When they're finished, I climb out."
Urma Bombeck
As a mom,I can so easily become weary of giving, of nurturing, of settling squabbles. If I don't take time to stop and smell the roses, the roses can begin to smell like Stinking Benjamins.
Beautiful flower, isn't it? Although it's proper name is the Purple Trillium, it's been given the nickname Stinking Benjamin to describe it's scent.
How about you? Do you 'look pretty' on the outside today? Does your outward pretty-ness match your scent today? I've noticed that when we forget to allow for times of personal refreshing that we, too, begin to smell more like a Stinkin' Benjamin than a Rose of Sharon. When we're refreshed - emotionally, spiritually, physically - we're much more likley to need hide in that playpen until the "war of the day" is over. Instead, we're ready to come face to face with our battles, knowing that we live and move in the strength and being of our Lord. (and by the way, I am writing this today, because I knew that unless I took time to step into the King's Presence this morning, the scent lingering in our home would most certainly not be roses!)
God helps us in our weaknesses - whether parenting, working, ministering...
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26, 27
As we take time to bow before the one true King; He, the Creator of the earth, grants us promise to refresh us...
"Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord"
Acts 3:19
Yes, sometimes we need to ask God to search our hearts to see if forgiveness is needed in order for Him to supply us with times of refreshing. Is it pleasant to have our faults and sins flash before our eyes? No - but the outcome is worth it. Kind of like when you've been out doing work on a hot, hot day. You're tired, sweaty and streaked with dirt. A glass of water, a warm, soapy shower, and the dirt and weariness is washed away.
Kind of like how the Lord washes our hearts.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you today. Know that you are loved - immensly - by the God of all creation!
LAUGH OF THE DAY:
When I was a child, the Stinking Benjamin was one of my favourites. For some reason, I'd not yet noticed the unsavory scent. I loved how pretty it was, I loved the funny name! I loved that I could recognize it among numerous other flowers growing along side the pathway in our New Brunswick backyard forest. In fact, I loved these flowers so much, that one day I decided I was going to pick a bouquet for Mommy. Well I quietly tip-toed into the room she was napping in so as to not disturb her, and left her the "sweet" little flowers in a vase. Soon after Mommy awoke, she began to search the room for "the smell" thinking our dearly beloved cat (Mittens, perhaps?) had left her mark. It was that day that I understood why the Purple Trillium has it's nickname!
1 comment:
What a great post - I really need to stop somedays and remember this - this past weekend at church I was teaching th chickets 1 Sam 16:7 The Lord does not look at what man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. He doesn't care if we are pretty on the outside - the heart is all tha matters. Thanks for making me stop and think!
Love you friend
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