Thoughts Behind the 'Tiller

Dan & I have been doing quite a bit of yard-work over the past couple of weeks.  And when I've finished for the day, I am completely worn out! And that's good. My Granny always said that hard work never hurt anybody ... and she worked hard all of her life. 

 

One of the areas we're working on is a little triangular piece between our front sidewalk and house.  Up until the other day, it was a pesky little piece of grass to mow and keep weeded ... until this ol' Granny pulled out her rototiller ...

 

Have you ever used a rototiller?  Or been anywhere within hearing distance of it?  Let me say this -- they are loud ... LOUD!!!!  When I use the 'tiller (yes, me... for some reason I would rather use it & let Dan work on something else... so, when the 'tiller is needed - Granny works it) I cannot hear anything but the 'tiller.  I cannot hear anything at all.  This morning I thought about the 'tiller and this picture that hangs in our sunroom for us to see as we enter our house and as we leave our house. It's our reminder...

Make time for the quiet moments

as God whispers and the world is loud.

 

 



 

And so I envisioned my rototiller as "the world" ... the world is just as loud as the 'tiller.  The world can drown out any message that God whispers to us...

 

When the world shouts that's not fair!

Do you hear the psalmist whisper

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want

 

When the world shouts they don't deserve your forgiveness!

Do you hear Jesus praying

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

 

When the world shouts you're not good enough!

Do you hear God whisper

I began a good work in you and I will complete it

 

When the world shouts but you're entitled to more!

Do you hear God promise

your every need is already supplied

 

When you hear the world shout you'll never be good enough!

Do you hear Paul's encouragement

I am not perfect but I press on for Jesus

 

When the world shouts give up!

Do you hear Jesus quietly welcoming you

Come unto me and I will give you rest

 

When the world shouts you're a nobody!

Do you hear God reflecting

I know the plans I have for you

 

 

 

There's so many "things" the world shouts at us.  And just like my rototiller, the world can drown out any and all other sounds around us.  But ...

 

there's always HOPE in the promises of

God Almighty

 

And just like the many different household projects that Dan & I have going on around our place, we are all a work in progress.  We take one step at a time to move forward into the direction that God leads us. 

 I like the way Lysa TerKeurst phrases it as we all are making "imperfect progress" ...

we may fall into listening to the shouts of the world from time to time -- but the very next decision we make will be the most important...

listening to the quiet voice of God as He whispers to each of us.

 

God bless you all, my friends!

 

 



Granny's One Word

I am so thankful that God never leaves me where I may be at a particular moment in time.  My Granny always said that when she stopped learning then she would be in Heaven --- 

and thankfully I am a Granny who keeps learning as well.  

So, here's where I've been ...

I've mentioned in many posts that we have 3 generations in our house -- with Dan & me as the oldest generation. Two years ago our son-in-law was wounded in action in Afghanistan -- this was just 11 days after his son (our grandson) was born and our granddaughter was 3 1/2 at the time.  So for the past year and a half since he's been home from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, our household has been very busy.  Our grandson Tag is an energetic toddler and his sister Lucy is a creative preschooler who starts Kindergarten this fall.  Between rehabs, doctor's appointments, evaluations, preschool activities, toddler development, church activities ... well, our daughter has her hands full.  

So Dan and I try to help out as best we can.

One thing about parents who then become grandparents ... we don't always --- I should back up here ... some parents/grandparents may "get it" right ... 

so let me use the "first person" here ... I don't always "get it" right. 

Let me explain a little more ... there's a difference between my husband and me.  Dan has always been a "fixer" and a "balancer".  If there's a problem, he wants to come to a solution to fix whatever the situation may be.  And he has always been good at balancing work-life and home-life ... getting household things accomplished, having fun with kids/grandkids, 

finding time for his hobbies such as playing music ... he's a "balancer".

Me on the other hand ... well, Granny really isn't a "fixer"--- I'm more of a "taper" ...

you know, put a little scotch tape on the situation for a temporary fix until it comes apart again. Then I'll deal with it at that point in time.  And I definitely do not balance ... I'm more of a juggler --- toss everything that's going on up in the air and pray I don't drop any of the balls.  I try to take things upon myself ... not for the "control" but rather to take something off the plate of my "house-mates".  If truth be known, I honestly do not enjoy being "in control" ... let someone else take the lead and I will follow 

(well, after I finish everything that I BELIEVE needs done around the house first).

But no matter what our different traits may be, I think I can speak for at least MOST parents when I say this ---  

it's not a control issue we have with our kids' lives. 

I know that my daughter and son-in-law need to walk the path that God has directed for just them.  My desire (especially over these past 2 years) has been more to "shield" them ... although my daughter is grown, married and has children, she's still my daughter.  

I would rather walk through the raging waters than have her even close enough to feel it's strength ...

And this is where God delivered me from over the past several days ...

He is my kids shield.  

All of these situations and challenges that they have and are going through -- 

He is with them.  

He is carrying them.   

He is molding them and shaping them into the people He needs them to be. 

He has His plans for them as well as for Lucy and Tag.  

And He has His plans for Dan and myself.  I've done a lot of listening to Him over the past several weeks.  Sometimes outside influences can detract from what we need to hear straight from the Master. So, as I was listening, the God of the universe gave me one word ... 

I can visualize this one word

I can repeat this one word when I feel overwhelm

I can rest in this one word

And truth is, I've done all the above just within the past several days.

My one word ...

abide

When I visualize this word ...  

I can physically feel my breathing getting calmer and smoother

I can feel my blood pressure leveling

I can feel His peace sauntering through me

Yes, I know that I will have to keep reminding myself of this word daily -- 

and moment by moment.  But you see, this is where

Grace meets imperfection

Comfort overtakes anxiety

Rest reacquaints with assurance

abide

when the overwhelm begins to overtake ...

when anxiety sets up camp within me ...

when uncertainty turns into fear ...

abide

... allows God to do what only He can do

... allows me to rest and step out of His way

... allows peace to overflow with comfort and security

abide

abide

abide

I pray for your week and days ahead, my dear friends ... 

that you will rest in the security and comfort of His grace ... 

that you will always be teachable and learn from the Master Himself ... 

 and that you simply

abide