growth

Generational Fade

/ The WheatandTares

The natural progression from generation to generation is a proven fact.

What one generation places value in, their children rise to place more value in.

Or they revolt and rebel against that value.

Typically, there’s not a lot of gray area found.

So, if you’re a parent and you place a high value on education, often your children will do the same.

If your parents were hyped about ballgames and competitive sports, more often than not, you will do the same.

If you as a parent struggle to hold down a job throughout their formative years, many times, your children will, too.

If your parents weren’t super committed to God, a relationship with Him may not even be on your radar, or it may be seen as a dismissive once-a-year-whether-I-need-it-or-not event.

It’s truly the way of human nature. If you’re conditioned in one way throughout your childhood years, you’ll walk in those footsteps paved for you.

To walk a different path, you will literally have to fight and claw to be different.

This has been proven for generations. Look at abuse statistics, divorce patterns, and even educational journeys from one generation to the next. It is what it is.

So, if you want your children to be what I would call, “God chasers,” those kind of people who seek Him with all their hearts and work diligently to not only know Him and follow His will for their lives but also who live intentionally to share His love with others, this begins now, with you.

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

Matthew 6:33

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Healing Processes

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

There is so much truth to this statement that it’s almost difficult to add anything to it.

Too often, we continually try to change people to fit what we need, or better yet, we work hard to “lead them” to a better place to accommodate who we are and who we are becoming.

But people are people.

You might can lead them well, and when that is feasible, by all means, carry on. But when it is someone who is bringing constant harm to you or to someone you love, be careful giving your time. Because you’re also giving your love, your thoughts, and eventually someone else’s flesh more than just your own.

When it’s toxicity, abuse, or dysfunction we’re talking about, step back and evaluate what you’re truly letting go of:

Peace of mind. Peace in your home.

Love in your heart. Love in your surroundings.

Sanity. Sanity in your loved ones.

If these things are given up for the sake of family, friendship , or other relationships, is it really worth it?

Sometimes, you have to hear what someone is saying, see what they are doing, and understand they are who they are. This is a a choice. And you f it doesn’t line up with the peace, love and sanity you need for your life and for those within your charge, then by all means,

Step away.

You both will be better for it.

As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 26:11-12

One Opinion

/ The WheatandTares

One opinion can wreck our whole day.

One opinion can destroy our whole mood.

One opinion can demolish our whole level of success.

Why?

Why do we let one simple opinion do that?

The wise statement is so very true:

“Care about what others think, and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu

Enough said.

Let it go and go do better.

The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25

Read That, Again. Now, Choose.

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

This statement is the proof between maturity and immaturity.

It is the difference in the choice driven life and victim driven life.

It is the challenge of every human being alive.

You can either grow through your pain or allow it to consume you.

You can either choose to let it change you for good or for evil.

You can either live with determination or excuses.

It is up to you, and what you choose, what you allow will determine not only your outcome.

It will very likely determine the outcome for your children and/or those around you.

So, what will you choose?

How will you grow?

And who will reap the benefits ..or consequences?

Choose wisely, please.

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

The Loves of My Life

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Who do you spend the most time with?

I spend the majority of my time with the loves of my life: my husband and our two sons.

We have the most fun together, either all together, individually, or even broken up into pairs.

We love to travel, or hike, or to take a road trip, or take a walk, or go shopping, or find a great restaurant, or maybe just sit for a spell, telling stories, pondering the mysteries of God, comparing notes on the Lord of the Rings, or simply hanging out doing nothing at all.

Just being together is what counts. And although, each of us are so very different from the other, we’ve always been a very tight knit family. But as they grow, those days are coming to change very soon.

And my heart gets a bit sad every time I think about it.

Yet, I know it is meant to be, and I know it’s bittersweet.

It is meant to be because every parent wants their child to always be moving forward in life, never crippled, never wounded, or just stuck in one phase.

It is meant to be because every parent wants to see their children flourish, succeed, and fly like an eagle into their adult life, learning, growing and soaring into his own.

It is exciting because we want them to be strong men, independent, and confident in who they each are called to be. We raised them this way, and they are boldly approaching the goal.

It is exciting because we want to see them explore and experience all the thrills, all the joys, we once did and so much more.

It is bittersweet because I know as these days draw closer, they will fly; they will flourish, and one day, they will find the girl of their dreams. Then, they will begin their own families, their own lives.

It is bittersweet because this mama’s heart will miss them so and long for one more hug, another spontaneous, late night chat, an unexpected trip to the store “just to get a few things” and have some extra individual time together.

It is heartwarming because as you realize they’ve got what it takes to make it, and not just to survive but to thrive, you realize they really did hear you. They really did receive.

It is heartwarming because you know the two of you, husband and wife, now will have a rediscovery of each other. You’ll have opportunities for time renewed that has been shared for decades, and now, it’s just the two of you.

Yes, it is meant to be, and it is bittersweet.

And yet, it is both exciting and heartwarming.

Change is coming, and it’s coming so fast.

It will be upon us before I am truly ready.

So for now, I will be present in the moment.

I will cherish the past and look expectantly toward the future.

But I will continue to savor my overspent time with my loves right here, right now.

And I will continue spending my most valuable moments with the loves of my life.

For this is where I long to be most, second only to being by my Savior’s side. But that story will be saved for another day’s writing…

Right now, I’m going to get back to where I love to spend most of my time…❤️

Keep Growing

/ The WheatandTares
Said to possibly be the oldest oak in Florida (Tampa area).

When you stop growing, you start dying

No matter your age, no matter your limitations

No matter your intelligence or your pedigree

Life and death is a choice we have

Growth or stagnation is our decision

What will you decide today?

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rootedand built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

Know Who Your Friends Are

/ 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

Time Like the Tide

/ The WheatandTares

Time is like the tide.

It never stops.

It’s always moving forward.

It waits for no man.

It pauses for no woman.

It can bring peace or chaos, but you can choose.

You can plan and prepare, or you can simply let it roll on in.

But it will not be stopped.

It can catch you unaware, or you can come ready.

The choice is yours.

What will you do?

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

James 4:13-17

Everyone Has a Prison

/ The WheatandTares

No matter who you are, where you came from, where you’re going,

We all have a prison to live in.

It may be your career, your education, your ambition that demands your concentration, your dedication.

It may be your possessions, your economic status, your greed for more that commands your toil, your allegiance.

There is a prison, and it beckons your name.

It may be your pain, your heartache, your past that haunts your thoughts, your recollections.

It may be your anger, your temper, your impulse that forces your allegiance, your agreement.

There is a prison, and the door is open wide.

It may be your children, your spouse, your family that claims your devotion, your approval.

It may be your health, your well-being, your countenance that orders your commitment, your adherence.

It may even be a wall of bars you’ve allowed someone else to control the size, the depth, the yielding of your attendance that confines your submission and your surrender.

We all have a prison waiting, which one will you choose?

You can also decide love, joy, peace, and goodness will be your eternal home.

This prison will bring more freedom than you can ever imagine.

Then, you’ll want to lock the door and throw away the key.

Choose well. For once the latch is turned, you may never leave your abiding cage…

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Galatians 6:7

Get Busy Livin’ or Get Busy Dyin’

/ The WheatandTares

Robert Herrick wrote a poem that had this verse,

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.

And in the movie, Dead Poets Society , Robin Williams implores the students to live life to the fullest, to reach beyond the complacent living that is so tempting and make their lives extraordinary.

I wonder how often we actually wake up and purposefully make our lives extraordinary.

Seriously, this about your day today.

How did you wake up?

What did you do in the first 30 minutes?

What did you do in the last 30 minutes?

What about all of those tiny seconds in between?

Do we work hard to live our lives to make an impact,

Or do we simply impact our lives hard to live for work?

Each one of us have the opportunity to rise above the norm, to stretch beyond the comfort, to strive above to greater heights.

It is up to each of us to choose what influence we will have,

And it is up to us whether we choose to live for dyin’ or die trying to live.

Which will you choose?

Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even avapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

James 4:14