Learning to Forgive

March 13, 2023 / The WheatandTares

It’s easy to tell someone to forgive until you’re the one who is wronged.

It easy to tell someone to forgive until you’re the one who is falsely accused.

It’s easy to urge that one to forgive until it’s your baby who’s wounded.

It’s easy to urge that one to forgive until it’s your baby who’s wrenching in pain.

It’s easy to say forgive when it’s not you seeking justice.

It’s easy to say forgive when it’s not you seeking revenge.

But when it is you…

But when it is yours…

But when it is all encompassed in your house, your home, your heart…

That’s when the Golden Rule isn’t so clear.

That‘s when the “seventy times seventy” is harder to reciprocate.

Yet, He said it for a reason.

He said it for your freedom.

He said it for your release.

For when you truly forgive, regardless of the apology, that is when you are truly free.

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

Friendships Worth Keeping

March 9, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Sometimes, we hang onto friendships that are so shallow, they are never beneficial in the difficult season of life.

Sometimes, we keep close those friends who are fun and exciting, but the depth to their soul leaves a gaping hole in our tragic moments.

Sometimes, we nurture the relationships that are too toxic, worrisome or meaningless and we let the truthful, deep and most important ones slip through our fingers like grains of sand.

Take a minute today to look around you.

Reevaluate. Take a deeper glance.

See who’s there and who needs to be.

Cherish those who will walk through fire with you.

Treasure those who will pull you out of the fire.

And chase after those who are carrying the torched lamp into your darkness when you can’t see.

Don’t let them get out of your sight.

A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17

Knee Deep Waters

March 7, 2023 / The WheatandTares

There’s a song by Kathy Mattae, “Standing Knee Deep In A River.” She talks about friendships that we take for granted, and we let them slip on by.

As I grow older, I realize this is a hard truth that many of us either recognize early enough to rescue the few that may remain, or we acknowledge way too late that they’re already gone.

Friendships that are found to be easy and never have “a bump in the road,” a confrontation, or a season where questions arise if it’s really worth it to keep going, are truthfully, not those knee deep waters.

Knee deep water is when you can still jump around and splash, but one slip, and you’ll be under water fast.

Knee deep water is when you can still feel secure in your footing, but let the current get a little faster, and that footing will be tested and reevaluated.

Knee deep water is when you can choose to go a little deeper, explore a little more, or you can choose to step back in the shallow, safer waters and not take the risk.

Knee deep waters is when real friendships learn to survive.

Friendships that are made to last will be found more valuable and cherished when those waters rise.

What kind of friendships are you keeping today?

It might be one that will be a lifeline to your survival tomorrow…

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

Monday Fun

March 6, 2023 / The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Sometimes, especially on Monday mornings, you’ve got to remind yourself whose circus you’ll attend and whose monkeys you’ll attempt to tame.

Sometimes, especially on Mondays, you need to remind yourself that only your circus is worth watching and certainly only one due your hard earned money (time and effort) for the tickets.

And sometimes, especially on a Monday, you’ll have to remind yourself that although, those monkeys at that other person’s circus might look entertaining, rest assured…

THEY WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!!

Get out while you still can and go tame your own raucous monkeys!

Happy Monday!

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:33-34

Know Who Your Friends Are

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Too many people in this world bite, ridicule and wound those closest to them who care the most.

Too many people in this world viciously attack the ones who love them the most because they’re willing to speak truth.

Too many people don’t know who their friends are and walk away from the best.

Too many people embrace the toxic, the loud, and the angry, believing because “they’re family,” that’s what they’re suppose to do.

Too many people hold onto a bloodline that kicks them around and demands they be a doormat when they should say goodbye and not look back.

Too many people keep close those whom should be released and let go of those whom should be captivated.

Look around. Evaluate. Be honest.

Don’t stay out of obligation, fear or routine.

Don’t walk away out of rage, envy or apathy.

Open your eyes to see clearly and hear with precision.

Make wise choices, and make calculated decisions.

You can do this.

And the next generation is depending on you to do it right.

They are watching and waiting.

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
1 Samuel 18:1-4

Being an Effective Leader

March 1, 2023 / The WheatandTares

To be an effective leader, you’ve got to have the temperament of both a lion and a lamb.

If you are only portrayed as a lion, you will be fierce, fearless and free.

But you can also be too sharp, intimidating and terrifying.

If you are only portrayed as a lamb, you will be calm, cautious and caring.

But you can also be too hesitant, timid and fragile.

Oh. But to have a beautiful balance of both characteristics of the lion and the lamb, you will be effective, encouraging and excellent.

Boldness without love turns to arrogance.

Courage without caution turns to recklessness.

Freedom without awareness (of others) turns to abuse and neglect.

Let’s be the leaders we were meant to be.

And if we are Christians, let’s simply follow the example our God set before us of being both the Lion and the Lamb.

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:5