Gratitude not greed

It’s a fine line, this balance between gratitude and greed.

To be thankful for what God has placed in my care, but not to want more than He has supplied.

It isn’t an easy thing for me.

Because too often I’ve placed my security or my identity in what I had.

God doesn’t give me anything to replace His space in my heart, so when I find myself slipping into greed, it’s telling me my heart isn’t right.

As I walk with Him, I’m learning how to be thankful for the things and people He places in my life, but to treasure only that which is eternal.

Saturday was an opportunity for me.

Handsome, had brought home an old wooden ladder, which he intended to burn.

I saw it and told him I wanted it.

He was surprised, but didn’t burn it.

Our son put it in the garden.

I’ve been asking the Lord what to do about my herbs.

My plan had been to have them closer to the house rather than down at the garden.

Unfortunately, I reckoned without the deer in mind.

This past week they ate one of my roses and this caused me to rethink my plan.

When I saw the ladder it seemed to be an answer to my prayers.

I’d been asking the Lord what to do as I didn’t make a bed in the garden for herbs.

Pictures of old ladders with cute galvanized buckets full of herbs on each step came to mind, things I’ve seen on the internet.

When we needed to go to town for chicken bedding I asked my husband if we could get herbs as well, which he readily agreed to.

After picking out which herbs I wanted, I went to buy galvanized buckets.

They were tiny and expensive.

So, I signed to my husband, “What do you think?”

He signed back, “You should pray about it.”

I did, but I couldn’t get peace with purchasing those expensive buckets just to hold herbs on an old ladder.

I walked over to look at the plastic pots.

These were much more reasonable, but I couldn’t get peace about how many to purchase.

I knew my husband was waiting on me and I was getting frustrated with myself, so I just stopped trying to guess and asked God to tell me what to get.

Three plastic pots.

I felt a little concerned as I had six plants, but I grabbed three pots.

The color didn’t seem right, so I prayed again and put those back, picking up some light grey ones.

I didn’t really understand what God was doing, but I wasn’t going to buy something I didn’t have peace with.

We purchased our six herbs, three pots, and three packs of marigolds(I remembered I needed those too) and left.

At home, I started with the marigolds, because those were for the perimeter of the garden to deter bugs.

I’d planted seeds, but so far they’ve not come up and since the frost got my other seedlings I thought those might have died too.

I ended up with one marigold I wasn’t sure where to place, but felt I shouldn’t worry about it and to just continue with what I had.

I placed the lavender in the garden near the fence where it can spread out, because I want it to be a permanent resident.

Both oregano plants went in plastic pots as did the spearmint.

I still had two basil plants and wasn’t sure what to do with them.

As I prayed for direction I remembered the metal coffee cans left by the previous owners.

Placing each herb on the ladder was fun, but the top looked a little bare and I still had the lone marigold to deal with.

My husband turned up at this juncture and I showed him everything.

When I got to the leftover marigold, I asked if he had any old coffee cans I could use.

“No, but hang on. I have something else.”

He returned with an old metal bucket, perfect for my need.

I planted the marigold and added it to the top of the ladder.

Now there is this cute and functional herb space which is safe from the deer.

But it’s not a treasure, it’s just something I’m grateful to God for.

The real treasure is the lesson of trusting God and waiting upon His direction in something so unimportant.

Because I truly believe if I can learn to be faithful in the little things, that is a treasure.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19‭-‬21 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for continuing to remind me of what treasure truly is. Thank You for showing me another example of how You know exactly what You are doing and my responsibility is to trust and obey You. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit which speaks to my heart and leads me in Your paths. Lord, please continue to teach me what it is You have for me each day and walk me forward into Your truth in this day. Lord, Please help me to overcome worry, as I know it is a sin and not honoring You. Please continue to teach this heart how to surrender fully. Lord, please place a guard over my lips, that I might not sin against You or others. Please place a hedge of protection around me and my family, that we might not fall prey to the enemy. Lord, please continue to shine brightly to those around us, encouraging our fellow follower and giving hope to those who have yet to know You. I love You, Jesus. Thank You. Amen.

Stuff

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15 NLT

Because our possessions can be a blessing or a snare.

For those who are called by Christ’s name, it is vital we realize nothing belongs to us.

Not even ourselves.

Psalm 100:3 NKJV — Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Thus, whatever we have or do not have, is not where our trust, our value, or our provision comes from.

For followers of Christ, our security, our identity, our salvation comes from Jesus alone.

John 15:5 KJV — I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

That’s why Jesus taught his disciples not to worry about material possessions.

Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV — “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

The key is trusting God with all and living daily with gratitude.

Instruction on how to do these things are found in God’s Word, which is also where we find the warning to guard against the trap greed

It is a dangerous and slippery slope.

Once the choice is made, although possibly unconsciously, what is solid and secure slides quickly into a never ending burning desire for more.

Jesus’s freedom from sin means we need not live in such captivity.

When we realize sin has tripped us up in any area, Jesus offers forgiveness and encouragement to repent and turn away from this self destruction.

The choice lies with us.

Do we repent and turn away from sin or do make excuses to try and hold on to just enough to get categorized as “fence sitters”?

Jesus’s words make it obvious what is truly valuable.

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:21 NLT

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for salvation. Lord, please help me to guard against greed and the cares of this world. Lord, thank You for the opportunity to learn from Your Word what is of worth. Lord Jesus, thank You so much for salvation and the hope of heaven. Please help me to be a good steward with the stuff You have placed in my care, help me never forget it is Yours, not mine. Lord, please keep me from pride, that I might not sin against You. Lord, please continue to help me to trust You for daily needs and to walk in Your truth with joy. Thank You, Lord for so many opportunities to learn and to grow closer to You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Sorting through

Breakables waiting for the yard sale.

There’s something very healthy about cleaning out and paring down.

It reminds me of thinning a fruit tree.

It’s dangerous for a tree to have too much weight on a limb.

Proper thinning helps the tree bear fruit without damaging it.

As I’ve been thinning out our belongings, it has struck me, it is healthy, both physically and spiritually.

Because with each thing I go through I pray and ask the Lord what His will for that is.

Yesterday, I came across a tote of old decorations.

There were leftover table scarves, glass candle sticks, and pennant banners.

Some from our daughters’ graduation parties, some from their bridal showers, and some from our daughter’s baby shower.

Many memories, but most of the stuff is no longer needed.

Who knows, maybe another family is in need of party decorations.

So, I put those things in the yard sale box with a smile.

At one point in my life letting go of that kind of thing would have been a struggle, but my trust in God has grown.

He’s taught me so much about clinging only to Him.

I’m so thankful.

There’s a beautiful freedom, a lifted burden, when we cling to God and let Him carry everything else.

His Word is truth:

Matthew 11:30 KJV — For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Lord, thank You for helping me learn to trust You. Lord, how grateful I am for Your patience with me. I’m a very slow learner, Lord, but I am willing to learn. Thank You for Your faithfulness in all things. Lord Jesus, I so want others to find the truth in Your Word as well. I want others to understand the beautiful blessings of a relationship with You, how real treasure is never stuff. The enduring treasure of salvation and a heart at peace in You is the most valuable thing of all. Lord, please reach those who have yet to know You. Please continue to teach me and other believers what You want us to learn: trust, faith, mercy, grace, and love. Lord, please help us to walk in these things and to grow in understanding of the season we live in. Lord, please guide us in Your truth daily. I love You, Jesus. Amen

Yard sale stories

Yesterday was an adventure.

It was one of the fastest mornings I’ve had in a while.

People showed up over an hour early.

Loads of chit-chat happened.

I had people show me pictures on their phone of their “prize” items.

I met more neighbors than I have since we moved here.

One of whom, kindly posted our Yard Sale on a local events app I’d never heard of.

We had moments of embarrassment.

Near the beginning, when I was feeling stressed, I tried to give change to a lady, who still owed me money.

She was very sweet about it, and I took money off her bill since she could have taken advantage of my error and didn’t.

I thanked her for her honesty.

One gentleman seemed to be rather rough with things, caught me looking at him.

He apologized.

When he came over to make a purchase I realized why he seemed to be rough.

His hands shook a as he handed me the money.

I felt bad.

There were a few moments of connection.

A retired couple were purchasing some toys.

The lady explained how they had four children, 13 grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Then she began to tell us about her granddaughter who was scheduled for an early c-section due to problems with the baby.

My heart just hurt as I listened to the details.

Sis was sitting next to me listening as well.

When she finished, no words came, I just felt blank with the pain this woman was obviously feeling.

The pain in her eyes was deep.

God didn’t give me anything to say.

Instead, He spoke through our oldest.

“We will be praying for her and the baby!”

I seconded that and the woman walked away.

There were other people God put in our path.

A gentleman who was recovering from hip surgery and his wife came.

They bought a library table.

Our son helped them load it.

As they drove off we noticed a tote with a bungee cord holding down the lid, sitting in the road.

They’d taken it out of the truck to put in the table and forgot to put it back.

I had our son move it next to the house.

I prayed for them to realize what had occurred.

And He answered.

They returned in the late afternoon.

There was another couple who wanted to purchase Sis’s hide-a-bed couch.

They asked questions, looked it over, opened it up.

They decided to “think about it” but wanted my number.

Later, I noticed two missed calls from the same number.

It was them and they wanted the couch, but…

“We don’t have any way to get it to our house and we don’t have the space ready for it yet. Can you deliver it?”

I assured them we could.

They came back later to pay for it and I heard her telling Sis:

“I was just saying this morning to my husband, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we found a hide-a-bed?’.”

She smiled and finished with, “Well, be careful what you pray for.”

I had to smile.

It’s true, we should be careful what we pray for.

Careful because God deserves our attention, our thoughtful requests, our love and devotion.

Not careful because He might give us something we actually don’t want.

Matthew 7:11 NKJV — “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

God is trustworthy.

Let us be careful to ask for things which are truly valuable.

James 1:5 NKJV — If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your Word. Please continue to help us be a blessing while we move things on to new owners. Lord, You alone know what each one needs. Please speak to us about trusting You and not forging ahead in our own wisdom. Please shine Your truth upon our hearts and minds. Thank You for another beautiful day. Thank You for Your love. We praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

Dealing with the stuff

With these days of prep for the yard sale, I’ve been stretched.

Something I struggle with is holding on to things.

Even as a child, I struggled with this.

As long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with this “stuff”.

God has been so gracious and patient with me.

He has taken me through times of extreme need.

He has walked me through downsizing, multiple times.

He has proven in miraculous ways.

He has taught me that things are never going to fix anything.

Currently, we are in a new season.

Last fall my husband started a small furniture business.

But with the furniture came other things as well.

Used items which were still in good condition.

We donated a bunch straight off, but some other things needed to be sorted out.

That took a while.

Now, with the good weather, we are selling all kinds of stuff.

And this new season of things is a little baffling to me.

Because God hasn’t had me follow my past ways of handling things.

This requires a lot of time, prayer, and patience.

Instead, I’m learning a new way to deal with stuff.

And it’s brought me back to realizing two things:

1st my flesh is greedy and I need to be on my guard against this.

2nd God can use anything or many things to teach me to cling to Him and nothing else.

Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV — And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for this command. Thank You that You are giving us the gift of life, contentment, peace, and true joy in these words. When I focus upon You and Your truth with every part of me, I find all I need and all I want. Lord, it is when I leave off following You with a whole heart that I get into trouble and become confused or depressed or discouraged. Lord, thank You for telling us how to live, that we might not pierce ourselves through with many sorrows. Lord Jesus, following You is not easy, it goes against my flesh, against the culture, and against the enemy, but great is Your faithfulness! I know You chose that which was difficult, to be our Savior. Please help me to choose it as well, each day, to walk in Your ways and to love You with all of me. Thank You for Your faithfulness, truth, protection, wisdom, understanding, justice, goodness, righteousness, and salvation. I could continue speaking Your praises day and night and never come to the end! I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

Not impressed

“If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.”
Psalms 50:12 KJV

God isn’t impressed by our stuff.

He’s given it all to us.

Every detail of the things we label as belonging to us, actually are His.

So, when we make things or give to others, we need to remember not to look to God as if we are trying to impress Him.

He’s the reason we can create or be generous.

You can never pay God to get what you want.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Psalms 51:17 KJV

He’s also not impressed by our works.

Service to God as a means of earning His favor are worthless.

God has nothing He needs.

Instead He simply wants our friendship, our love, our surrender to His perfect will.

What are the motives behind service to God?

If they are anything but a broken and a contrite heart,

God isn’t impressed.

But, He knows our limited understanding.

He cares about our lives.

He wants communion with each person.

He doesn’t want us to try to impress Him.

He wants the best gift anyone could ever give,

their heart.