A few years ago, my family was losing a battle with our plumbing. The main drainage line meanders straight through the front flower bed, directly to the street via the front yard, perfectly dividing the lawn in two. Well, as we were digging up the flower bed, I gingerly gathered all the bulbs, rescuing them for a future day when the plumbing would be working, the flower bed would spring to life, and all would be as on a Better Homes and Gardens cover.
But, I lost them. Truth be told, it might not have been entirely my fault. The cat likes to play with anything that rolls…and perhaps these did. Shovels, rakes, pipes, and the like crowded the walkway, and perhaps pushed them off. At any rate, when I returned to the place where I was certain I had set them, they were no longer there. I looked everywhere, and thought I had looked thoroughly. They were simply gone. Honestly, I figured we might have thrown them
out, or maybe buried them deep in the finally-refilled trench.
Guess what? I found them!
The following spring, after a winter of plentiful rainfall, little green sprouts, like big blades of grass, came pushing up next to the sidewalk. I didn’t recognize them at first, but soon enough the characteristic leaves and tiny buds were calling out their names to anyone who walked by
–daffodils! I would never have known they were there, but the evidence was unmistakable.
There are lots of seeds and bulbs hiding in our hearts as well. Through the years, seeds of anger may have been sown by a discordant home, or an abusive relationship. Such seeds can lay dormant for many years. Despair, bitterness, pride-they all can be hidden for a time, sometimes even from ourselves.
But, then a season of rain comes. Whatever it is that will bring forth those seeds in your heart, it is bound to happen sooner or later. Then the natural offspring of that seed will be revealed.
You know, Jesus once spoke to some Pharisees who were concerned about ceremonial washing. He said, in Matt 23:25-26, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and
self-indulgence.”
I think Jesus was talking about the same thing – the Pharisees had some things hidden inside their clean-looking dishes, just as my bulbs were hidden inside the earth. But, as the rain brought forth my flowers, unearthing the evidence to solve my missing-bulb-mystery, in the same way a good hard stirring or shaking can push whatever is inside a cup, out. You know, these days they call it “pushing your buttons”!
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a season of reflection and repentance. While I do not belong to a tradition that keeps Lent, I do sense a looking-forward to Easter in my soul. It is a good time to investigate our own hearts. What is hidden in there that needs to be dealt with? Bring it out for an airing – discuss it with the Lord. He has seen it before, and knows just how to handle such a thing. Make this season a time to lay that sin at the foot of the
cross, and find the exhilarating joy of unencumbered relationship with Him. He is faithful. He is merciful. He is waiting.
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
Psalm 32:1-7
How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no
deceit!
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the
summer’s heat.
Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You took away the guilt of my sin.
Selah
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found.
When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble,
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance
But, I lost them. Truth be told, it might not have been entirely my fault. The cat likes to play with anything that rolls…and perhaps these did. Shovels, rakes, pipes, and the like crowded the walkway, and perhaps pushed them off. At any rate, when I returned to the place where I was certain I had set them, they were no longer there. I looked everywhere, and thought I had looked thoroughly. They were simply gone. Honestly, I figured we might have thrown them
out, or maybe buried them deep in the finally-refilled trench.
Guess what? I found them!
The following spring, after a winter of plentiful rainfall, little green sprouts, like big blades of grass, came pushing up next to the sidewalk. I didn’t recognize them at first, but soon enough the characteristic leaves and tiny buds were calling out their names to anyone who walked by
–daffodils! I would never have known they were there, but the evidence was unmistakable.
There are lots of seeds and bulbs hiding in our hearts as well. Through the years, seeds of anger may have been sown by a discordant home, or an abusive relationship. Such seeds can lay dormant for many years. Despair, bitterness, pride-they all can be hidden for a time, sometimes even from ourselves.
But, then a season of rain comes. Whatever it is that will bring forth those seeds in your heart, it is bound to happen sooner or later. Then the natural offspring of that seed will be revealed.
You know, Jesus once spoke to some Pharisees who were concerned about ceremonial washing. He said, in Matt 23:25-26, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and
self-indulgence.”
I think Jesus was talking about the same thing – the Pharisees had some things hidden inside their clean-looking dishes, just as my bulbs were hidden inside the earth. But, as the rain brought forth my flowers, unearthing the evidence to solve my missing-bulb-mystery, in the same way a good hard stirring or shaking can push whatever is inside a cup, out. You know, these days they call it “pushing your buttons”!
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a season of reflection and repentance. While I do not belong to a tradition that keeps Lent, I do sense a looking-forward to Easter in my soul. It is a good time to investigate our own hearts. What is hidden in there that needs to be dealt with? Bring it out for an airing – discuss it with the Lord. He has seen it before, and knows just how to handle such a thing. Make this season a time to lay that sin at the foot of the
cross, and find the exhilarating joy of unencumbered relationship with Him. He is faithful. He is merciful. He is waiting.
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
Psalm 32:1-7
How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no
deceit!
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the
summer’s heat.
Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You took away the guilt of my sin.
Selah
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found.
When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble,
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance
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