"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.This is the seed sown along the path." Matt. 13:19
This was me growing up. "Along the path" to young womanhood, sometimes I just wasn't listening. Other times I simply lacked the cognitive ability to understand what was taught to me by those sweet Sunday School teachers or my parents. Besides, my path at that time was so strewn with Tiger Beat Magazines, Judy Blume books and the opinions of my friends, often the seeds of truth couldn't get through to take root.
"The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away." Matt. 13: 20-21
Oh, the "rocky places." High school and college. Rocky, indeed. I loved hearing God's Word. I loved Michael W. Smith songs. Oh, how I was moved at church. But, I could separate my "church world" from my "friend world" so very easily. So much truth bounced right off of me as I bounced between the two.
"The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." Matt. 13:22
Yes, my "thorny" twenties. Finishing my degrees, chasing success in my career, becoming a mom and desperately wanting to "do it all." (And look good doing it!) How I bought the lie that "You can and should have it all! You deserve it!" Deceitful, indeed. So much truth was choked out.
"But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Matt. 13:23
Oh Lord, let this be me now. As I've gone through my "tilling thirties," You have been so faithful to help me identify, uproot and weed out so many of the enemy's lies. How I want to eagerly receive the seeds of truth that are sown into the soil of my heart each day. May it fall on rich, ready soil; soil that is free of rocks and thorns and only along the paths and rows that you have marked out for my life. Thank You for being the Faithful Sower in all my seasons thus far. As I continue treading the terrain of my thirties may I plow ahead, my Savior's yoke upon me, into increasingly fruitful forties and fifties, by Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.
11 comments:
Beautiful and insigntful - as usual Cyndi. I can't tell you how much I admire you younger women who have such wisdom. I wish I had done better. It has taken me far too long to allow the seed placed in my heart as a child to really fluorish in my heart and life. I can identify with you so well - except that I seemed to continue to struggle well into my forties and even some in my fifties. Pure stubbornness and selfishness.
I pray with you - that my life will be all that He wants it to be.
"But, I could separate my "church world" from my "friend world" so very easily." Oh boy could I do that in college, I learned to "play" church so well.
Hey by chance is it your birthday? (As I've gone through my "tilling thirties,)
No, it's not my birthday... just feeling "reflective," LOL. I *do* turn 40 this year, though. Woo hoo! :)
Cyndi,
Ok, you have just described my life. I love how you did this. I may have to use it in my teaching some time. Last Spring I taught a bible study on the Garden of our Hearts. This would have been a great illustration. I am going to copy it into my file. (is that ok?)
I often find myself somewhat regretful of the time I wasted in my twenties trying to have it all. Even as a Christian, I had bought the lie that I could or was supposed to have "it all". But I am thankful for what God has done in my life over the last 12 years or so.
What a great reflection of how you continue to grow more and more into His likeness. Thanks for sharing!
Amen, amen. I say that pray right along with you!
Cyndi, I love the scripture and journaling that you did today. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sandy
What a beautiful capturing of these verses. I echo your prayer, "As I continue treading the terrain of my thirties may I plow ahead, my Savior's yoke upon me, into increasingly fruitful forties and fifties, by Your grace and for Your glory."
Blessings to you in this pursuit, dear sister in Christ. May we see God glorified in this season and the ones ahead for what He will do in us and through us.
Blessings,
Elisa
www.laundry-alternative.net
This sounds a lot like me...very much like me! I can only say Thank You,God for Your patience with me...Thanks for sharing!
Kim
That is my prayer as well for myself. I hope that this is a time where I learn to draw closer and closer to God. I am just so overwhelmed by your post today-it was beautiful and transparent. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
This could have been my story...A little different directions, but still the same. Isn't it strange that we all experience them? But in our 30's we are running back to Him, because we know that the world really has nothing to offer...Thank you for sharing, Cyndi...Refreshing to know that I am not the only one who has traveled a similar path.
Blessings on your Sunday and always...
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