Tag: Devotional time

Too Many Good Things

The weather has turned warm and the sweet peas are up! Bursting through the ground; welcomed by sunshine and rain. I can’t contain my smile! Especially after last year when so few seeds actually germinated.

So, I planted a whole bunch of seeds this year, far more than recommended, hoping at least a few of them would grow.

And God, with His unique sense of humor, had them all sprout.

It is too many good things.

There is not adequate space between the plants for them to grow well. They may grow tall, but there is not enough space for them to spread out their fruit-bearing branches. When I was in advertising, we called the space between things “white space.” The white space is almost as important as the wording; the white space allows us to read the wording and clues us in to its interpretation.

The plants need this white space, this space between, as well: space for the sunlight to reach the leaves; space for the branches to reach out and grow; space for the roots to establish themselves in the soil.

At daybreak Jesus departed and went to a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him.” Luke 4:42

So I am going to have to thin my sweet pea plants. It’s a difficult thing to do, because I want all of them. But I know that some of them will have to go if I want any of them to be successful; if I leave them all, none of them will grow well.

I am facing a similar dilemma in my life right now. I had a busy life pre-Covid. During Covid, I developed some new patterns and activities which are dear to me. Now all the old activities are back as well, and I have new grand twins.

It is too many good things.

There is not adequate space for me to do all these things well. I need some “white space,” I need some space between.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but in the face of too much to do, I have been observing the Jewish Sabbath for Lent. I am imposing some white space on my life. I have found that it helps me focus on what’s important; it allows me to pay attention to God and what He wants me to do.

Observing a 24 hour “no work zone” has also encouraged me to work more efficiently during the other six days. I find I am wasting less time on the other days. It is forcing me to be intentional about how I am spending my time.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

So don’t ask me about the latest political wranglings; I am not filling my space with that. I am leaving uncluttered space for the plants I want to grow: space for the sunlight to reach the leaves; space for the branches to reach out and grow; space for the roots to establish themselves in the soil.

Because God is growing something in my life and in yours. We just have to make room for it to grow, even if it means getting rid of some good things.

Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more that food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:23

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Create some space, my friend. If you are not sure which plants to thin, which good thing to eliminate, ask God for guidance. And take time to listen for His answer.

Happy Easter!

Betsy

Everything I need

I have the space, the tiller, the fertilizer and the fencing. I have the weed barrier, the seeds, and the plant food. I have the water source and the hose. I have cover to protect the young plants and supports to help the growing ones. Now all I need is to actually start the garden.

While cleaning out the garage, I found bags of fertilizer and plant food. I had not realized that Nick has used either of these. It’s no wonder the garden grew better under his care! Now I have some to add to my arsenal.

I have everything I need to grow a garden which will bear wonderful fruit. I just need to do it.

Because until I actually commit to doing it, all these tools aren’t worth much. They are like a rubber band lying on the counter. Unrealized potential.

I check my calendar. How much time do I need to set aside? Do I have to set aside a large block of time, or can I get the garden ready in stages? Till and add fertilizer in step one. Prepare and put down weed barrier in step two. Fence and border in step three. Plant the seeds and water in step four. Cleaning out the garage has taught me that this plan works better for me, but the seeds should be planted by early March, so I need to get moving!

Am I that intentional about growing my relationship with Jesus?

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3

God has given me this day, this time, His Spirit, His Word. God has given me an active church, Christian friends, Bible studies and wise counselors. I trust the Holy Spirit to protect and support my growth. Now all I have to do is actually start developing that relationship.

I have been reading Robert J. Morgan’s book on Biblical Meditation. There’s all kinds of wonderful practices to deepen my relationship with God that I have never used. They seemed to have worked well for him. Now I can add them to my arsenal.

I have everything I need to grow in my relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I just need to do it.

Because until I actually commit to doing it, all these tools aren’t worth much. They are like a rubber band lying on the counter. Unrealized potential.

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. James 1:22

What does this look like? Quiet time set aside intentionally for prayer may be step one. A commitment to studying the Bible daily may be step two. A good devotional book which challenges and inspires me may be step three. Time to listen, ponder, absorb and consider God’s role in my life may be step four. But I am already in my 60’s, so I better get moving!

Those seeds need to be put in the ground; God’s word needs to be written in my heart. Until that is done, I cannot expect to bear the fruit I so desperately want.

Do you want Love? Joy? Peace? Patience? Would you like to respond to difficulties with kindness and gentleness? Would you like to be known for your generosity, faithfulness, and self-control? I would. I know these things rarely spring into being in my life. This is fruit that has to be grown. (Galatians 5:22)

This is fruit that God grows in my life through the Holy Spirit as I abide more and more with Jesus. (John 15)

It’s time to get that garden growing.

Thank you for reading along as I begin year two in the Victory Garden. Thank you for subscribing or following. Thank you for sharing this with your friends. I look forward to good fruit.

Betsy

A place to grow

Now, where to plant those seeds. I need a dedicated garden space.

Because, the garden is the place in my yard where I encourage plants to grow. Elsewhere in my yard, I mow down the grass, cut back the hedges, and spray weed killer. In my garden, I encourage and protect growth, because I know what is growing there and I want it. I want it for myself, and I want to share it with others.

As a percentage of my yard, my garden space is pretty small, maybe 1% of total acreage. But the
garden is very important, because it is there that the wanted growth takes place. It is there that the important work occurs, the production of that much wanted fruit. Because my garden is so
important, I have designated a specific spot for it. I have set aside a portion of my yard for it. Instead of trying to fit my sugar snaps, tomatoes and cucumbers in among the other things in my yard, I am dedicating certain space specifically for their growth.

You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last … for I have chosen you out of the world. John 15:16,18

Do you want the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you want a closer relationship with God?
Set aside a space, designate a time, dedicate a portion of your day to that growth. 1% is only about 15 minutes of a day, but what a difference it can make! Because it is there that the wanted growth takes place. It is there that the important work occurs.

Sometimes setting aside a space for your garden is easy. When Nick and I moved into our first
home, the yard had established garden beds that had grassed over. The presence of these empty beds motivated us to start a garden. 

In our current home, we faced a large yard, and we had to decide where our garden would go. We had two creeks to avoid, and flood plain issues to consider. We had boats on trailers that we needed to pull across the yard. There were the large trees, boundary lines, a utility pole, all immovable objects. We had swing set apparatus that needed its own space. But if I wanted that fruit, I needed to set aside a place to nurture the growth of it.

Over time, we settled the garden in its current spot, which still works well. I don’t use all the
garden space every year, and I rearrange the crops occasionally, but I know where in my yard I am cultivating my sugar snaps.

When committing to growing my relationship with God, as with committing to the garden, I faced twenty-four hours and had to decide when to set my devotional time. I had two
children, and scheduling issues to consider. I had a house and possessions which demanded upkeep. There were the needs of my children, my husband, his father, my family, all immovable objects. There were my hobbies and interests which needed their own space. But if I wanted that fruit, I needed to set aside a time to nurture the growth of it.

Over time, I have settled my devotional time in my day. It has changed as my life circumstances
have changed. I don’t use all the time every day, and I change up my activities within it, but I know when in my day I am cultivating my relationship with God.  

In the morning, while it was still very dark, He (Jesus) got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed. Mark 1:35

Last year, our ministers challenged the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, Nashville,
to read the entire Bible in 90 days, the Big Read. The suggested reading path would take 30 to 45 minutes a day, out of 24 hours; the equivalent of an episode of Ozark or Cupcake Wars. Could I spare the time?

As for me and my household, we will worship the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

What are the things that crowd your day, your yard? What immovable objects do you need to work around? Are you caring for your kids? Your parents? Your spouse? Yourself? Is your work schedule demanding? Do you want that fruit? Are you ready to stop being so busy and get to the truly important work God has planned for you? 

Because those sugar snaps will not grow while they are still in the packet on my table. And they won’t grow scattered across the ground and dropped here and there among everything else. To be what God designed them to be, to be their better selves, they need dedicated space; they need a garden. 

I encourage you to set aside 15 minutes today. Open your Bible as you would open a seed packet. Open yourself to what God can grow in your life.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22 

Thank you for reading this and joining me on this journey, Next week, we till!

Betsy

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, that will not rot. Matthew 6:20