Every Single Seed

I Corinthians 3:6

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”

A seed is a source or beginning. A seed is a fertilized plant ovule containing an embryo capable of developing into a new plant.  Seeds collectively grow into flowers, trees, bushes, plants, grain, fruit and vegetables.  A seedling is a young newly developing plant.

If seeds are planted in the ground, what happens?  Do they die?  Are they buried never to be seen again?  No!  As we know, seeds turn into growing, living plants, trees, bushes, etc. that cover the earth in a variety of ways! 

Seeds turn into grain that feeds us.

Seeds turn into beautiful trees that may produce fruit of many flavors. 

Seeds turn into plants with vegetables that sustain us.

Seeds turn into trees that shade us.

Seeds grow in a variety of environments and atmospheres.

Seeds grow in a petry dish.

Seeds grow in a green house.

Seeds grow in the dirt.

Seeds grow into medicine that can heal us.

Isn’t it amazing that God gave us seeds of so many varieties that we have a plethora of growing, living, breathtaking parts of creation all around us every day?  Think about that!  

When was the last time you thanked God for a seed that grew into a luscious tomato that you enjoyed this past summer?  Or when was the last time you paused to be grateful for that shade tree in your backyard? We have so many reasons to give thanks!!!

And, think about the seed dying first.  We dig a hole, lay the seed deep in the earth, water it, fertilize it,  and up comes a tulip, a rose bush, a dogwood tree or a garden!  The seed has to die first, then life comes forth!

A seedling is a young, newly developing plant.  What new “seeds” have been buried in the dirt in your life?  What new plant had to push its way through a whole lot of dirt and soil to show you new growth?  What new growth has come out of that seed planted in your life?  What new “blossoms” have bloomed on your journey called life?  

Think about the awesome process of a seed growing into a plant or tree. It does not just happen overnight!

Yet, did you realize that every single seed has been given to us?  Every single seed has been planted for a reason.  Every single seed will grow and become an amazing part of creation and/or our heart.  If we let it. 

Another analogy is that we have a “seed” or gift that we can be thankful for every day: The gift of life through God’s Son, Jesus!  He was brought to earth (planted in a way) to teach us a million different things like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, but most of all forgiveness!  

Then, He died.  He was buried.  (Just like a seed.) And, the BEST part is that He rose from the dead and gives us NEW life every day!

What seeds are you cultivating???  Will you allow your heart to grow in the fruits of the Spirit?  Check out Galatians 5:22-23 and choose one “seed” you will grow or cultivate this year!  I choose JOY!  Imagine that!

Avoidance

 

Matthew 18:21

“Then, Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go?  As many as seven times?”

 

Avoidance……not a subject many people talk about, but many of us do on a daily basis!

What do you avoid?  Evade? Dodge? Put off?  I am not talking about procrastination – putting something off until later.  I am talking about avoiding a major issue, controversy and/or topic that needs to be addressed.

Our country is facing many topics that need to be addressed!!!  This is not a political argument I am trying to start.  This is reality.  So how do we start?  How do we address things that are very, very uncomfortable and heartbreaking?

I believe the definition of Acceptance which I learned from Al-Anon is one key factor.  I learned that acceptance is simple acknowledgement.  Without blame, without shame, without guilt and without regret.  It does NOT mean condoning bad behavior such as physical or verbal abuse. 

Rather, acceptance is simply acknowledging that something we really wanted to happen did not.  Or vice versa!  For example:  Divorce.  On the day I got married in 1980, was I planning on getting divorced 20 years later?  Absolutely not!  I was committing to a lifetime of love, or so I thought.  I did NOT want to get divorced, yet it happened and I must accept that it is so.  It still hurts, it still stings, and it still breaks my heart.  But it is reality in my world and my son’s.  We have learned to simply acknowledge that our life is different than what we expected.

So what are you trying to escape from?  Which hard conversation are you avoiding with your spouse, sibling, family member, friend, boss, and/or co-worker about an issue that has been plaguing your relationship for a long time?  How long will you keep away from and/or shun that person, or they shun you?  How long will you keep away from someone who loves you dearly, but you adamantly disagree with?  How long are you willing to be unyielding towards others?  How long to you want to be “right?” (IF you are!)

I have heard of family members who do not talk for 9-10 years over an argument they had.  Some have gone 20-25 years over a divide in philosophy or ideals.  Is it really worth losing a family member or friend because you are not willing to yield and try to understand the opposite side? Why retreat for that long?

If possible, consider the definition of acceptance becoming part of who you are and how you respond.  Simple acknowledgement.  Without blame.  Without shame.  Without guilt.  Without regret.  Then, go and make amends with that person.  Forgiveness is amazing!  

Panic

 

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

 

Have you ever had a panic attack?  It is a sudden overwhelming feeling of fear.  It can be very frightening and scary!  Something may startle you or send a signal of alarm through your whole body – it can even cause a stampede of emotions!

So how do we deal with them?  Can we prevent them?  It is not an easy subject, but they can be tamed.  Learning to cope with these types of panic attacks, is handled slowly - not overnight.  And, with the help from a counselor they can be overcome.  Practicing healthy reactions and possibly sharing these feelings in a journal can begin a journey of recovery from panic attacks.  Or, sharing these panic experiences with a trusted friend may help you get to a point of dealing with them and having them subside over time.

Remember, panic is an alarm system within you that tells you that something is not quite right.  Your instincts may be spot on!  Or, they might be future fears looming too largely in our view.  Check your reality.  Is the fear real?  If so, do what you need to do to be safe.  Or, is the fear more of a speculation of what might occur?  If it is speculation, allow yourself to come back to the present moment and realize you are safe.  Tell yourself that you are okay and that there is nothing to fear.

The next time a panic attack pops up out of the blue, take a few deep, deep breaths.  Slow your pace.  If you’re dizzy, sit down.  If tunnel vision occurs, sit quietly until it goes away.  If you experience chest pain, then definitely call a doctor ASAP. If you get nauseated, try a cracker.  Hot/Cold flashes can occur as well.  Allow them to pass.  Sweating can be a real issue at times, but again, this too shall pass.  If you get tingling, burning or a prickling in your toes or fingers, let it subside.  If these simple remedies do not work, please seek a professional! 

Many times, a panic attack will make a person want to flee the unwelcome feelings of panic.  Sometimes, a person wants to fight back and face the feeling head on.  “Fight or flight” reactions are normal in this situation.  If your perception is altered by what is or is not real, then call your counselor and talk it over.  Again, as soon as you are able to talk to a counselor and work through the issues at hand, the better it will be for you.

I am not a counselor, nor profess to be one who can cure panic attacks.  These are just a few ideas that may help you learn to cope over time.  What I do know is that we have a healer that is available 24/7.  That healer is God.  He is right by your side every minute of every day.  He is closer than your breath.  One of my favorite ways to overcome feelings like these panic thoughts and feelings is to trust in God’s CALM presence which surrounds me.

 

CALM = Comforting, Almighty, Loving, Majestic.  This is an acronym I created at a time in my life, when panic attacks and fear had a strong hold on my heart.  I learned over time that God’s calm presence can overcome any fear, any attack, and any frightening  or overwhelming feeling.  And, I also had an incredible counselor who is still a friend of mine today.  Thank you, Beth!!!

Don’t delay!  Allow yourself the time and space needed to overcome these feelings of panic.  Call a counselor and let them help you work through all those fears.  And, allow yourself to be comforted by a Majestic God whose loving arms wants to enfold you.

 

Song: Peace by Bethel Music and We the Kingdom