Tag: Seek God

Infrequent Watering

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

I stepped into the kitchen. Time to make supper.

My eyes roamed the room as I pondered what to make for our evening meal.

The plants on top of the cupboards caught my attention.

I frowned. 

My spider plant was looking pale green and wilty. My pothos was drooping. My Christmas cactus appeared to be handling the man-made drought reasonably well, but it wasn’t thriving.

I needed to water them. It had been far too long.

The problem was, they were up high, beyond my reach, unless I climbed on a kitchen chair.

I heard the pitter patter of little feet behind me.

My 2 year old entered the kitchen. The very 2 year old who had pushed a chair to the kitchen counter to pull a bowl out of the cupboard all by himself the other day…

I glanced at the top shelf plants with a sigh. They’d have to wait until later. I wasn’t foolish enough to set an example of climbing on a kitchen chair to reach something even higher in front of my son. Who knew what mischief he would get into, bolstered by my example?

I would have to remember to water them later, once the kids were in bed.

Setting my concern about my plants aside, I turned to my son with a cheery smile.

“Let’s find something for you to do at the table while I make supper.”

Why do I bring up this scene? Because it has an important reminder for me, and perhaps you will find it valuable as well.

When I picture my walk with God as a plant, I am reminded that I need to be intentional to water my plant.

If my walk with Jesus isn’t receiving enough water, it won’t thrive. It will wilt.

True, water isn’t the only factor needed to make plants thrive. They need the right amount of sunlight, good soil, and nutrients.

Perhaps having my heart in the right place – humble and trusting God – can be represented by the sunlight a plant needs. Without sunlight, no amount of watering will make a plant grow. Likewise, without my heart in the right place my walk with Jesus will not function.

That said, a plant will not grow and thrive without regular watering no matter how perfect the other factors are.

The plants on my top shelf show this clearly.

Indeed, it is especially evident when you consider my spider plant.

My sister gave me my spider plant from her larger plant. At the same time, she gave a spider plant of the same age to my mom.

My mom’s spider plant has been well watered. It has been strategically placed to receive the right type of light.

In contrast, my poor spider plant is up on a high shelf so the kids don’t get it, and it has certainly been under watered.

My mom’s spider plant is thriving. It is lush green, much bigger than mine, and beginning to reproduce.

My plant is smaller, often pale, and nowhere near ready to reproduce.

As with these spider plants, I must be watering my walk with Jesus if I want it to grow and thrive.

So how do I water my relationship with Jesus? Bible reading, Bible teaching, prayer, singing praise, and fellowship.

I need to be intentional to make it a regular practice to read or listen to the Bible for myself.

Finding Biblically sound Bible teaching pastors to listen to or read books by is also incredibly valuable. (One of my favorites is Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel.)

Spending time in prayer – conversation with God – is vital. Someone once equated prayer to breathing in order to convey just how essential it is to spiritual life.

There are many ways to pray. Praying by oneself or praying with others. Praying for practical needs, praying for spiritual growth, and prayers of praise for who God is. Taking time for each of these can refresh and strengthen my walk with God. 

Singing worship songs (even more than just listening to them) helps turn my focus back to Jesus.

Fellowship is time spent with other Christians. Encouraging and being encouraged by each other – serving and being served. Discussing the things of God.

Regular attendance at a Bible teaching church covers most of these elements, but once a week is not enough.

I am not a cactus that only needs occasional watering.

I need to be watering my walk with Jesus daily, even better if hourly.

This can looked very different in different seasons of life. Making regular habits can help me consistently add water to my walk with Jesus.

Some possibilities include reading my Bible first thing, or listening to a 5 minute devotional (like this podcast by David Guzik).

I can build in regular times of prayer for my family, missionaries, and prayers of thanksgiving. On top of that, I can find a couple of friends to meet with regularly to pray for our church, community, and country.

Today, may I seek out one more way to add water to my walk with Jesus and begin to make that a regular habit.

 

What are some of your regular habits that water your walk with Jesus? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Illuminated Trees

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

With a sigh, I sank into the rocking chair in the quiet room.

What a busy day. The older kids were finally in bed and nearly asleep now.

Alone for the first time all day, I let my eyes scan the scene out my window. The sky behind the house tops and trees carried the deep blue of a recent rainstorm.

My gaze shifted to the room around me as I turned to prayer for discernment regarding an allegory to write next.

When I turned back to the window, the trees caught my attention. They glowed!

The sinking sun behind my house shone brilliantly on the trees, making them stand out vividly against the dark sky.

Just like that, I had an allegory to write. (This one that you are reading now.)

Those trees, so ordinary to me because I saw them every day, stood out now in unmistakable beauty.

I noticed one of the many chimneys visible from my window glowing in stunning sharpness. The rest of the chimneys remained their typical grey and steel.

I pulled out my phone to record these thoughts.

When I paused to look out the window again, lower clouds had drifted into view. They were illuminated against the dark clouds.

An airplane flew by, gleaming in the sunshine.

What a lovely scene.

A few minutes later, the trees faded into typical shades, boring compared to what they had just been. Yet the sky behind them shone cheery pink in the setting sun’s rays.

So what is the allegory, you may be wondering.

To me, this scene of stunning contrast is a picture of how God so often speaks through the Bible.

As someone who has read the entire Bible many times, no passage is brand new to me.

Just like the trees outside my window, the Bible stories, at first glance, are normal.

I should mention that, on the average day, it is not uncommon for my husband and I to comment to each other how pleasant the scene outside our window is with trees and sky, chimneys and airplanes. That said, it is very routine for me to see this scene.

Likewise, reading God’s Word is precious and wonderful, an incredible privilege. Yet I have read it before. It isn’t shiny new.

This evening, however, looking out the window, those trees looked new. They stood out stunningly in the brilliant light of the evening sun.

So often, this is how God speaks through His Word, the Bible. He shines His “Son-shine,” if you will, on a passage making it jump from the page in a way I’ve never noticed before.

The passage comes alive.

If I never took the time to look out the window, and left the blinds closed, I would not see the illuminated trees.

If I never took the time to read the Bible, but left it closed on the shelf, I would miss what God wants to say to me through it.

If I only ever approached the window as a to-do task – to clean the window pane and wipe the dust from the sill – I would very possibly miss seeing the beautiful scene outside.

If I only ever read the Bible to check it off my to-do list, I may or may not notice what God is wanting to say to me.

Indeed there are many days when my Bible reading feels like no more than a task to get done. (This is far better than not opening it at all.)

But what if today, I remember to pause as I go to open my Bible, to ask God to tune my heart to His by teaching me something as I read the Bible.

It may not be fireworks or lightning, but far more often than not, if I slow down, turning my attention towards God as I open the Bible, He has something to teach me.

Oftentimes it is a gentle reminder, or sometimes a new depth of understanding. Occasionally it is a vivid instruction.

Yet how would I hear and learn unless I opened the Bible and began to read?

Likewise, how would I have seen the brilliant trees outside my window, if I had left the curtains closed?

“Your word is a lamp for my feet
and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 CSB

Today, may I make time to seek God through reading the Bible. He will meet me there.

If you are new to reading the Bible, I highly recommend starting with the book of John.

 

If you are looking for a Bible reading plan, or simply a way to record which chapters you’ve read, I encourage you to print out a copy of my DIY Bible Reading Plan. It’s free for my subscribers. (Already subscribed? Click the Free Downloads link in your email and then scroll down until you find the Bible reading plan).

Brown Sugar Keeper

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

“It’s your turn to open presents.” My sister-in-law’s words drew my attention back from helping my kids explore the gift they’d just unwrapped.

“Okay,” I picked up a medium-sized box wrapped in festive paper.

I checked the label. It was from my in-laws. I glanced up to double-check they knew I was opening it.

I ripped off the paper to reveal a brown shipping box.

I opened the box.

Inside, I found a wide glass jar with a flip lid, a fresh bag of brown sugar, and a set of sugar keepers or brown sugar savers.

I smiled. These would be useful.

At one point, I had kept my brown sugar in a tall plastic container, but the container was now scratched and cracked. Recently, my brown sugar lived in the original bag with a twist tie or clip to seal it shut. This meant I was often battling hard, dry brown sugar.

A few days later, after the hubbub of Christmas had calmed, I prepared to put my new gift to use. With the jar freshly washed, I looked at the sugar keepers.

They were simple terracotta discs with the imprint of a maple leaf.

The instructions were straightforward. Soak in water for 20 minutes. Dry off the outside and place in sugar.

I filled a measuring cup with water and put the sugar keepers in.

My kids glanced up from their playdough at the sound of the sizzle and whistle of the keepers soaking up the water.

Once the kids returned to their playdough, I had a moment to read the back of the sugar keepers’ package.

The package listed several other things the sugar keeper could do:

  • Keep cakes and cookies moist
  • Keep raisins, coconut, and other dried fruits fresh

I glanced at my kids. Could it keep playdough soft? I might have to try.

I looked back at the package. It had a second side to the wording.

Apparently, the sugar keeper could be dried in the oven and would then be useful for keeping things dry. It could:

  • Keep spices and salt dry
  • Keep chips crispy
  • Keep electronic equipment dry

These uses surprised me. I had no idea how many things a little terracotta disc could be useful for.

It was then that an allegory took shape in my mind.

I, as a Christian, am meant to bring life to those around me, just as the sugar keeper is to bring moisture (and thus give life to) brown sugar.

Is it my own life that I bring to those around me? No, it is the life Jesus gives. The life which, by the Holy Spirit, lives in me.

Similarly, the sugar keeper does not give its own moisture to the sugar. The keeper must first be soaked, thus being filled up with water so it has something to give.

Giving moisture is not the only thing a sugar keeper can do. It can also suck moisture out of everything around it.

Likewise, giving life is not the only thing I can do. I can also drain the joy and hope out of everyone I cross paths with.

This happens when I am living in the flesh, not walking in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-26 clarifies the difference. (For sake of time I will abbreviate the passage, but the full section is worth reading.)

The works of the flesh include: Jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, and envy. (Gal. 5:19-21)

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23a CSB)

I don’t want to be a life drainer. I want to be life giving to those around me.

I want to share a taste of the life Jesus gives with those I cross paths with. I want to give joy, hope, encouragement, and love to them.

I want them to see Jesus in me.

How can I do this?

The more I draw near to Jesus – seeking Him through the Bible, prayer, worship, and Christian fellowship – the more I will be filled with His life.

The more I am filled with Jesus’ life, the more it will seep out of me to bring life to those around me.

God will be at work through me.

Today, may I seek Jesus more so that I may be a life giver, not a life drainer.

Unexpected Influences

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

“Ready, Mommy?” My toddler called from her car seat.

I twisted in the passenger seat to see her. “Ready for what?”

“Ready for me to put my sunglasses on?” She held her sunglasses poised above her head, ready to be put on.

Amused, I glanced at my husband who was driving. “Okay, I’m ready for you to put your sunglasses on.”

Slowly, and with great emphasis, my toddler pulled her pink sunglasses down over her eyes and settled them in place.

“I have my sunglasses!”

I smiled. “Yes. You put them on. Very good.”

I was slightly puzzled at her wanting my attention when putting on her sunglasses, but toddlers sometimes do things that don’t make sense to me. I didn’t dwell on it.

Turning back towards the front of the vehicle, I resumed my conversation with my husband.

This event repeated itself several times over the course of a few months. I still didn’t think much of it, until my husband made an observation.

“It’s because of the babies wearing glasses videos she’s watched.” He pointed out.

I immediately saw the truth in his statement.

We don’t watch many videos or TV shows at this point, but from time to time, I will watch YouTube videos with her. Her absolute favourite, which she often requests, is “babies wearing glasses videos”.

“Babies wearing glasses videos”, as she termed them, are short videos of babies or toddlers, who have vision challenges, trying glasses on. Typically they have huge smiles as they get to see clearly for the first time. Family members cheer and exclaim adoringly as the little one takes in the world.

It was in mimicking these little ones that my toddler was insisting I watch as she dramatically put on her sunglasses.

I know that what youngsters see has a huge impact on them. Therefore, I am quite particular about what we watch. These “babies wearing sunglasses” videos seemed harmless and cute. Other than being wary that she might try putting her sunglasses on her baby brother, I hadn’t expected them to influence her much.

Yet here she was, clearly repeating what she’d observed.

What about me? Is there something seemingly benign and unimpactful that is influencing me?

Most likely yes.

Peers, TV, books, social media, church, friend circles… They all influence me whether I know it or not.

I am instructed to imitate what is good, not what is evil (3 John 1:11).

The writer of Hebrews tells me, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:12 NIV)

Then later, in Hebrews 13:7, he says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (NIV)

So what about my life? Who or what has influenced me?

Are there any things or people that may be influencing me towards ungodly and unhealthy attitudes or lifestyles? How can I minimise those?

On the flip side, how can I increase the good and beneficial influences on my life?

May I be intentional about who and what I imitate with the ultimate goal of imitating Jesus.

Water Pipes

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

I jerked awake when an emergency alert sounded from my phone.

Dazed, I reached for my phone as I glanced at the clock. Not yet 7 am.

What could require an emergency alert so early in the morning?

I squinted at my phone: “Critical water supply alert.”

Fully awake by now, I sat up to read the details.

A major water pipe break was affecting my city’s ability to provide water. The alert instructed everyone to cut back water use wherever possible.

Definitely an unexpected shock in a city where an abundance of clean drinking water is taken for granted. Our rivers never run dry. Yet suddenly our tap water was about to run out.

Over the following days, the city provided more specific instructions and information.

Outdoor water use was forbidden. Fines were issued. Voluntary indoor water use reduction was urged.

Don’t shower as often. Only run the dishwasher or laundry machine when it’s full. Use “grey water” to water plants. Don’t flush your toilet unless absolutely necessary.

We joined countless neighbours in turning the tap off while rubbing soap on our hands, and trying to use as little water as possible to boil pasta.

We were shaken by the realization that clean drinking water in our taps is a luxury, not guaranteed.

It became a common sight to see various bowls or plastic containers poised under drain spouts to catch rainwater for backyard gardens.

After several weeks, the pipe was repaired and life returned to normal, yet a question remained for me to ponder.

“What pipes do I rely on?”

Where do I find the umph to keep going? What do I turn to for happiness?

Pipes such as good health, friends, family, financial savings, a good job, or a pet, will eventually break, sometimes without warning.

What will I do then?

I am so thankful that I know of a pipe that will never break. It is the pipe that carries Living Water.

May Jesus be my source and my umph to keep going. He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5b-6)

Here’s a song that reminds me to ground my life in Jesus.

Build My Life by House Fires