seeds.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Time for Everything

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
 a time to be born, and a time to die;a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal;a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose;a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew;a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate;a time for war, and a time for peace.

Almost twenty years ago, I memorized Ecclesiastes 3 for my senior declamation at The Webb School.  I stood before my classmates and recited the whole chapter of Ecclesiastes 3.  Little did I know twenty years later this would be the verses I would come to this morning.

As I was running this morning and listening to my tunes, praying, casting my burdens on the Lord, it struck me: I am in a time of plenty.

How did I get here to this place of plenty?  Why does it look like this right now?  Will it be taken from me tomorrow?  How will I survive?  It is still kind of messy in the plenty.  Is that ok?  What am I going to do with the seeds?

 "This is my prayer in the harvestWhen favor and providence flowI know I'm filled to be emptied againThe seed I've received I will sow"Hillsong United. 

How will I react to the emptying?  I can't be scared of being emptied.  I just can't.  This is where His seeds are planted.  In the emptying.  And I have been empty.  He has been faithful to plant them carefully with His skillful Hand.  These seeds have taken root.  It takes watering these seeds to grow.  Sometimes they don't get watered.  I know what that looks like too.  But, He still takes the dry and moistens the soil and I continue to grow.  There are weeds of course.  And they are ugly.  But all the while, He continues to hold me in the Palm of His Hand.  Plucking the weeds and planting more seeds.  And filling me.  He brings the rain.  He brings the sunshine.  He brings the fertilizer.  He brings the lawn mower.  He brings the weed eater.  He brings the shears.  He also brings fences.  Actually, He is building a fortress around my heart.  Sewing up the holes that have been there a long, long time.  So, here I am.  How can I takes these seeds that He has given me and sow them?  Two things strike me:  Prayer and Praise.  I feel led to start a prayer blog.  A place where I can go to pray for people.  A place where I can go to put my specific prayers.  A place where I can put my praises.  A place where others can put their prayer requests.  A place where others can put their praises.  A place of refuge.  A place where you can be anonymous.  A place where you have a name.  It doesn't matter.      What do you think, my peeps?  How about a name?  Not so good with the name thingy.  So, please help me out with suggestions.  I am excited.  Pumped.  How about a giveaway?    The winner will get to choose.  A cross painting, done by yours truly or little rosette barrettes (or headband. or key chain.)  I will posts pics soon.  You won't be disappointed.  Well, maybe you will;)  So, please pass along.  Facebook.  Email.  Twitter.  Blog.  Whatevah  floats your boat:)  This will be a place where we can take our burdens and lay them at the foot of the Cross.  Over and Out.  Love y'all.