Whatever you plant…you’ll reap

Whatever you plant…you’ll reap.

It’s not rocket science!

Even the youngest child understands if they plant birdseed they’ll grow birds…ahh! Just teasing!

   We get it.

If you want corn to grow, then you plant corn. Or cantaloupes, plant cantaloup seed. And we understand that if we sow bad actions, they have bad consequences! Right?

Why is it so much easier…

to believe that this law works in the negative realm than it is to believe it works in the positive? I talked with a pastor recently that answered my generic, “How are things going?” with “Great. I’ve sowed good things and I’m reaping good things.” His reply was so much more than an empty mantra. It was an honest, unemotional reply to my question.

That one sentence has hounded me!

I’ve used that verse like a goad to encourage and sometimes manipulate my children into doing what they need to do! But why couldn’t I see that the verse works in the positive equally as well. Why haven’t I believed God that when I plant good things I will reap good things? Sometimes I am better at it than other times. I’ve noticed everywhere I go I see smiling faces. One day I realized that people are simply responding to my smile. I’m receiving what I gave. That’s God’s law working in the positive! I plant kindness and thoughtfulness and I look for it in other people. And the wonderful thing is…I find exactly what I am looking for…almost every time!

I know. I know!

Some people’s face looks like it will crack into a million pieces, if they actually smile. And those are the ones that I love to walk past.

That’s my signal to pray!

No, it’s not a loud, overt prayer. But, it’s a deep whisper, “Father, you know their need. Minster to them Father. Encourage their heart. If they don’t know you, open their eyes to the truth of your love. Give them peace through Jesus. Give them joy!”

As believer’s, aren’t we on assignment from Almighty God?

to care… to love… to serve..

But, it’s important to realize our assignment has benefits.

We get to lick the bowl and the beaters…and God always makes sure there’s plenty left in the bowl. (Please tell me you lick the icing off the beaters!)

 I can enjoy the benefits of sowing and reaping.

Let me give an example. As I love people, God wants me to receive love as well. He will provide loving people in my life. I hear your protests…I know exactly what you’re thinking, “But I loved people that didn’t love me back. So have I. Actually too many times to count. But, because I believe in God’s law of sowing and reaping AND I lean in to receive the love that I need to nourish my emotions, He, not me, meets that need! And believe me, that love comes in all kinds of unusual places.

What are you growing in your life?

Weeds? Fruit?

Those Pesky Weeds

They seem to come from nowhere and they seem to thrive. In drought. In searing heat. They still thrive.

Weeds are automatic, but the good things that we want to grow in our lives must be planted and

nurtured. Fertilized. Watered. Weeded.

We don’t want weeds. We want good seeds of good things growing in our lives. So what are you planting?  

Maybe a better question would be, “What are you nurturing?”

Are you nurturing and cultivating kindness (or whatever else you want to see grow in your life) in both your mind and heart? Are you cultivating it by renewing your mind, planting Scriptures in your heart? Are you aligning your choices with Scriptures so you walk in the truth that produces the fruit you want?  

So why am I spending all this time talking about planting when the signs of Fall Harvest are all around us?

Because there can be no harvest without planting. Strategic planting. And, I want a good Harvest.

For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings. Zechariah 8:12 NLT  

Here’s one I’m going after!

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 1:2 NLT

 

And here Paul throws out a clear challenge.

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

So let me ask you again…What are you nurturing?