Rain was headed our way, so my husband and I removed the tarps from our vegetable garden that was temporarily placed out for the freezing nights. As I began heading back inside the house, I noticed that I had forgot to remove a thick blanket that was protecting some of the broccoli and other young greens.

This was a big deal, because if I would have left it during a heavy downpour, the weight of the wet blanket would break the leaves and possibly the entire tender plants.

God began to use this as an illustration on how I do that same thing at times, by placing such a big expectation (a thick blanket) on those that are young in the faith. And now that I look back, I am sure that the weight (of the wet blanket) may have stunted someone’s growth because of expecting more (a full-size plant) than they were ready (or pressured) to hold up under (much like the tender plants).

I am reminded that good intentions can cause great harm.

The Holy Spirit spoke this to me: “Don’t expect more from others than God expected out of you, because no matter how much you think you know or ways you try to practice in doing right, there’s still a lot more growing that you have left to do. God will take care of how much burden you can handle, and He also knows how to take care of others that are growing!” Great advice from the Holy Spirit.

~Question: “Is there someone that you might be guilty of expecting too much out of, without even realizing?”

The Bible says in Matthew 23:4 “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.“

Are there phrases that you despise?

When my daughters were growing up, they hated when I would say, “Get over it!” But have you ever concluded that’s all some people may understand? My kids knew those words meant – that was the end of the discussion. And they also knew that there was nothing that could be said or done that would change my mind. It was the only way I could nip-it, so to speak.

As an adult, I do recall hearing that same phrase as it was directed towards me, whether blatantly or indirectly. I have felt it’s cold and harsh sting. But because I used those words or thought them myself, it was easier for me to understand that there were some things that I just needed to accept.

For instance, when Paul wrote to the Philippians and said, “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for what God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” That pretty much sums up the answer to a lot of dilemma’s.

There are some things I’ve had to nip and some that have been nipped for me, but either way, I get what Paul is saying when he claimed he knew to forget what all has taken place in the past and just move on. That word “Press” says a lot!

On some occasions my “No” was because I had something better planned for the kids, I just couldn’t tell them until the time was right. Which also meant that they couldn’t keep pouting and dwelling on what they hoped for, and they needed to get their focus on the task at hand.  

God has a destination for His children, and although there will be things that bring us value as we continue to reach the goal for the cause of Christ, there will also be much that tries to hold our mind directly on what is worthless. The Lord may be gentler when He wants us to get over something, but there will also be times that we may have to just nip what holds us back so we can press on!

~Question: “Is there something that God has tried to help you get-over, but you keep looking behind?”

The Bible says in Philippians 3:15 “Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.“

I was recently telling my daughter of someone’s love for his former girlfriend. It had developed long years after a divorce with his wife. The young woman broke up with him because of her diagnosis with some health issues and she knew she had a long road of recovering ahead and did not want this challenge to affect his life, especially knowing the chances were very slim that she would fully recover.

In this talk about true love, we reminisced of his former wife and their relationship also, and how he kept taking her back, time and time again. The issues had reached an all-time high, yet he kept thinking that she would change one day and come to her senses. I’m unsure of who initiated the divorce in their marriage (and that’s beside the point), because to this day, I still know that his love for her never changed. Although she eventually remarried and moved on, I genuinely believe if she needed help, he would still have been there for her and do what he could, whether married to someone else or not, (on both sides).

As I continued talking to my daughter about this story, it reminded me of the Prophetic book called Hosea. If you are familiar with this story, you are shaking your head right now about this truth. Through this prophet the Lord warned the people to stop their promiscuity, idolatry, iniquity, and other sins, and return to Him in humility and faithfulness. Hosea also reminded the people of the Lord’s grace, love, patience, and provision. God was their true hope, and He was willing to have great compassion and redeem them from their unrighteousness and restore the covenant between Him and them.  

This is still true today; the Lord wants nothing more than to care for those who are His. When I thought about the kind of love this man still has for his former wife, and the young woman he once courted that broke ties due to her illness, all I could think about was this is how love is supposed to be extended. Right?

Whether man or woman, any of us can get caught up in making bad choices or be unwilling to allow God to be by our side. Could it be that we don’t even realize the Lord is trying to love us in this way? Do we get our focus on selfish desires or on our problems so much that we resist in allowing God to offer His guidance or grace?

His love is perfect, and we can find restoration when we have fallen short, and no matter what trial we face He is there to carry us through, if we would rest in His love. It’s not like any other, and we can be blessed to experience it daily.

~Question: “Do you allow yourself to accept this loving-kindness from God? Or is this reality hard to attain?“

The Bible says in Hosea 2:19-20 “I will betroth (take) you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy. I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.“

The older I get, the more I despise a troublemaker. Although I try my best not to cause issues for anyone, I have been known to do so, without those intentions. But I have learned one major way to invite trouble as well. It involves three words that I recall asking myself years ago. And on that very day, I began rehearsing that question over and over in my mind.

“Does anybody care?”

Let me remind you that this question is an open invitation to a party that is dark, dreary and hopeless. It is also a place that you don’t have to go. It is a set-up just waiting to bring self-inflicting pain that is created by a double mind. Yes, it is a mind-set, and we all know how easy it is to have the wrong perspective, especially this day and time.

Before I knew it, the Holy Spirit began speaking to my heart, and it changed everything! The Bible tells us that Jesus says if we abide in His Word, you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free. But did you see the key? It’s in really knowing His Word and allowing it to unlock the prison that you created.

I encourage you today that if you are riding on that emotion of thinking no one cares, please know that His Word says, “Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” I have learned that as a fact. What an extra-dose of encouragement from Peter in the New Testament.

~Question: “Are you willing to believe Jesus meant what He said in John 8:32”? 

Read John 8:31-36

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast ALL your anxiety on Him because He cares for YOU!”

During the spring I asked my husband to purchase a water hose for my vegetable garden. When he returned, he immediately began stretching it out. Then, he so kindly hooked it up for me. I didn’t say it, but a thought came to me that I learned from my father. Countless times he would say, “The best way to do something is to do it yourself!” I wondered, why on earth didn’t he buy the best quality hose that would last longer and always roll out without any kinks.

Over the years, I can honestly say that I’ve learned that having that mind set can cost in the long run. Whether it was telling my children to skip their chores, refusing for someone to volunteer to push the mower and help, or letting someone volunteer to help in the garden. I’ve always practiced a determination to get the job done right. And who better to do that?

Eventually, I paid for all my hard efforts physically, and in more ways than I can count. I should have let others try their hand at learning some skills, and saved myself a trip to the chiropractor. But when I gave in and allowed help, I recall on many occasions when people didn’t meet my standard or make perfect timing, I would say something I shouldn’t.

Have you ever made anyone feel like their best wasn’t good enough? A child, your older children or maybe your spouse?

If we were to say that phrase to God, I don’t believe that He would be pleased, do you? Do you think that’s what we say without saying it, when we take matters into our hands? I’m sure Jesus would give me a personal illustration about getting the kinks out of my own hose.

It’s a fact that some people are lazy, slack, sloppy, and with no work ethics or even those that have a negative outlook on life, and on those occasions, it can be hard to bite one’s tongue. But if I slow down and take the time to reflect, I can see the best way to do something is to allow the Holy Spirit to do it through us.

~Question: “Does your actions prove that you must think you know the best way to do something?”

The Bible says in Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”