Be Not Afraid

June 27, 2023June 26, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Enough said, but then, there’s more to explain.

Not having fear sounds like a great statement, but when it’s your dream, your sickness, or your child, it’s not always that simple.

Control seems easier and less unpredictable.

Having more faith and less fear seems like a great slogan to follow until it’s you who has to walk out on the water, weather the storm in the (seemingly) rickety boat, or step out on the tightrope of success and hope it holds.

Control seems more comfortable and less unreliable.

Yet, I have found in life experiences that no matter how intuitive I think I am, He always sees better.

I have found in all my days of leading, advising, sharing, no matter how capable I feel, He is always stronger and more able.

Control seems right through our carnal eyes,

But His ways are higher than my ways.

His thoughts are beyond my imagination.

And His love is beyond my recognition.

And so, I will trust Him, and I will follow.

I have found in my life that my heart is safer within His mighty hands than it ever was within my human ones.

And I will walk forward with faith.

I will move toward the goal with my focus on Him.

And even if I’m trembling within, I will trust He’s got this because He loves me beyond reason.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

Grief All Around

June 26, 2023June 26, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Tonight, I wrote five sympathy cards to friends who have lost a loved one recently.

Three of these were within the same family, and they had personally lost 3 family members among them.

And this is just after losing a son/nephew last year and a few more members the year before.

Another couple has lost their brother, cousin, nephew, great grandmother and a distant relative, all within just months of each other.

Yes. Those are each one, a different person, and relationship with said friends.

A third family lost their son, just over thirty years of age. He lived in the Midwest, and they had to take a plane to get to him.

My husband and I received an added message tonight from an old friend who sorely misses his wife who died several years ago. He just wants to see her again.

My family is also in this list of losses, as my own grandmother passed just weeks ago.

If I only looked at all these losses, my heart would be overwhelmed.

If I only looked at the tears, the weight inside would be unbearable.

Grief is hard.

Grief is exhausting.

Grief can be all consuming.

It’s what we do with it that makes the difference.

For me and for you.

A father, close to my age, lost two sons in a boating accident a short 11 years ago, and he shares his grief publicly to encourage others.

A wife shares her story of losing her law enforcement husband to his life in duty, and she gives others support, telling them they can and will survive.

A grandmother describes the last few years of her disabled mother’s life in desire to bring joy to others hearing how her mom always said, “I love you” with a smile to most anyone she met.

Grief is all around us.

If you don’t see it, it’s simply because your eyes are blinded.

If you don’t feel it, you may be oblivious or just plain self consumed.

I’m begging you to open your eyes.

I’m pleading with you to say a prayer.

I’m imploring you to look around and reach beyond self indulgences.

And grasp the hand of those bereaved, lost, or confused.

You never know whose life you might save,

Simply by giving a ray of hope in their dreary world.

Be the joy.

Be the peace.

Be the hope they desperately need.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Silly Saturday

June 24, 2023May 30, 2023 / The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

Funny Friday

June 23, 2023May 30, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Silent Healing

June 22, 2023June 22, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Sometimes, you just heal in silence.

It’s no one else’s story.

It’s no one else’s business.

You just keep moving forward.

Keep getting stronger.

Keeping succeeding.

Keep healing.

When you come through it, those who saw your wound will be amazed at the lessened scar.

When you survive, those who didn’t begin with you will nod in agreement to your strength.

When you are thriving, you will be rejoicing how far you’ve come and how far you’re ready yet to run.

Let the silence scream.

And heal on.

He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is consideredperceptive.
Proverbs 17:27-28

Dreaming of a Land Faraway

June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 / The WheatandTares

What countries do you want to visit?

There are a few countries to which I have already traveled, and a couple of them are already in my heart…

Ukraine, Africa and Romania

One day, I’d love to visit Ireland, Iceland, Scotland, New Zealand and Switzerland.

A few other dreamlands would be Norway, Italy, Argentina, and maybe Chile and Costa Rica.

How about you?

Where are your dreams taking you tonight?

Be Like Joan

June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Life is hard.

Surviving can be a struggle.

Take it on like a champ.

You were born for this.

Don’t be afraid.

Don’t hesitate.

Do not fear.

March on.

When you fall, get back up.

When you’re wounded, bandage it.

Shake of the pain and move forward.

You can do this.

You were made for this.

And bonus: when you’ve walked through the fire, and you’ve slain your dragon, there are those following.

And they need your victory.

So, be like Joan. Be not afraid.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Be Someone’s Hero

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 / The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

There are so many hurting and lost souls in this world.

Why would you ever want to become the one who wounds?

There are so many broken shattered lives all around.

Why would you ever want to become the abuser?

There are so many confused and controlled within our stories.

Why would you ever want to become an he one who brings the pain?

When you want to lash out, reach out in love.

When you want to return the cuts, give grace instead.

When you want to bring vengeance for the tears, give forgiveness and walk away.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean reconciliation is yielded.

Healing doesn’t always warrant reentry of the poison.

Be wise, but still forgive.

Be prudent, but still release the accused.

Holding them prisoner only brings the same guilt back to you.

Open that lock and barricade and let freedom reign.

Walk away to become someone else’s hero.

Move forward to create someone else’s ability to live.

Run toward purpose to become someone else’s hero and help slay someone else’s giant.

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”
1 Samuel 16:1-2