Kill the Root Quickly - Bloom for God

As I headed out the door to church last Sunday, I sent up a quick prayer to the Lord in my thoughts, saying,  
"Jesus, help me to not have a root of bitterness towards my husband. Help me to let go of unmet expectations, disappointments, and awful feelings right now."

I know you might have struggled with the same thing.  We’re not unique.  There are many women living in a spiritually mismatched marriage that go to church - week in and week out alone.  We pull into the parking lot and sometimes just sit in the car – watching the other families heading into the building.  Other times we make our way into the sanctuary – scanning the crowd – looking for a place to settle in…alone.

You see – I have been attending church alone for quite some time now.  My husband has come on occasions like Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day.  He has attended some Sunday school socials with me and had brunch or dinner with the other couples in my class – but he isn’t really interested in church fellowship or the things of God.  I keep telling myself that one day it will all change.  He will actually verbalize a desire to go with me…  I won’t even have to ask him to come.

I’m well aware of the fact that we all have different life experiences with regards to church attendance and our childhoods.  My family was in the military.  We moved frequently and we did not attend church regularly.  I wasn’t interested in God until I was in my early 30’s with a small child of my own.  However, my husband grew up going to a religious school as a youngster, and attended church as part of his family’s tradition.  I personally don’t believe he ever really connected his heart with his actions.

When we married, neither of us entered a house of worship with any regularity or passion.  It wasn’t until a neighbor of mine invited me (with my young son) to attend church with her that I finally had my eyes “opened” to the True and Living God.  I was born again and a fire was lit within my heart for Jesus. That was 23 years ago.  Living in an unequally-yoked marriage for that length of time gives you greater perspective on what matters most in God’s eyes.

God’s Word tells us in Hebrews 12:14-15 to “Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any roof of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled”.   Pursuing peace involves action on our part.  We must submit our emotions and reactions to Him and not manifest outward frustrations to our spouse.  King David’s wife Michal had a root of bitterness fed by jealousy (2 Samuel 20-22).  We must “…cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”  (II Corinthians 10:5).

After spending time in our flower beds this past week – I observed how some of the weeds had shallow roots and others were deeper.  When I pulled at them – trying to dislodge the weed - many times I simply broke off the plant, leaving roots just below the surface.  I merely removed what I saw – but underneath the soil the plant still existed.  It would burst up through the dirt again in time. I really hadn’t taken care of the problem.

Many times a root of bitterness can develop when we simply try to remove what we perceive is the surface problem.  However, deep below are the true causes of those weeds:  anger, resentment, jealousy, pride, and many more.  Roots need to be eradicated swiftly and completely in order for the weed to disappear for good.  It often requires digging it up with a sharp claw or tool that will loosen the dirt around the roots.  

God’s Word acts as our tool to dislodge the weeds that root in our soul.  He lovingly loosens our emotions and pulls out sin-filled thoughts by His Spirit, as He weeds our garden and prepares us for heavenly fruit bearing.  

When I am conflicted and overwhelmed with unkind thoughts towards my husband, I ask the Father to visit my flower bed and inspect it for weeds.  I don’t want a root of bitterness to ruin my Christian witness or affect my relationship at home. 

I hate pulling weeds and I imagine God probably doesn’t really enjoy doing it either…

 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Kill the Root Quickly - Bloom for God

Springtime means new growth - are you growing?

Rebirth - Renewal - Regrowth

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.  ~Ruth Stout

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.   ~Percy Bysshe Shelley, 
"The Sensitive Plant"

I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?  ~Edward Giobbi

Springtime is nearly here and seasons change according to plan...

Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years..."  (Genesis 1:14)

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,  And a time to die;  A time to plant,  And a time to pluck what is planted"   (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Gardening has always been a favorite past-time for hobby enthusiasts.  Whether it's vegetables or flowers - a considerable amount of time and effort must go into gardening in order to reap its bountiful rewards.

 Gardening 101:  Soil, Seeds, Water, Sun and Weeds.

~  Soil  needs to be tilled (turned over) to aerate and loosen up.  You can analyze for proper ph and determine whether critical nutrients are present or not.  Using compost, manure or rich organic top soil will improve the soil's makeup and maximize growing conditions.

~  Planting  seeds and seedlings  properly help guarantee a bounty of vegetables or flowers.  Plant seeds at the recommended depth and spacing per seed packet instructions. When working with seedlings, a "gentle touch" is what is needed.  Be careful not to break off new shoots or delicate roots.

~  Watering  should be light and consistent with new plantings. Once plants are established, watering less is actually better as it forces roots deeper, resulting in stronger plants.

~  Sunlight  is crucial to plant growth and the process of photosynthesis.  Six to eight hours of direct sunlight is optimal.  Some vegetables and flowers require less, or prefer significant shade.  Carefully follow directions on packets or seedling trays before planting.

~  Weed  little, but often.  Keeping up with small weeds is easier than trying to weed a massive quantity at one time.  Mulch, grass, leaves or hay also retard weed growth.

These are just some of the basics of gardening.  For more information, or a listing of dates for your gardening zone, visit the Gardening page on  The Old Farmer's Almanac

God's Word contains many Scripture passages pertaining to sowing and reaping, seasons, planting and harvesting.  Some of them speak of nature, and some speak of spiritual things.  Either way - these universal principles apply.

Galatians 6:7-9 says, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Regarding wisdom in business - Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 11: 4, "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap."  Verse 6, "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."

In Matthew 13:1-23 Jesus tells the parable of the soils.  He spoke about the seed that was sown  and where it fell.  Then He explained to his disciples what the parable meant, ending with the statement, "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

The Apostle Paul shares with us in II Corinthians 9:6 the principle of giving: "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

Paul later shares, "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God."  (II Corinthians 9:10-11)

Finally, in Isaiah 61:11 the prophet foretells the coming of the Messiah, "For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."

What is your favorite thing to do in your garden?  What are your most cherished flowers?  Do you have a vegetable garden, and what do you grow?  How does spending time in your garden renew or restore your soul?

Enjoy Anne Murray singing  "In the Garden

Springtime means new growth - are you growing?