Thorn In My Flesh

November 14, 2016November 12, 2016 / The WheatandTares

Have you ever gotten a splinter in your foot? I’m not talking about the calloused part, where it doesn’t hurt too much to remove. I’m referring to that tender place on the bottom of your foot, just below the ball of the foot. I had to remove a deep splinter the other day from just that spot, and let me tell you, it did not feel good, and my foot was sore for the rest of the day! 😖

However, by the next morning, it felt great, and I had all but forgotten the pain of the day before. Can I tell you, life can be that way, too. You’re walking along, minding your own business, and “Bam!,” something sticks you hard. It may not seem that big of a deal to those around you, most won’t even notice, but you do. You feel it deep within your soul.

What you do next will determine your healing and recovery time. If you allow that “thorn” to settle deep within your soul, it will fester and go deeper. Over time, it will become infected and eventually turn into a disease called bitterness.

You must remove it. You must get the offense out before it brings you more pain. You must allow that wound to be cleansed and bandaged to bring complete healing. The pain of removal may feel worse, sometimes, than the temptation to leave it alone; however, I can assure you, the removal and recovery is worth the temporary pain endured.

Let go of hurts today. Let go of offenses. Allow the Holy Spirit to pull those things out of our hearts and minds that don’t belong. Allow Him to apply His healing balm to bind up the would and let the healing begins.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

First Responder

September 12, 2016September 10, 2016 / The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

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First Responders are incredible at what they do. They are the first on the scene of medical emergencies. They assess a given situation to ensure it is safe. They evaluate the victims involved and determine what is needed. They even administer medical aid, CPR and AEDs in cases of cardiac arrest. Now, I’m not sharing this to give you an education on First Responders, but as we remember the importance of this week, being the 15th Anniversary of 9/11, I just want to say I am so thankful for all that they do.

They always seem to be willing to lend a helping hand. They rush to scenes of crisis when so many others would run away. They stay with the wounded until they are headed to recovery. They even attempt to rescue, mend wounds and remove from harm’s way those who may not necessarily want their help. I don’t think that I could express enough my gratefulness for who they are and for what they choose to do.

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Yet, there is One who is the best First Responder of them all. He is stronger than anyone else in the force. He responds quicker than any human could imagine, and He never ever fails to show up. He can bind up wounds, heal hearts, release those bound and even bring back to life those thought to be dead.

His name is Jesus Christ. He is who I call Friend, Savior and Lord.

He is the Greatest of all First Responders for He knows you. He created you, and He is always right there by your side. All you have to do is call His name, and He will rescue you from danger. He will free you from what holds you captive, and He will bind up what causes your heart to bleed. He will bring you life and life more abundantly.

Will you call to Him today? Just say His Name, and He will answer.

Let Go to Grow

October 29, 2015 / The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

Have you ever watched a toddler hold tightly to his broken toy while crying that it’s broken, or a young child who covers her cut, refusing to let you clean and bandage it for fear of the pain?

I think we, as adults, can fall into this tendency with God as well. How often do we hold tightly to our broken dreams, our shattered emotions, our cracked ambitions, foolishly believing that somehow we can fix them on our own? How many times do we avoid His presence when our hearts are scarred from the pain, and we simply keep our tears hidden, somehow, convinced He can’t really heal the wounds?

He is simply waiting there for us. He is as close as a whisper. All we have to do is call on Him, and He will be there. All we have to do is believe. All we have to do is let go.

He is faithful. He is kind and merciful. He is full of love, and that love is for each of us. When we let go of the brokenness and the pain, that’s when we begin to grow.

Will all our problems go away immediately when He shows up? Not necessarily. We are humans living in a humanistic world; we haven’t reached heaven yet. However, when He shows up, our perspective begins to change. Our eyes will see more. Our ears will hear more clearly, and our hearts will be free to heal. Our dreams will begin to grow again.

Why? …because when He shows up, we have HOPE.

Try it. Let go today and begin to grow.