As I walk along the garden in the mornings, the new growth amazes me. How proud I am of these little plants who are growing bigger and stronger every day! They stretch out their arms and reach for the sun; little yellow blossoms and tiny green tomatoes emerge unannounced. I know I had very little to do with this. God is growing these plants, and it is marvelous in my sight!

I do have a role to play as they grow, however. I need to keep the branches resting on the supports. Since they are growing so quickly, I need to check on them often. Ever so gently, I lift the growing branch and rest it in the provided structure, the tomato cage. Metal uprights, braced by layers of rings and firmly planted in the soil, these structures allows the plant to bear the weight of the emerging fruit. Without the structure, the limb would fall to the ground; the fruit would sit in the soil; the tomato would rot.

Some fruit, like winter squash, pumpkins, and watermelon, have thick rinds that protect the yummy goodness from their surroundings, but tomatoes do not. Their thinner skins would be pierced by the mulch and bruised by the ground.  They need structure to lean on, structure to support them.

Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

My circle of Christian friends, my church, my Bible study groups, my family, these are the structures in my life that support my growth. Without them, I have no doubt that I would be lying on the ground, rotting. Most of us do not have thick enough skins to go through life without support, without structure. We need solid, sturdy support that can bear our weight. Our support needs to come from upright people, braced by layers of faith, and firmly planted in God’s Word.

And we need to be that support for others as well. All of us, at one time or another, need each other. Even Moses needed the help of others to fulfill God’s will.

Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amelek prevailed. But Moses’ arms grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and the other on the other side, so his hands were steady. Exodus 17:11-12.

And do you know why these fine fellows knew Moses needed help? Because they were there with him. If I do not go out and check on my tomato plants daily, the branches can become too big to be lifted and placed on the support. Trying to tuck them back inside the cage could break off the limb, losing the fruit. If we are not available to our friends, then we may never know they need support. If we do not alert our friends to our need for help, we may be risking losing our own fruit. We must support each other, and allow others to support us.

It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28.

Sometimes it can be humbling to ask for help; sometimes it can be demanding to provide it. But God calls us to humble ourselves (Luke14:11), and look to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

All in the name of bearing fruit for the Kingdom. If we keep that as our first goal, then whatever it takes to help that fruit grow, to keep that fruit from rotting on the ground, is not humiliating or a burden.

Then we will share in the joy of seeing those yellow blossoms and little green tomatoes ripen into wonderful, delicious fruit.

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23.

Betsy

Cleaning out my garage has reminded me of a time in my life when I really wanted a bigger house. Every time I prayed about it, I could hear the Spirit asking me, “Why?”

Like an insistent toddler, every answer I gave was followed by, “Why?”

I wanted a bigger house because there wasn’t enough room in this one. Why? We had so much stuff. Why? Because we needed all these things. Why? But everyone I know has a bigger house! Why does that matter?

Why? The question kept probing until I had to come to terms with some deeply held and formerly unchallenged attitudes. It forced me to face some very uncomfortable truths about myself. Who was I trying to impress – God or my friends?

Before long, God seemed to pose this question before every endeavor I undertook. Why? I want to join this club. Why? I want to go to this party. Why? I want to volunteer here. Why?

I want my kids to do (fill in the blank!). Why?  

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:1-2

Does this mean I shouldn’t have my name in the event program as a donor? Does this mean I shouldn’t decide to donate more just to be at the “gold level”? Why am I giving to this or that charity? Am I really committed to their work, or do I want to be a part of that crowd of people?

Why. It is the important question. Not why does God act the way He does, but why do I act the way I do? Self-examination can be scary. It forces me to identify what and who I really deem important.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews  4:12

Years ago I was in a bible study on idols and false gods. We talked about what idols look like in today’s world. Although I don’t worship the statue of Athena, I may worship knowledge. Many of us value what we have accomplished in this world, what we have made with our own hands. Have you seen Julie’s new home? It is spectacular! And the new stadium for our football team? Wow!! Very impressive.

Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their own hands, to what their own fingers have made. Isaiah 2:7-8

There is nothing wrong with beautiful homes and state-of-the-art stadiums. There is nothing wrong, and many things that are right, with donating to worthy causes. There is nothing wrong, and many things that are right, about treasuring your family and friends.

The question becomes, do you value these things more than God? Are you honoring God with these things, or honoring yourself? The question becomes, why are you doing what you are doing? Why am I doing what I do?

That is something only you and God can determine. Only you can answer those whys for yourself, as only I can answer them for myself. God and His Spirit will help you. He loves you so intensely. He desires your love in return.

No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24

So ask yourself, why?

Betsy

When I was in High School, SAT scores were of vital importance. I went to “prep” schools, which began preparing me for these tests in 7th grade. I sent my kids to schools that prepared them for the SATs and the ACTs, and offered AP classes. Detractors from this model of schooling rightly argue that the teachers are not offering a full spectrum of education, but are teaching to the test; they are teaching the students how to take the test and teaching only those things which are on the test.

While a valid argument, those tests are used to evaluate students, teachers and schools. We, as a society, have accepted the value system of the tests, so I wanted my kids to ace them. Even if you and your kids choose non-academic routes, there are still tests, and students need to prepare for them.

I recently spoke with a young adult who felt that the questions on the driver’s tests were not really relevant to good driving. Why did she have to learn that? Because she wanted to pass the test.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us. 2 Peter 1:3

Knowing the standards to which we’ll be held; knowing what those with more experience say is necessary for us to know; knowing what is on the test and how to take it – isn’t that extremely helpful?

There are all kinds of things I don’t know. Most of them, I don’t really care about knowing. Those questions aren’t on any test I’m taking. This is probably offensive to those of you who value the information I am disdaining, but there are probably things I know which you don’t know, things that are important to me.

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I Corinthians 2:2

It all depends on what test you are taking. It depends on who has developed the test; what they want you to know; what it takes to pass the test.

Some people want to pass a test of social importance, or wealth, or business success. Some want to pass a test of cultural knowledge, or fandom, or social media success. Whatever test we are trying to pass, my guess is that we are preparing for it. We are looking for teachers who can tell us what is on the test and how to take it, who will teach to the test.

Both I and my kids took SAT practice tests in Middle School. Many of the NFL players were in Pop Warner leagues. Travel teams are test prep for many successful athletes. High School sororities and fraternities prepare kids for social success. These practice tests teach us what is important to know, what we still need to learn, and how to improve.

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

In this season of Advent, this period of preparation for the coming of the Lord, I pray that we all find teachers who will “teach to the test” of faith in God: the Father, Son and Spirit. I pray we are ready for the test when it arrives. I pray God is preparing me and I am preparing myself for what lies ahead, the test I really want to pass.

In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. I Peter 1:6-7

God knows my name; I know He wants me to ace the test of faith. I pray I can make Him proud.

Betsy

p.s. It appears I have failed the technology test! I have just realized that I have not been posting my responses to your comments. I apologize. I have truly appreciated your comments and hope you continue to comment in the future. Now that I know how to post my responses, I will try to improve in this area. Please forgive what must have looked like unresponsiveness in the past. Thank you!

Has the Holy Spirit ever whispered in your ear? He has whispered in mine, reminding me of things, urging me to action, pulling me back. Sometimes when I am in the middle of an internal storm, tossed and tumbled and afraid, He has spoken a word that calmed the seas. If I weren’t a witness, I would find it hard to believe. But I have first-hand knowledge.

What I find amazing is that the Holy Spirit often uses words that were spoken long ago to other people in other circumstances. He takes these words and breathes new life and meaning into them. The Word of the Lord spoken to a paralytic, to Moses, to John or to Amos becomes the Word of the Lord spoken to Betsy, taking on a personal relevance often unconnected with its original intent.

Indeed, the word of God is living and active. Hebrews 4:12

When I was in my thirties, grief and shame overwhelmed me. How could I go to church, knowing the things I had done? Knowing how I had lived my life in my early twenties, wasn’t it hypocritical to go to a Bible study? Who was I kidding! God wouldn’t welcome someone like me. Certainly the other women in the group wouldn’t; perhaps they shouldn’t.

But then God spoke to me. “Arise, pick up your pallet and walk.” Jesus’ words to the paralytic in Mark 2. The Holy Spirit’s words to me. No longer paralyzed by my sin, I could and should and would move forward from that place; I would no longer make that spot of shame my resting spot; I would make my bed elsewhere. I could and did walk.

Over the years, the Holy Spirit has made many more verses come alive for me. A random word takes root and moves me. Last year during the Big Read (Read the Bible in 90 days), one verse jumped off the page as if God were speaking it just to me: .

You have circled around this mountain long enough, now turn. Deuteronomy 2:3

I find it interesting how much motion God’s call to us implies. This may be physical motion, but I think it is more likely that the physical motion represents spiritual and emotional movement. “Follow me,” “Go,” “I send you,” “I am the Way,” “Arise and walk.” Jesus even stops Peter from building a dwelling, a permanent stay-here structure, to honor Him (Matthew 17:2).

Emotionally, moving on, moving at all, can be difficult. We all have those moments which seem to define our lives, that we can’t get past, where we seem to reside. But God is about motion. “Go, leave this place” (Exodus 33:1), “Go into all the world” (Matthew 18:29), “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Jesus, God incarnate, was constantly on the move, with no home to call His own, no place to rest His head (Luke 9:58).

God does call me to stop moving sometimes, when my motion is futile or frantic. Several years back, overwhelmed by fear and grief after my husband’s cancer diagnosis and exhausted by the practical demands of surgeries and chemo and illness, I was near collapse. Then the Holy Spirit repeated to me what He once said to a long forgotten king:

This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf. Do not fear or be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.  2 Chronicles 20:17

So when you are reading scripture and sense what those on the road to Emmaus sensed, that (their) hearts were burning inside (them) … while He was opening the scriptures to (them) (Luke 24:32), know that the Holy Spirit is whispering in your ear. He is the Spirit of God. Jesus is the Word, the living Word. His Word still speaks into our lives – transforming us, healing us, urging us forward, pulling us back, calming the storm.

If I weren’t a witness, I would find it hard to believe. But I have first-hand knowledge.

Betsy

Somewhere in my youth, I got the impression that starting something was almost the same as ending it.

Find Prince Charming and live happily ever after. Have a child and your life is complete. Accept Jesus as your Lord and all will be well. Plant a seed and you will have fruit. Build it and they will come.

Most of us have learned that it rarely works out that way. Starting something is just the first step. A very important first step, but just a step. If you’re ever grown anything, you know this firsthand. Jesus was talking to an agricultural society when He said,

Other seed fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:9

They would have understood that there was a length of time and a lot of activity between falling on good soil and bringing forth grain. Somehow, I expected it to be instantaneous; the beginning being almost the same as the end. I just assumed that accepting Jesus as my Lord would take away my love of sinning, fill me with love for humanity, and overwhelm me with joy and peace. You know what they say about that word “assume.”

Because sanctification is a process. The Church has developed big words to describe the process of Christian growth – justification, sanctification, glorification. Basically, the Church is recognizing that the beginning is not the same as the end, and that there is a growth process between the two. Jesus used much simpler words:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way.” John 14:6

The way implies a path, implies movement and activity, a change in scenery. A path may be curving or straight, rocky or smooth, uphill or level. A path implies a distance between the start and the end – and Jesus is the way to travel on that path. And Jesus is the beginning and end of that path as well, the Alpha and the Omega.

Everything in life, in nature, teaches us about the growth process. A child is not born mature. Seeds transform into plants; caterpillars transform into butterflies; tadpoles grow into frogs. Science teaches us that the earth is constantly changing and the universe is ever expanding. Why would I think the Christian life would be any different?

Nick and I took a class based on the book Sacred Marriage, which asks, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy rather than to make us happy?”  What if God designed life to make us holy rather than happy? America has constitutionally enshrined happiness as a goal, and pursuing it a right. I wonder how different our world would be if Thomas Jefferson had stuck with “property,” or, better yet, inserted the word “holiness?” Would we be pursuing holiness as arduously as we seem to pursue happiness?

What if I were to look at everything in my life as a step along the path to a closer relationship with God? Would I be able to accept pain and grief and frustration as part of the sanctification process?

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Accepting Jesus as Lord, recognizing His gift of forgiveness and reconciliation, is just the first step. It’s the wedding, the birth, the re-birth, the seed. Justification is an incredible gift, but there is still quite a journey ahead. There will be difficult times; we may actually be unhappy sometimes. But Jesus goes ahead of us and beside us and shows us the way.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge if Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

Have a wonder – full journey my friends.

Betsy

Sometimes gardening is ugly. I wish it weren’t. I wish I could just plant the seeds, tend the garden and have abundant fruit. In my memories, Nick and I have many years our gardens grew like that; but I could be choosing to remember the success and not the struggle.

It seems every garden since he passed away has been a struggle for me. This year has been no exception; a situation made even worse by my decision to share it all with anyone who would read along.

Failed crops, heat and drought, squirrels. Inertia, fear, doubt. Sometimes I dread going out to the garden for fear of what I may find.

Today I found yellow blossoms and tiny green tomatoes. Hope. God has not finished with me or my garden just yet.

These blossoms, these green tomatoes, they are a second chance for my garden, a second chance for me.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and sin no more.” John 8:11

“Second” chance might be a little self-righteous on my part. Three hundred and eightieth chance? So many chances, so many failures requiring additional chances, that perhaps I have become complacent. And yet, I want that fruit. The Holy Spirit within me wants to express Himself to the world; He wants me to bear that fruit as well.

And there are new blossoms and new green tomatoes. He is giving me new opportunities. I treasure these new tomatoes, even more than the ones that come six weeks ago. I fuss over them and baby them; check the bird netting, pull the weeds, talk to them.

I know it is God who is growing them. My gardening skills have proven quite inadequate. This is God’s gift to me – a second chance to have tomatoes.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 8:9

And it is only the failures, the thefts of fruit, that teach me how insufficient my own abilities are to produce beautiful fruit. How hard I work at it sometimes. Volunteer here, give there, write notes, send flowers, bring food – all good fruit; but if I am forcing these activities for appearance’s sake or other’s approval, these activities can be exhausting. I do not have the energy sufficient to continue in them, nor do they result in the garden I want to grow. I have to step back and let God grow these tomatoes.

It’s a hard lesson, learning to trust not in my own abilities and lean not on my own understanding. It feels rather unpatriotic. But God doesn’t want us trusting, relying on, or looking for help from anyone or anything but Himself. Not our government, not our IRA, not our allies, not even ourselves. These things are all good (or can be); and God provides structure and resources to enable us to further His kingdom, just as I provide structure and resources to enable my garden to grow.

But only God can grow a tomato. Only God is worthy of trust.

Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we will depend on the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

And God is so gracious and patient with us, giving us second chances many times over. Seventy times seven, probably more.

Maybe that is why I do not remember the struggles of past gardens. Maybe I will not remember the failures in this one. Because there are beautiful blossoms on the plants, and little green tomatoes which fill me with hope and joy.

God has not finished with my garden yet. God has not finished with me yet. God has not finished with you yet.

Betsy

Come, follow me. Luke 18:22

Dealing with weeds is a never ending battle in the garden. Even the straw I covered my weed cloth with is growing grass. I can pull these weeds easily, because their roots are not in the ground, but they still divert water from the plants and, therefore, must go.

There is a time and place for grass, but it is not today in my garden.

Harder to pull are those weeds that are growing tucked up close to the plant, rooted in the soil with the plant. Sometimes, I can’t pull those weeds because doing so would damage the plant.

And what is a weed, really? By definition, a weed is just a plant growing where you don’t want it to grow. There’s nothing inherently bad about the plant; it is just growing where I don’t want it to grow. Some “weeds,” like dandelions, are quite beneficial.

So, while I sometimes think of weeds as “sin,” they are more analogous to distractions. This is the analogy Jesus made.

As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Luke 8:14

There is nothing inherently bad about the cares and riches and pleasures of life, just as there is nothing inherently bad about any plant, until they choke off the production of spiritual fruit in my life. I would even argue that there is a time and place for the cares and riches and pleasures of life, but they need to be secondary to God.

A garden is a space set aside, a weed-free place dedicated to the growth of fruit. My personal devotional time is also a space set aside, a concern free time dedicated to growing in the likeness of Christ.

Because we need to be alert to the cares of the world, we need to tend to our business, and we are called to enjoy the world. But these things are not to take top priority in our lives.

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-32

I am amazed, in this land of plenty, how much of my time and money I dedicate to what I eat and drink and what I wear. Those weeds! I confess I let them grow up in my garden and I let them grow up in my life. I wonder what it would look like if I truly subjugated my earthly desires to God’s righteous ones, if I had a have a weed-free garden?

I have a sense that I will never know, at least not this side of heaven. I just have to go out regularly and weed the garden. I have to examine my garden and my life regularly and look for weeds. What concerns for wealth or image or pleasure are encroaching on my love of God? Where am I putting my wishes above the needs of others? Where am I letting those weeds grow up, and why?

Am I just too lazy to pull them, too comfortable where I am? Is that inertia whispering in my ear that God won’t really care if I let the weeds grow? God cares. He wants to produce beautiful fruit in my life, fruit that I cannot produce on my own. All He asks is that I give Him the time and space to produce it.

So today, I will go out to the garden and pull some weeds. It’s a good day in the garden.

I hope you are enjoying my garden as well. I appreciate your sharing this space with me and hope you invite some friends to join us.

Betsy

He has given us the power to become Children of God. John 1:12