Lessons Learned

How Many Roses Do You Count?

/ The WheatandTares

The old adage says, “Stop and smell the roses.”

And I like to add, “Stop and smell and then, count the roses.”

When you stop and encounter the beauty, it causes you to pause and reflect.

Yet, when you stop, encounter, and inhale, you not only pause and reflect, but it causes you to also embrace the reflection.

So, I wonder how many roses do we actually stop to count?

Take a minute to pause today. Or take a few more.

Smell the fragrance.

Reflect on the beauty.

And then, look around you and embrace all of its majesty.

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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.

Matthew 6:28-33

Is the Tunnel Lit?

/ The WheatandTares

Too often, we get tunnel vision, and we can’t see beyond the destination.

But sometimes, we need to pause. Take a step back and let a little more light in.

With more light comes clarity.

With more light come purpose.

With more light comes Truth.

For Truth is Light, and light pierces the darkness.

Let the Light shine in today.

It will bring forth a better tomorrow.

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:5

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Keep Walking Tall

/ The WheatandTares

No matter where you are on the trail, keep walking.

No matter how you feel, keep walking.

No matter who’s around, keep walking.

Just keep moving, keep going forward.

You can do this. You can make it.

Don’t worry about finishing first or finishing best.

Those things come in time.

Sometimes, you just need to focus on finishing.

Do it. And you’ll be glad you did.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:7-8

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20-21

When You Feel Small

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

All of us go through the struggle of feeling less than.

Less that perfect.

Less than amazing.

Less than good.

Less than we should be.

Never let those moments of low convince you to quit.

Never let those minutes of doubt persuade you to quit.

It’s natural. We’ve all been there.

But the great heroes in this world never let the failure consume them.

The courageous leaders we see never let the darkness overtake without lighting a match.

So, strike that wood. Let it spark.

And even if you have to blow in the embers,

Let the flame burn.

And keep standing taller.

You’ll eventually get there.

You can do this!

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Breathe In Deep

/ The WheatandTares

Take a minute to breathe today.

Breathe in deep.

Breathe in the fresh air.

Breathe in peace and serenity.

Breathe in sanity.

Breathe in goodness and grace.

Take a minute and regroup from all the chaos.

You will see better.

You will hear better.

And you will live better.

Just breathe again, and let your mind be consumed with the beauty that is before you.

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt

/ The WheatandTares

How does the heart reach when it only wants to recede?

How does the hand soothe when it only wants to clinch?

How does the soul breathe when it only wants to grieve?

The pain can sear the most vibrant minds.

The agony can halt the most passionate tongues.

The brokenness can sever the most intricate of dreams.

How does the path become cleared from the haze of confusion and chaos?

One step in front of the other.

Smiling when a frown would be more convenient.

Looking to the eyes when alluding would be more tolerable.

Gazing with love instead of hatred and realizing if you don’t, you’ll become the very things that have broken you.

And taking it to the feet of Jesus again and again, because without Him, none of this is even possible.

Then, get up anew each day and do it all over again.

So, go ahead.

Live life in your anger, bitterness and pain.

Or love like you’ve never been hurt.

Because His pain was so much greater, and He has still loved us.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

Luke 23:34

Be the Hero That You Are

/ The WheatandTares

Stand up.

Stand tall.

Stand proud.

You mean something to someone.

And you can make a difference!

Seize the moment.

Be present.

Love, guide, confront, guide and nurture.

Reach a life to change a life.

You can do this.

Because there’s a hero inside of you just waiting to fly.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Strength Will Come in Time

/ The WheatandTares

When you’re feeling weary, ragged and beaten, it’s hard to remember better days.

When pain consumes your heart, it’s difficult to have clear vision beyond the moment.

When you’ve been stabbed, betrayed, accused, and shattered, it’s grueling to look past the shattered dreams.

Yet, just beyond the horizon, the sun is readying it’s radiance.

Just beyond the forest, the brilliance will be peeking through.

When you feel it’s warmth and affection, strength will be revived.

When you see it’s radiance in full, hope will be renewed.

Hold still.

He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10

Tomorrow Brings Healing

/ The WheatandTares

The saying goes, “Time heals all wounds.”

The truth is in the clock that is ticking and the hand that is scratching.

If the hours are sped up, the wound cannot mend itself and breathe.

If the hours are slowed, the agony can be unbearable.

If the fingers pester and pick, the cut cannot strengthen and bind.

If the hand never soothes, the bruise will still groan.

But if the hour glass does its duty, and the palms will appease,

The lesion is quickly dissipated, and the scar will begin to appear.

So, don’t stop the minutes.

Never withhold the care.

These are vital for our healing and our reviving.

Tomorrow will soon be here.

Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:8

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Reflections of the Soul

/ The WheatandTares

Are you one to reflect or to react?

Are you one to shout or to soothe?

Are you one to pause and breathe or to stomp and run?

In high profile training operations, the first rule of explosive response, or any violent attack on a unit, is to assess yourself before assessing others.

For, if you don’t take the time to evaluate your bullet entry and see your blood,

You cannot accurately see or help to heal the one beside you.

In this life, you will have trouble.

You will have pain, and you will have sudden impalements to the soul.

How you respond and retaliate will determine how many others you can help save and heal.

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30:6