  my Mother was far from perfect.....as a matter of fact, I didn't really feel love from her until after my Father died and our first son was born.  But listen, I also realize she gave everything she had. 
She had struggled with knowing love and  feeling loved herself.  When I recognized my Mother was not just a Mother but a human who had tried to do what she could, my love for her as a person grew deep.  She wasn't perfect but she gave what she had!
What that looks like is different for each one of us.  

God gives us examples in scripture of this. Sarah, Naomi, Mary.....

I want my life to be characterized by this.....Mark 14:8.......She hath done what she could! 
Ladies, God's plan for us is not to be this perfect picture of "Mother", but to love.  Love God with all our might and let it pour out over our children, our husband, and anyone else that might come close.  Life giving, inspiring, honest, love.   

Happy Mothers Day,                                Happy Feet....heehee
love Jackie







remain kind

  Sometimes the oppression covering our land is so thick you can almost see it with the human eye.  We can certainly feel it in our hearts a...