Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Mustard Seeds

Currently I am working through a devotional book titled "Birds in My Mustard Tree" by Susanne Scheppmann. I have had the book for quite sometime, tucked away on the bookshelf, waiting for me to finish all the other books and projects on my list. What initially intrigued me about this book was a challenge to grow my faith. Many days I feel I am no where near where I should be in my desire to become more like him and to be able to come into a deeper, closer relationship with Him. Other things seem to always get in the way. I wonder why I have a hard time trusting and giving things over to God. I wonder why I can't give all my fears, anxieties and worries over to him and leave them at His feet. I have recently come to the conclusion that I have an awful disease that prevents me from placing all my trust in Him.

Its called forgetfulness.

I forget all that He has already done for me. I forget all that He has walked me through. I forget that so far He hasn't disappointed. I forget that anything that life throws at me...I will be able to handle because of His promises to me to never leave me or forsake me.

Hebrews 11 gives a beautiful account of what I want my faith to resemble. Abraham's faith was incredible. Why? Well He didn't get there in one giant leap that is for sure. He took it step by step and God increased his faith just like he desires me to do.

One step at a time.

One step...

First, Abraham was called to go to a place where he had no idea he was going. he just went. Then, he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country...lived in tents and all the while he looked forward to the city with foundations , whose architect and builder is God.

and then another step....

Now imagine you and your spouse are way past your prime with no children of your own but God enabled you to increase your family while increasing your faith. This was Abraham and Sarah's story.

and yet another....

Then Abraham answering God's call to sacrifice His beloved Son, trusting that at just the right moment God would provide the perfect sacrifice instead. God didn't disappoint and a ram was provided for the sacrifice.

He didn't take a giant leap to the top of the staircase of faith. He took it step by step by step. Trusting in God, who had walked him through the trials in his past, all the while increasing Abrahams faith that was once as small as a tiny mustard seed. Each trial in his life provided food and water to that mustard seed to make it grow. God grew that faith one incident at a time...one step at a time.

Perhaps the reason I feel my mustard seed of faith is not growing is because I worry too much about what is to be instead of feeding my faith on what has been and how he carried me through. Maybe I should stop look around and see the gift in each day and thank God that I have him to shoulder my burdens. For where would I be right now....

Without hope...
Without my faith as small as it may be....
Without God's perfect sacrifice....
Without Him....???

I cannot even imagine and I thank God I don't have to. All I need is that one tiny seed and he promises to make it grow when I feed it with his word.

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." ~Matthew 17:20

Monday, April 19, 2010

Gratitude, Gratitude and more Gratitude

Well, its been a while again. Especially when it comes to my gratitude list. I get to wrapped up in doing and going and moving that I forget to stop and take in everything around me. Then when I do...I seem to forget to jot it down so that I can reflect on it at a later date. So, without further ado....

99. the sun peaking through the windows welcoming me to another day

100. Daddy's hands playing in the garden

101. answered prayers

102. a walk in the garden that reveals new growth

103. colors of purple that surround me....lilacs...red bud trees.....grape hyacinths

104. a flower bed free from weeds

105. time spent together making our house a home

106. realizing that you can do anything with 15 minutes (thanks FlyLady!)and not feel so overwhelmed!

107. Soccer games on Sunday afternoons

108. an unexpected price reduction when you check out at the register ($20 wreath for $2.50)

109. date night with the hubby

110. a song that lifts your heart and hands in praise


May you take some time to jot down some of the gifts in your life. Pointing out the small things really does make a difference.


<3

Monday, April 12, 2010

Prayers for Amy Beth

Almost two years ago I had the pleasure of running across a blog titled Ministry So Fabulous. The author of that blog (Amy Beth) had me from the get-go lets say. I love the way she writes...it feels as if I am sitting on a chair across from her.

I learned of her spunky bloggy personality as well as gut wrenching honest posts that many people would not have the guts to write.

I do not have the honor of knowing her in "real-life" however she is someone that I have grown to admire. She is a very giving person who would probably give someone the clothes off her back if they needed it. I do know that she is 25 years old and has done awesome things for young girls and their self-esteem.

I am sorry to say that Amy Beth is going through quite a trial right now...one that no young woman at the age of 25 should have to go through. If you would like to know more please hop over and hear more of her story here. One thing I do admire about her is she is so honest. She has her comments closed because right now she just doesn't want to hear all the advice and niceties and really who can blame her....

Tomorrow those who know her personally and those (like me) who know her only through bloggy land will take some time throughout the day to pray for Amy Beth...won't you join too?


Thank you....