Plow up those Fields

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 KJV

“Fallow comes from the old English word for plowing, and refers to the practice of leaving fields unplowed in rotation––when a field lies fallow, the soil regains nutrients that are sucked up by over-planting.”  Vocabulary.com

One temptation I face as I grow older is to abandon some of the fields in my life. There are some fields that have so long been unproductive that it scarcely seems worth the effort to continue to hope for any sort of fruitful harvest. But God has an entirely different idea. God says that today is the exact perfect time to stop moping around the house, get the plow out of the barn and break up my fallow ground.

Do you have some fallow fields in your life? There is nothing wrong with that but God has not created us to lie fallow forever. Maybe today your fallow time is coming to an end. Maybe it is time to hitch up the plow to the horse and get to work. There is still something that God has called for us to do. Do not be discouraged. Nothing will grow better crops than a field that has had time to rest for a while.  God has planned for and promised a harvest season ahead if only we plow up our fallow fields and then plant them today!

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Wild Flowers or Weeds?

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:30 KJV

In the days before hay bales were 1,000 pound rolls we used to pile them on the hay wagon and stack them in the barn. My favorite job was to sit on the top of them bales as we the truck slowly chugged across the fields to the barn. The slight breeze felt deliciously cool against my face and the aroma of the freshly cut grass smelled like perfume. I remember looking down and seeing wildflowers of every imaginable shape and color. They were nestled in among the remnants of the hay showing off their beauty. That scene remains in my heart reminding me of God’s artistry in the simplest things. All around us He leaves behind reflections of His grace.

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Imagine now that this God, who has taken such care in each detail of a wild flower, has also made you and I. It may seem that the world passes us by, but instead of seeing flowers, they see us only as weeds. Weeds grow where they are not wanted and where no one has planted them. Maybe we ourselves pass by some people without noticing a single thing of beauty. But all around the world God’s wildflowers are on display to remind us that He is involved in every life and that every life has value.

Flowers are not concerned that their time here is short, nor are they worried what others think. In the brief hours that God has given them they simply give all that they have. They are at peace knowing that the hand that crafted them will care for them. If days come in your life when everything seems dark, remember that as He cares for wildflowers. He will certainly care for you!

Home Coming

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.                 Matthew 11:28 ESV

Fed up with the rules at home, I decided one day to go to live with my grandparents. “I want to live with Gammy and Cap-Cap!” I stated defiantly to Mom.

“Okay, I’ll help you pack.” she said. “How are you going to get there?”

“I’m going to walk up Route 6!” I said confidently. Technically this was possible but I did not know that 300 miles separated me from their home in Connecticut. Mom just smiled and helped me close my suitcase. After my stepdad got home from work they helped me put my things in the car and drove to the edge of town then pointed me in the right direction.

I bravely got out of the car and started walking away but each time a car sped by I flinched. “See you later!” Mom said waving as they turned and walked out of sight. But my world seemed suddenly so big and frightening that I started to cry. At that moment my parents magically appeared, scooped me up in their arms and took me home!

I bravely got out of the car and started walking away but each time a car sped by I flinched. “See you later!” Mom said waving as they turned and walked out of sight. But my world seemed suddenly so big and frightening that I started to cry. At that moment my parents magically appeared, scooped me up in their arms and took me home! Have you ever decided to run away from Jesus? You may think He didn’t notice when you started down the road; but He was watching and waiting for us to cry out. He is prepared for our home coming and has a place where we will always belong!

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This is the Lake Retreat cottage we were loaned named SImplicity. It has the benefit of no Wifi, TV or Cell service. What a wonderful place to call home for a few days!