Living Water

I look outside and see droopy flowers and brown crunchy leaves. Plants and trees in need of rain. As I was walking through the back yard and hearing my feet crunch the brittle leaves, I thought of one of my favorite passages...

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭42:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My dad just returned from a deer hunting trip. Not one deer was seen. Green fields were brown. Deer were in search of water. I have been through seasons when I felt far away from God and His plan. But, I am thankful for His ever present Spirit that tugs at my heart and mind. Drawing me to His word. Longing to fill my heart with the much needed bread of life. 

When I get too busy for my relationship and time with the Lord, my spirit begins to feel like those leaves. Brittle and broken. Once healthy, vibrant and a picture of God's glory - when I go "it" alone - I feel the world creep in. I begin to allow selfishness, pride, fear and anger to take over my once healthy "leaf". 

But, how thankful that unlike the leaves that have fallen from the drought - never to be green again- we have a beautiful option. Return to the living water. Just as the passage says the deer pants for the water - we can return. Whether it has been one day, one week, one year, our Lord can turn that brittleness into beauty. 

The One that formed you longs for you to seek Him.  I love how as I read His word my heart is restored. His promises bring me hope. His promises bring me life. I will soak up His word. I will draw out each bit of understanding. I will guard my heart against growing bitter and brittle. 

Lord,

 May we seek to transform our hearts  and to be that picture of love that You called us to be. Continue to give me a desire to seek Your word and Your to plan for my life. Soften brittle hearts. May the only danger of fire during the drought be a fire for You. May these words be seen by someone who can be drawn closer to You and allow You to restore any brittleness that this world has caused. 

Amen

Seek First

Leaving church this Sunday we ran into one of our pastors and his wife.  We had all attended a wedding the night before and couldn't help but talk about how special it was to observe the union of two humble Christians.  I had even asked the mothers of the bride and groom what recipe they followed to raise their children.

During the wedding they had a special prayer time.  I prayed with my hand on Mary-Peyton that she might have that kind of relationship and that the Lord is working in the heart of a young man that one day will fully submit to the Lord. I also prayed that her friendships would also bring glory to God.  That the Lord would stir hearts to bring glory to Him in all things.  While I know her daddy was praying a similar prayer, we joked that his prayer added....in a very long time (for her mate!) ha!

So, back to Sunday, our pastor asked her to commit all of her relationships to Matthew 6:33.

We got in the car and she pulled up the verse...
"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matt 6:33
As a mom, I have to add in the next verse...
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matt 6:34

Yes, we've had a rough year, but the Lord's plan is at work.  Our responsibility as Christians is to seek Him first.  So, we came up with these ways we can commit our day to Him.

Seek first....when you feel alone.
Seek first...when you make a decision.
Seek first...about your friendships.
Seek first....when you are hurt.
Seek first....when you receive a blessing.
Seek first...when you have let someone down.
Seek first...when you are afraid.
Seek first...when you are anxious.
In all things....Seek first!

By seeking Him first, we commit to Him our anxiety and our fears. Middle school can be tough - but the Lord is there and His plan is at work.

Lord,
May we seek You first in each situation.  Seeking to live for Youe en when we don't understand.  We lift up the families that are struggling and ask you to encourage them to not grow weary in the day to day.  May these two words transform our day to day motions into eternal growth.  Amen