What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, September 4, 2015

Signs of Growth - Random Journal Day

Hello Friends out there in "Blogland"....It's Random Journal Day (click on link for more information and other great "Random Journal Day Blogs") again...time to look back in the past and bring it back to the future...you know, "That was then, and this is now..."  So here we go.  This post was originally written on 5/22/2012 ~ a little over 3 years ago.  A lot has changed in our lives since then...and in our home.  

May 22, 2012:

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."  I Corinthians 3:6

The front yard of our home when this was originally written 5/22/2012 - see pictures below for update
I was chatting with one of the pastors at the church where I work today about "signs of growth".  He seemed to be a little discouraged about the lack of noticeable growth in the church even after taking big steps to reach out and plant new seeds by faith.  I was certainly able to empathize with him, having spent many years in churches where my husband and I labored in what appeared to be a vain effort with no apparent signs of growth.  Oftentimes soon after we left a church feeling discouraged, another minister would come along and reap a great harvest!

Recently I have been laboring in another kind of field...planting new trees and shrubs and flowers in the yard of our new home in the forest.  I have been watering our trees and flowers faithfully every evening since we are not getting any consistent rain.  I have begun to get a bit discouraged, because the trees have not been showing any signs of new growth. Not that they appear to be dying...they just haven't sprouted any new leaves or grown any taller or fuller that I can see. 

I thought about this as I spoke with my friend today...and it occurred to me that we oftentimes cannot see the growth that is taking place because it is developing so slowly.  I said to him that in churches (or people we are caring for), like trees, the early growth is actually growing under the surface as roots are reaching deeper down into the soil in search of the pure water and rich nutrients of the earth.  The foundation is being established by daily watering with the right combination of fertilizer and sunlight and hopefully some rain.  Before the new leaves and branches can spring forth and reach up into the sky the tree has to be rooted and grounded in solid ground...or else when the storms come the tree (or person) will not be strong enough to withstand the high winds and pounding rain. 

It takes patience to be a gardener and a tiller of the soil.  It also takes patience to be a gardener in the garden of God's church.  Oftentimes the pastor-gardener becomes discouraged because he has labored long and hard, breaking up the fallow ground, planting seeds and praying for a great harvest, with no visible results.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this same issue when he wrote to the Corinthian early church . He was frustrated with the people of this young church because after much teaching, preaching, and prayer, they were still not showing any signs of spiritual growth.  And then they would compare one preacher with the other thinking one was better than the other because some showed more signs of growth under one leader than the other.

Paul admonished them regarding this way of thinking in I Corinthians 3:6-11~
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.  But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

So, whether you are laboring in a field of trees, flowers or vegetables...or perhaps you are laboring in the field of teaching and ministering to the children of God (or even your own children)...don't lose hope when you can't see immediate results.  Be faithful to your task...cover every deed with prayer and love. When the "field" is ripe and ready for harvest or even if you find that you have to walk away and allow someone else to reap the harvest...remember that it is God Who has given the increase...in His time...in His way.  Just be faithful to do what you have been called to do and leave the results to Him.








Our Front Yard Today...September 4, 2015

And the surprise harvest of friends in the faith...a home Bible Fellowship started in our home last year...



God has truly blessed and blessed and blessed


Sometimes God surprises us with growth in places we'd never imagined when we first started...
so just be faithful to the tasks God places in your path and He will give the increase.



19 comments:

  1. Well said! I love the daylily----mine is still sending out blooms too!
    Keep the water coming!

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  2. Yeah, I spend most of the evening watering...but with patience and diligence and some RAIN, it should all pay off one of these days. I hope you will see some difference when you come Saturday! You may see the growth that I can't see!

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  3. Excellent points. I think God so wants us to be careful where our focus is...and He does do His work His way and in His time...we are focused wrongly as He is concerned about that which is unseen. We are indoctrinated into always measuring and being outcome focused. God is in the business of deep, unseen work and depths sometimes unperceived...but still progressing growth. Beneath The SUrface, yes?! Lovely share, Pamela- hugging you.

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    1. Yes, Dawn, perhaps the title of your blog "Beneath the Surface, Breath of Faith" subliminally inspired the thoughts behind this post. God is ALWAYS working beneath the surface, behind the scenes, as well as right before our eyes. We just need the eyes of faith to behold!! Thank you Dawn!

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  4. Good advice and insight. We have to trust don't we? My hubs is fond of saying that "when we don't understand, it could be because we do not see the whole picture."

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    1. Oh, that's a great thought! Yes, "Hubs" is absolutely correct! Hey, there's that word again..."Trust"! Amen sister!! Thank you, Susie.

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  5. Great post! We never know what the "watering" or "soul/soil feeding" we do is doing inside...deep down inside! Years ago, a good friend and I worked in the same department, and had lunch together almost every day. Each day I shared stories of what our church and our women were doing...and each day she listened intently. And, one day when I invited to join me for a meeting...she was so excited and open to come. She ended up coming to services regularly and joined our church...you just never know!!

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. That is such an encouraging testimony! Sometimes it takes years of patient friendship and kindness before we see any cracks in the surface of some hardened hearts. But as we are faithful to follow God's lead, He is faithful to soften the soil of the heart and bring forth a harvest in due time. We just have to be patient...not usually one of my greater gifts. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this with us today. Blessings to you.

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  6. I love the before and after pictures of your home (I've always been a sucker for before and after pictures!). The pictures are such good illustration to your words. It's slow going raising a garden, whether actual plants or the garden of people. I think of all the years my Beve and I worked in youth ministry, sometimes with very damaged kids. Sometimes it felt like nothing was happening, like there wasn't even a seed being sown at all. Years later, one or two of those kids (now in their thirties) has written us to tell us how those years, that group was instrumental in them being in the Kingdom now. And we would never have guessed. I guess our job is ALWAYS to be faithful to do what we're called to do, no matter what that work is, no matter what we see come of it. Keep watering, and let Him be in charge of the growing. RIGHT?

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    1. Thank you Carolyn. It was encouraging to me to compare the pictures and see the progress we've made. Also, the fact that when we moved here we did not know anyone, and now God has blessed us with many new friends...and even a home Bible study group that is growing in number as well as in our faith and relationship to the Lord. I never dreamed that would happen when we started "putting down our roots" here. God is so faithful...and yes, we need to continue to water and trust Him to take care of the rest. We've had similar experiences with youth and other adults throughout the years...didn't know anything was happening under the surface...and years later God revealed the harvest. So thankful for such a faithful Father God.

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  7. Sometimes the results or harvest are just so darn SLOW to arrive though aren't they? I am not very patient....and as soon as i wrote that i imagined the very SLOW progress God has patiently watched me make! ugh! Sorry God!

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    1. yes they are. And yes, I am so thankful our heavenly Father is so patient with us as we plod along our slow path of progress. He never gives up on us, nor does He ever lose sight of us, His beautiful planting in His kingdom.

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  8. Pam; These things you write about are blessiings from God. When we are patient; He rewards us with His answer. Sometimes, He goves us much more than than we ask for. When we learn to be patient, we receive greater gifts than we could ever imagine.

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    1. Yes, I believe patience is the key here. Learning to wait on God to answer our prayers in His time is a difficult thing for most of us, but when we put our trust in Him, He never lets us down. We just have to learn to wait and trust. Thank you for stopping by today. You are a blessing.

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  9. I knew I read this before! CHEATERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. lol. Just playing with you. I do appreciate you showing up. Maybe I should make you stay for detention and write " I will not re-post on Random Journal Day." 500 times. hahahah.
    I am sorry, Pam- I am in a silly mood for such sober thoughts on a lovely SUnday afternoon.

    BUT still...as I re-read your re-post this comment--- It takes patience to be a gardener and a tiller of the soil. It also takes patience to be a gardener in the garden of God's church. --- I think it takes patience not only for the gardner ie leaders...but for the seeds growing together. We all experience growing pains as God matures us- and so many are quick to judge, presume, point out sin in the brethren, instead of entreat, embrace, encourage...I am in a season now, where I am feeling very church wary...sometimes I feel like I don't fit well, with Believers or Unbelievers...I get frustrated with he lot! Yet, I know God is calling me to community, and grace and submission. All of which I cannot do apart from Him doing through me. Oh, well...Hugs, Dear Pam. ANd pray for me....I'm feeling rogue!

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    1. Oftentimes when we feel that way it is God's way of expanding our ministry to people otherwise forgotten or neglected or unheard of. God is still at work in your life, guiding, re-directing, "repurposing" for new places and people. Trust Him...He knows what He's doing even when you don't recognize it. You are a very valuable "tool" in God's toolbox...He's not about to lose track of you.
      yes, I will pray. I totally understand the growing pangs you are experiencing. That IS what it is, you know. Love you my friend. And sometimes good things bear repeating. That's why I go back and repeat...this IS my journal these days. I don't think this original post was a random journal offering. Bear with me. I'm getting old and feeble of mind. LOL

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  10. What a powerful and encouraging devotional read!! Thank you for sharing your journal thoughts on this topic--it is something we all struggle in. We so often feel our work is in vain. I love the underground foundation building that is unseen for so much of our labor. But, by faith--we can know and see all things. Congratulations on your in home study group. My husband and I have wanted one for some time--just haven't been able to make it happen. We wait on the Lord--in His due season--such a gift often falls into our laps. In this case--onto the living room sofas with open Bibles.
    Joy!
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you Miss Kathy. I will pray for you as you wait on the Lord for His leading. When the time is right, He will bring it all together. Our group was something totally unplanned by us...and totally planned by God. We thought other things were going to develop...and God had a better plan. So trust Him...He knows what He's doing...always! Be patient...He may show you something even better! Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I hope to see you again someday! Blessings to you and yours.

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  11. Hi Pam! Great reflection on the power of persistence. It's so true that we work and work and sometimes see nothing. All the foundations are getting strong, we just can't see it.
    There is a lot to be joyful about now though! Your yard is transformed, your meeting group is getting bigger and more faithful... What a reward for your hard work my friend.
    Enjoy!
    Ceil

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.