Once upon a time there was a Great Tree in the middle of a beautiful garden. The Tree was so great that all the birds and squirrels of the world could come and make their home in It at the same time. There were thousands of branches on this Tree. Some hung low to the ground carrying the weight of their fruit, while others bounced highly above, just beginning to produce. On the very top was a new shoot that sprouted out proudly into the sunshine. The little branch was so excited to be on the top of the tree. He felt very happy knowing that everyone could see he was part of the Great Tree in the middle of the beautiful garden.
It was a glorious life, there on the top of the Tree. But there was one problem, every time the little branch got comfortable, the Great Tree started to make Him grow. Now, growing wasn’t all bad. It did make him taller and stronger. Yet there were times the little branch just didn’t want to grow. He didn’t want the life-giving sap flowing through his little stem into his shiny new leaves. It didn't always feel good. Sometimes, it just plain hurt. The sap from the Great Tree stretched and hardened his bark. It pulled and widened his leaves. Something seemed to always be happening in him that was beyond his control.
The little branch had had enough. His bark was hard and strong. His leaves were bushy and green. And very tiny bunches of unripe fruit hung gently from his branches. But none of that swayed his determination. He didn’t want to grow anymore. He didn’t want to be stretched. He didn't want to be controlled. So one day, as life-giving sap from the Great Tree was rising through his stem at a rapid pace, he constricted himself around the liquid, all but cutting if off. “Hey, that wasn’t so hard,” he thought to himself, “I’m finally in control.”
For the next few days, the little branch squeezed and constricted the life-giving sap and kept it from reaching his leaves. It wasn’t long before he didn’t feel the pain of growth anymore. He actually began to not feel anything at all. What a relief. He could finally breathe a little.
In all of his new-found comfort, the little branch forgot about his budding fruit and his shiny leaves. He didn’t recognize that the little birds and the squirrels never played on him anymore. And frankly, he just didn’t care.
One day, a little boy passed by the Great Tree. The little branch noticed that he didn't look happy, as most children did when they would pass by on their way to school. Instead, this little boy looked very frightened and thin. "He must be hungry," thought the branch.
The child had wandered into the beautiful garden and become lost, not knowing how to get home. Just the thought of this made the little branch very upset. He'd been fascinated by little children since he first began to sprout. “I know, I will help him," he thought, "I’ll shake my fruit from my limbs and let it fall to the ground so the little boy can at least have something to eat.” Pleased at himself, the little branch looked up to see which limb held the ripest and plumpest of all the fruit. To his horror, what he saw was a mass of leafless, lifeless limbs with only rotten fruit where the healthy fruit used to be. His bark was gray and peeling off, and his shiny green leaves were nowhere to be found. “What's happened to me?” he thought.
And then, a great voice came from below. It wasn't a thundering voice with harsh, cold tones. Instead, it was a gentle whisper: “Without Me, little branch, you can do nothing, for a branch cannot live or produce any fruit when it separates itself from the life-giving sap of the Great Tree.” Saddened and ashamed, the little branch hung low and the little boy continued on his way. How horribly sad. The little branch had missed the chance to give life to the child. If he’d continued to grow and allow the Great Tree to give him life, then he would have been able to provide the little boy with something he desperately needed…fruit.
John 15:4,5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in Me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without Me they can do nothing.
I wish I could say this story has a happy ending. It doesn’t. You see, the little branch was so devastated by what he'd done and so broken-hearted for being unable to help the little boy, that he eventually fell from the top of the Great Tree in the beautiful garden to the ground and wasted away.
The same is not true for you and me. We don’t have to fall to the ground and waste away. We can allow God to grow us anew, again. We can choose to stop restricting the Spirit and allow the life-giving sap to flow through our veins, even if it make us a little uncomfortable here in this life. Growth may be painful, but being unable to bear fruit for the benefit of others is even more so.
My friend, the question is...are you squelching and squeezing the life-giving sap of the Holy Spirit? Are you allowing your own desire to be in control of your life to terminate your ability to bear fruit for Christ? Have you stopped growing and producing fruit and are you even aware that you have done so?
Good questions, that need answers for all of us. Let's pray right now and ask the Spirit to show us how we’re growing. There’s someone, possibly your own child, in need of fruit today. Surrender your will to the Great One. Surrender to His life for you and through you, and then shake your branches and let the fruit fall to nourish those around you who are hungry.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
OK, I'm finally ready to admit it. I need bifocals! My eye doctor knows this already, but I guess my denial is stronger than his opinion. This sight-related revelation came suddenly and without warning a couple of weeks ago. Several churches had gotten together at the Assembly of God Church in Smithfield to practice for the Smithfield Rescue Mission Benefit. In my struggle to read what I thought was just tiny shape notes and miniature music, I mentioned my need for bifocals to the group and laughed off the fact that everything on the page was running together as one big blur. At that point, a beautiful lady in front of me turned, took off her reading glasses and handed them to me. To my surprise, after I put on the glasses, I could see words and music and periods and commas. No longer did the black print look like a jumbled mess, but I could make out each letter. I could see all of it clearly, unlike before. It was at that moment I realized, I really do need bifocals.
Now, that was a couple of weeks ago, and I haven't gotten them yet. I probably won't for awhile. I'll just be content to continue to struggle, even though I know how much better my sight would be with them. I wouldn't have to squint at this screen to read my e-mails every day. I wouldn't even have to increase the size of the print! Imagine that - to be able to see clearly! Hmmm...
Scripture tells us of seeing clearly. I Corinthians says that in the present time, we see as in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also am known. That's of great comfort to me. You see, there are lots of things in this life I don't understand - that I don't see clearly. There's cancer. There's pain. There's hunger. There's disaster. I know these things exist, but I don't always understand WHY they exist and affect people I love. That's because right now, I'm looking in a mirror that's been streaked and distorted with life. And in this life, I'll never see clearly. God, on the other hand, sees everything with perfect clarity. He sees how it all works together for good. He sees the coordinating pieces of the plan I think are out of place. He sees the end result of the streaks and distortions, all without bifocals.
There's an old Gospel hymn that begins: Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand all the ways that God would lead us to that blessed Promised Land, but He'll guide us with His eye and we'll follow till we die. And we'll understand it better by and by. By and by when the morning comes. When the saints of God are gathered home. We will tell the story how we've overcome. We will understand it better by and by.
Do we understand it all? No. Do we see God's whole plan clearly without distortion? No. BUT the comfort and the hope for this life is that one day we will. One day we will understand. One day we will see clearly. I'm ready for that day, aren't you?
Dear Jesus, purify our hearts and our patience as we wait for the day You reveal the whys and hows of life to us. Thank You we have hope in that even though we can't see it all, You can. For You, it's all in focus. Thank You, Jesus.
Now, that was a couple of weeks ago, and I haven't gotten them yet. I probably won't for awhile. I'll just be content to continue to struggle, even though I know how much better my sight would be with them. I wouldn't have to squint at this screen to read my e-mails every day. I wouldn't even have to increase the size of the print! Imagine that - to be able to see clearly! Hmmm...
Scripture tells us of seeing clearly. I Corinthians says that in the present time, we see as in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also am known. That's of great comfort to me. You see, there are lots of things in this life I don't understand - that I don't see clearly. There's cancer. There's pain. There's hunger. There's disaster. I know these things exist, but I don't always understand WHY they exist and affect people I love. That's because right now, I'm looking in a mirror that's been streaked and distorted with life. And in this life, I'll never see clearly. God, on the other hand, sees everything with perfect clarity. He sees how it all works together for good. He sees the coordinating pieces of the plan I think are out of place. He sees the end result of the streaks and distortions, all without bifocals.
There's an old Gospel hymn that begins: Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand all the ways that God would lead us to that blessed Promised Land, but He'll guide us with His eye and we'll follow till we die. And we'll understand it better by and by. By and by when the morning comes. When the saints of God are gathered home. We will tell the story how we've overcome. We will understand it better by and by.
Do we understand it all? No. Do we see God's whole plan clearly without distortion? No. BUT the comfort and the hope for this life is that one day we will. One day we will understand. One day we will see clearly. I'm ready for that day, aren't you?
Dear Jesus, purify our hearts and our patience as we wait for the day You reveal the whys and hows of life to us. Thank You we have hope in that even though we can't see it all, You can. For You, it's all in focus. Thank You, Jesus.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Just got back into town. My husband's uncle died, so we made a sweeping trip through the states of NC, SC, and GA. It might sound like a sad occasion, but bittersweet would define it better. God showed up in a way I think none of us will ever forget. So many blessings came from our trip, and as we look back, I don't think we'll remember how long the road trip was, or how we got stuck in traffic or even how we were concerned we'd not make it back for church Wednesday night. Instead, I think we'll remember what a wonderful time we had seeing our family. I think we'll remember how much fun it was to see the kid-cousins all hanging out and trading silly bands on the pool table. I think we'll remember how much our hearts ache to be with them all again soon! That's what I think we'll remember, and I know that's what Uncle Bill would have wanted.
Grace - God giving us what we DON'T deserve.
I didn't deserve a wonderful trip, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to spend lots of fun-time with my family, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to fall in love with my newly-met cousins, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to tour Cave Spring Cave with Grandpa and eat hot dogs with Uncle David, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to laugh at America's Got Talent with Uncle Jim and get to use my limited sign language with beautiful Janet, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve God's protection, His care, His tenderness, His forgiveness, or His grace on this trip, but God gave it to me.
What's He given You?
Dear Jesus, thank You for always loving, always giving, always providing, protecting, holding, shielding, covering and showering me with Your grace. May I always be mindful that I deserve none of these things, but in Your grace, You give them freely and abundantly. May I repay Your kindness with love and obedience that comes from gratitude. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
There is none like You, O Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. Ps. 86:8 (NIV)
Grace - God giving us what we DON'T deserve.
I didn't deserve a wonderful trip, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to spend lots of fun-time with my family, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to fall in love with my newly-met cousins, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to tour Cave Spring Cave with Grandpa and eat hot dogs with Uncle David, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to laugh at America's Got Talent with Uncle Jim and get to use my limited sign language with beautiful Janet, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve God's protection, His care, His tenderness, His forgiveness, or His grace on this trip, but God gave it to me.
What's He given You?
Dear Jesus, thank You for always loving, always giving, always providing, protecting, holding, shielding, covering and showering me with Your grace. May I always be mindful that I deserve none of these things, but in Your grace, You give them freely and abundantly. May I repay Your kindness with love and obedience that comes from gratitude. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
There is none like You, O Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. Ps. 86:8 (NIV)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Expect it!
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Ps. 5:3.
This verse consumes me these days. I think I've got the first part of it right - the part about sitting before the Lord in the morning and beseeching Him with requests. However, it's the last three words that get me. Three little words...you would think I could easily overlook them and move forward with my day. However, every time I read this verse, those words resonate in my mind like a gong continuing to vibrate after being struck. It must be because the whole power of the verse hinges on the last three words - wait in expectation.
How often I sit and ask God for things, only to then move about my day as if I never asked to begin with. I beg Him to make my kids love each other, but expect them to fight. I beg Him to cause them to love Him, but expect them to struggle to make godly decisions.
I wonder what would happen if I expected more of God. I wonder if when I laid my requests before God, and then went throughout the rest of the day expecting to see the answers fulfilled...I wonder if I would see a difference in the power of my prayer life. I bet I would. I'll bet my life would be filled with moment after moment of answered prayer - so much so that me and everyone around me would wonder what in the world was going on! Wouldn't that be great!
There's just one question to ask then...what's keeping me from doing it...from expecting God to "show up" throughout the day? NOTHING...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Father, here I am...ordering my prayer to You as the Psalmist did. Help me to choose to EXPECT You to show up. Help me to remember that You desire to give good gifts to Your children and are thrilled when they acknowledge You can! Praise You, Lord, for being good...always good to Your kids. I expect You to "show up" today...I can't wait!
This verse consumes me these days. I think I've got the first part of it right - the part about sitting before the Lord in the morning and beseeching Him with requests. However, it's the last three words that get me. Three little words...you would think I could easily overlook them and move forward with my day. However, every time I read this verse, those words resonate in my mind like a gong continuing to vibrate after being struck. It must be because the whole power of the verse hinges on the last three words - wait in expectation.
How often I sit and ask God for things, only to then move about my day as if I never asked to begin with. I beg Him to make my kids love each other, but expect them to fight. I beg Him to cause them to love Him, but expect them to struggle to make godly decisions.
I wonder what would happen if I expected more of God. I wonder if when I laid my requests before God, and then went throughout the rest of the day expecting to see the answers fulfilled...I wonder if I would see a difference in the power of my prayer life. I bet I would. I'll bet my life would be filled with moment after moment of answered prayer - so much so that me and everyone around me would wonder what in the world was going on! Wouldn't that be great!
There's just one question to ask then...what's keeping me from doing it...from expecting God to "show up" throughout the day? NOTHING...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Father, here I am...ordering my prayer to You as the Psalmist did. Help me to choose to EXPECT You to show up. Help me to remember that You desire to give good gifts to Your children and are thrilled when they acknowledge You can! Praise You, Lord, for being good...always good to Your kids. I expect You to "show up" today...I can't wait!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Enjoy Them Now
I hear the pitter patter of little feet running through the house. This morning's been quiet, but now things are beginning to liven up as small ones and larger ones are awakening. It's the "makings" of a wonderful day - the smell of coffee brewing, the time to sit and talk with the Savior, the sounds of simple life at the Kirk house. Can't get much better than this.
I know one day when I'm older, the sound of little feet running hard and fast through the hallway won't exist - that is, unless my husband decides to simulate it for me every morning. Instead, my house will be quiet, I'll have more time to sit with my Savior and maybe a few more minutes to sip my coffee, but my house will be quiet...probably too quiet.
Mrs. Betsy Tuten, one of my favorite people in the world, told me a long time ago to enjoy my kids while they were little, because they just "grow up too fast." Mrs. Betsy, a beautiful example of the life of Christ, lived alone. Her "Tuten" was with Jesus, and her kids were grown and gone.
The "enjoy them while their little" comment came as I obviously struggled with my little ones overtaking her house during a visit one day. She shared with me that sometimes she would walk in her kid's rooms and see everything neatly tucked away - like it hadn't been touched in years. The beds were made; the pillows, put in just the right place; no toys on the floor. And she would just stand there and look and remember. Then, as if time could be erased, she'd walk into the room a little farther, and be tempted to jerk the covers off the bed and put everything "not" in its place - just so there would be signs of life in her home. "Enjoy them now...enjoy them now," she said.
She's right. I know she's right.
"They were Yours, You gave them to Me..." (John 17:6). That's the first thing I read this morning. This is Christ's prayer to the Father before His crucifixion, but I couldn't help but think, "Lord, they are Yours, You gave them to me."
I'm sad to say, the pitter patter of little feet will disappear, but they were never intended to stay little feet. They were intended to grow into bigger feet that would walk where Jesus wanted them to and run hard to Him when He calls.
My kids are His...and they will grow up...and they will find a life of their own...and they will follow after Him with their whole heart, I pray. So, I need to enjoy them now...and later, too, but especially right now while I have them. I need to remember they are His and treat them with the respect they deserve. I need to remember He gave them to me, so He will provide and He will make me who I need to be for them.
Enjoy them now, enjoy them now.
Father thank You for giving me three wonderful little people to hold on this earth for You. You gave them to Me, Father, now help me pour Your life into them. Help me love them, as You do. Help me teach them as You desire. Thank You. Thank You for the reminder to enjoy them...enjoy them now.
I know one day when I'm older, the sound of little feet running hard and fast through the hallway won't exist - that is, unless my husband decides to simulate it for me every morning. Instead, my house will be quiet, I'll have more time to sit with my Savior and maybe a few more minutes to sip my coffee, but my house will be quiet...probably too quiet.
Mrs. Betsy Tuten, one of my favorite people in the world, told me a long time ago to enjoy my kids while they were little, because they just "grow up too fast." Mrs. Betsy, a beautiful example of the life of Christ, lived alone. Her "Tuten" was with Jesus, and her kids were grown and gone.
The "enjoy them while their little" comment came as I obviously struggled with my little ones overtaking her house during a visit one day. She shared with me that sometimes she would walk in her kid's rooms and see everything neatly tucked away - like it hadn't been touched in years. The beds were made; the pillows, put in just the right place; no toys on the floor. And she would just stand there and look and remember. Then, as if time could be erased, she'd walk into the room a little farther, and be tempted to jerk the covers off the bed and put everything "not" in its place - just so there would be signs of life in her home. "Enjoy them now...enjoy them now," she said.
She's right. I know she's right.
"They were Yours, You gave them to Me..." (John 17:6). That's the first thing I read this morning. This is Christ's prayer to the Father before His crucifixion, but I couldn't help but think, "Lord, they are Yours, You gave them to me."
I'm sad to say, the pitter patter of little feet will disappear, but they were never intended to stay little feet. They were intended to grow into bigger feet that would walk where Jesus wanted them to and run hard to Him when He calls.
My kids are His...and they will grow up...and they will find a life of their own...and they will follow after Him with their whole heart, I pray. So, I need to enjoy them now...and later, too, but especially right now while I have them. I need to remember they are His and treat them with the respect they deserve. I need to remember He gave them to me, so He will provide and He will make me who I need to be for them.
Enjoy them now, enjoy them now.
Father thank You for giving me three wonderful little people to hold on this earth for You. You gave them to Me, Father, now help me pour Your life into them. Help me love them, as You do. Help me teach them as You desire. Thank You. Thank You for the reminder to enjoy them...enjoy them now.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
You'll Never Find
I'm so blessed. After 17 years of marriage, my husband still sings over me. He waltzes into the kitchen while I'm making dinner and belts out "You'll never find...as long as you live...someone who loves you...baby like I do." For you younger ones, that's an old Lou Rawl's song. I know, you probably don't know who Lou Rawls is either, but Google him and the song on YouTube. You'll get a treat, I promise! Grant it, my husband's serenade is meant to bring laughter rather than admiration for his beautiful, deep voice, but it's great to be sung over anyway.
Confession time: My husband's not the only one who sings over me. There's another who's voice is the most amazing. It's deep. It's gentle. It's strong. If you've never heard it, you're missing something.
I do hope by now you've figured out I'm not speaking of another man at all. The other One is God, Himself. Zeph. 3:17 tells me something fascinating. It says He will rejoice over you with singing. Every time I read that, I am overwhelmed by God's love for me. He's just plain giddy over me sometimes, enough to sing. Wow. What a thought.
How about you? How long has it been since you thought about God singing over you? He does, you know. Why don't you take a minute right now to stop and let it sink in...He loves you. He cherishes you. He desires you. You make His heart sing. Now that you've got that settled and your heart is bursting with gratitude, start your day on that note. You truly will never find "someone who loves you, baby like He does!"
Father, Your love is amazing. It's far above anything I could ever ask or imagine. You love me. Wow. Thank You, Lord for singing over me...for making me feel special today. May I live a life of gratitude for Your love.
Confession time: My husband's not the only one who sings over me. There's another who's voice is the most amazing. It's deep. It's gentle. It's strong. If you've never heard it, you're missing something.
I do hope by now you've figured out I'm not speaking of another man at all. The other One is God, Himself. Zeph. 3:17 tells me something fascinating. It says He will rejoice over you with singing. Every time I read that, I am overwhelmed by God's love for me. He's just plain giddy over me sometimes, enough to sing. Wow. What a thought.
How about you? How long has it been since you thought about God singing over you? He does, you know. Why don't you take a minute right now to stop and let it sink in...He loves you. He cherishes you. He desires you. You make His heart sing. Now that you've got that settled and your heart is bursting with gratitude, start your day on that note. You truly will never find "someone who loves you, baby like He does!"
Father, Your love is amazing. It's far above anything I could ever ask or imagine. You love me. Wow. Thank You, Lord for singing over me...for making me feel special today. May I live a life of gratitude for Your love.
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