He Will Meet Us Where We Are
September 20
I longed for a time to sit and just listen to the Lord, but my list of yard chores were going to take up the whole day. Walking past some shrubs I had pruned a couple weeks before, I was thrilled with the results of the rose bushes. Ding! The Lord quickly reminded me of the benefits of pruning in our lives. Turning to my left I noticed spots of browning on the top of some shrubs I had trimmed..."Oh, no!" I thought, "are these dying?" When we trimmed the shrubs, which have very sharp thorns, we failed to get all the cuttings off of the tops and they had died there. Having no gloves on, because I had not expected this added project, I began to carefully pick out these cuttings. Again a whisper from the Lord, "There is some dead yuck I've been picking out of your heart, Boo." Walking around the corner to cut off a hose which was running I saw a branch in the driveway, which was much more convenient to access than my garden gloves in the house. I broke off a branch and used that to flick the dead prickles off the bushes. "Wise choice to look for assistance my child. There is always help around the corner," came the comforting voice of the Lord once again. Heading into the scrub pines I had some serious dead wooding to do with my trusty tree saw. The process was going extremely well, although I could feel my shoulders aching from this work. All of a sudden a screw and nut came loose and the blade on my saw went limp. My first thought was to thank the angels for protecting me from that blade falling across my face. I heard the Lord say, "It is time to quit." As I combed the pine needles for the screw and bolt He disciplined me gently speaking to me of changes which needed to take place in my heart. The sun was shining brightly through the trees and I was overwhelmed with how God has provided me a time of such intimacy right in the middle of my work.
Finding the screw I was so excited. I knew the bolt would be close at hand and the Lord had used this time to teach me. Then the Lord said, "What if this story doesn't turn out the way you want? What if you don't find the bolt?" Oh, I will still love you Lord and trust in your wisdom. He then said, "Boo, I know you so well that if I allow you to find the bolt and fix the blade you will continue to work." I did not argue, but walked out of the wooded area. Looking across the drive I saw a single tree standing with a lot of dead wood. I took the broken tree saw and began swatting at the dead limbs trying to at least knock them loose, since I could not saw them down. Then I stopped in my tracks and thought to myself..."Look at me. The Lord knows me better than I know myself. It is time to stop."
Walking back to the house I was amazed how God had met me where I was and taught me so much while I worked!
Now therefore, listen to me, my children. For blessed are those who keep my ways.
Proverbs 8:32
I longed for a time to sit and just listen to the Lord, but my list of yard chores were going to take up the whole day. Walking past some shrubs I had pruned a couple weeks before, I was thrilled with the results of the rose bushes. Ding! The Lord quickly reminded me of the benefits of pruning in our lives. Turning to my left I noticed spots of browning on the top of some shrubs I had trimmed..."Oh, no!" I thought, "are these dying?" When we trimmed the shrubs, which have very sharp thorns, we failed to get all the cuttings off of the tops and they had died there. Having no gloves on, because I had not expected this added project, I began to carefully pick out these cuttings. Again a whisper from the Lord, "There is some dead yuck I've been picking out of your heart, Boo." Walking around the corner to cut off a hose which was running I saw a branch in the driveway, which was much more convenient to access than my garden gloves in the house. I broke off a branch and used that to flick the dead prickles off the bushes. "Wise choice to look for assistance my child. There is always help around the corner," came the comforting voice of the Lord once again. Heading into the scrub pines I had some serious dead wooding to do with my trusty tree saw. The process was going extremely well, although I could feel my shoulders aching from this work. All of a sudden a screw and nut came loose and the blade on my saw went limp. My first thought was to thank the angels for protecting me from that blade falling across my face. I heard the Lord say, "It is time to quit." As I combed the pine needles for the screw and bolt He disciplined me gently speaking to me of changes which needed to take place in my heart. The sun was shining brightly through the trees and I was overwhelmed with how God has provided me a time of such intimacy right in the middle of my work.
Finding the screw I was so excited. I knew the bolt would be close at hand and the Lord had used this time to teach me. Then the Lord said, "What if this story doesn't turn out the way you want? What if you don't find the bolt?" Oh, I will still love you Lord and trust in your wisdom. He then said, "Boo, I know you so well that if I allow you to find the bolt and fix the blade you will continue to work." I did not argue, but walked out of the wooded area. Looking across the drive I saw a single tree standing with a lot of dead wood. I took the broken tree saw and began swatting at the dead limbs trying to at least knock them loose, since I could not saw them down. Then I stopped in my tracks and thought to myself..."Look at me. The Lord knows me better than I know myself. It is time to stop."
Walking back to the house I was amazed how God had met me where I was and taught me so much while I worked!
Now therefore, listen to me, my children. For blessed are those who keep my ways.
Proverbs 8:32
