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

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

Grief … Part 495

June 14, 2023September 21, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Grief can be like a bull in the field.

He looks all nice and cozy, chewing his cud, minding his own business.

But don’t get too close, or you’ll feel his horns.

That bull goes about his day, grazing, watching, or just lazing around.

But you get into his sight, and he’s liable to gorge you.

That bull has a family, or maybe he’s a loner.

Leave him alone.

Don’t prod him.

Don’t prick him.

And certainly, don’t pet him.

He’s there to do his thing, and he will come and go as he pleases.

Just keep your eyes on him.

Never let him out of your peripheral view.

For that is when he will sneak up for the kill.

And you’ll be fortunate to survive the pounding.

Let him roam.

And keep your vision clear.

Learn from every encounter but try not to remain.

He will move on down the pasture when it’s time; although, he will always be there.

Just let him roam further and further.

But never let him out of your sight.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 3-7

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
2 Corinthians 12:7

Taglines are Interesting

June 12, 2023June 12, 2023 / The WheatandTares

If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

If my life had a tagline, it would be #complicated.

Sometimes, it might be #gentle and #mild.

But it would never be #overbearing and #rude.

It might be #fierce and #courageous one day

And #meek and #hesitant the next.

It could even be #growing and #growling

But it hopefully wouldn’t be #biting and #gnashing.

Although it will always be #repenting and #forgiving, #forgiven and #purified.

And it would definitely always be

#JACKEDUPLIKEEVERYONEELSE

But yet #savedbygracealone.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10

Is She a Keeper?

June 1, 2023May 29, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Find that one who will be there when tough times come.

Find that one who will show up in the rain and ride the tide.

Find that one who will remain when everyone else walks out.

Find her or him, and don’t stop till you do.

Don’t settle for second best.

Don’t settle for leftovers.

Seek till you find and don’t rest till you do.

It’s worth it.

I promise.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:13

Keep Hoppin’ Those Boulders

May 30, 2023May 29, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Grief is like the boulder hopping moments of life.

To succeed in getting to the sunset, you’ve got to keep moving.

To achieve the goal of the setting horizon, you’ve got to keep taking the jump.

To get past the hardest points, one foot must stay in front of the other.

Even if you slip. Even if you stumble.

Keep going forward. Keep going beyond.

You’ll get there.

Eventually.

And you’ll be so glad you did.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24

Never forget

May 29, 2023May 29, 2023 / The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your effort.

Thank you for your sleepless nights and endless days.

Thank you for your nightmare and your gut wrenching heartache.

We will not forget your sacrifice.

We will not forget your pain.

We will not forget all that you gave;

So, we could live free.

I’m sorry it cost you so much.

And I am eternally grateful.

We will never forget.

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8

Let Your Heart Grieve A While Longer

May 25, 2023May 24, 2023 / The WheatandTares

Sometimes, things just don’t turn out as they should.

Sometimes, dreams are stolen, hearts are broken, and everyone is left desolate.

Sometimes, life just sucks, and there’s not a lot of change you can bring.

Don’t shut off the pain.

Don’t hurry up the emotion.

And certainly, don’t act as if it never happened.

Just grieve a while longer.

Just let the tears roll down into a river.

Walk out to the shoreline and breathe a little deeper.

Step out on that mountain and sigh a little louder.

There are no rules that should confine.

There are no restrictions that should bind.

There are no expectations that should be resigned.

Just let the grief roll on until it’s run its course.

Just let the pain push through until its done.

Let your heart grieve a little while longer until it heals.

Let your soul exhale a little wider until it can stand.

And when the healing comes and the strength returns, stand tall and begin to run again.

And it will come.

Someday soon.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:18

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved,
For You are my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14

For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her.” ’
Jeremiah 30:17