Cultivating ... Daily, and Intentionally

As the cold days of winter begin to fade away and as the first faint signs of spring begin to draw us in, we find ourselves longing for new life. We even may be starting to dream and prepare for our veggie and flower gardens. We begin to prepare our spaces, and also the soil for new spring life. 

In the same way, after the restful, maybe quieter days of winter, I am also reminded this time of year to prepare my heart for a new season of growth. Preparing to grow my heart for what matters the most. Maybe because a bit of the winter cold has settled in? And I find myself longing for some breaths of fresh air in my soul.

So I am welcoming these seasonal reminders to pay attention to more than just preparing the soil of our gardens for spring, but to also pay attention to and to nourish what matters the most to me. Is it the same for you? Have the cold winter days (though they do have a charm of their own) and the days of less sunlight left you longing for new life?

This is the setting for what grabbed my attention a few weeks ago, as I pulled another verse card from my growing collection of favorite verses. 

Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land

and cultivate faithfulness.

(Psalm 37:3 NASB)

It was the whole verse, but especially the word cultivate that drew my attention. This is what we do in early spring to prepare for the growth that spring/summer brings in our gardens. 

And I wonder the same for my heart ... how can I cultivate my heart for this new season? 

But first, what does cultivate even mean? 

"Cultivate" - (from Webster's Dictionary online)

"to direct special attention to, to devote time and thought to, 

to care for with a view to valuable returns, to till, to fertilize, 

to improve by care or study."  

And another helpful list of meanings:

"Cultivate" - (from Lara Casey's book Cultivate)

"serve, nurture, nourish, prepare, encourage,

improve, refine, pay attention, foster growth,

loosen and break up hard ground,

and care for what you've been given."

 

Isn't this what we desire for our lives? To nurture and to till up the soil of our hearts for growth? it's a continual thing, all through the varying seasons, to care for our hearts. To be in tune to listen intently to the One who loves us more than we can even imagine. It's easy to become dry and in need of nourishment.

Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

(Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

Above all else, for the condition and the health of our hearts affects everything. And this is why we need the reminders to continually cultivate our hearts. To faithfully cultivate. To cultivate faithfulness. 

Just how do we cultivate faithfulness? Maybe it will look different practically for you, and for me. But for all of us, it begins in the heart, doesn't it? It's a desire, a longing, to spend time with Jesus. In His Word; not just the rote reading of His Words, but reading with a longing to hear from Him. To hear His heart, to hear what is Truth. And to share our heart with Him in response. A heart that also then seeks to live out His Truth in every area of our lives.

It's a relationship, not a mere religion or a task to check off our list. A relationship that needs nurturing, time, and yes, even effort. Pausing in this busy, broken world, for what is most important. And for what we long for.

Just as each plant, flower, herb are unique, each of us are created uniquely, What does the soil of your heart need now, right now in the season of life that you are in? The soil of your heart, of your life, may need different specifics of nourishment than mine. But we all need continual tilling, and ongoing nourishment to continue producing and blooming.

Right now, I am discovering that I am needing even more frequent pauses, and needing even added nutrients to refresh the condition of the soil of my heart. We have had a lot going on recently ... offering support and encouragement to a brother in need in his Parkinsons condition, preparing our home for a needed (and wonderful) remodeling project which includes going through closets and rooms that need to be simplified and organized, and at the same time, keeping up with all that is part of the many callings and passions that God has given us, including each one in our precious family. 

Cultivate faithfulness ...

So I am needing to take extra time to tend to my heart these days and weeks. Extra needs call for extra care of the soil. Daily attention and cultivating. Focused time reading His Words, listening and learning at the start of my day, pausing in the midst of my day, and quieting my heart again with journal and pen in His Presence at the end of the day. 

Tilling up the soil of our hearts, receiving nourishment from His Word, His Love. And over time, we will see sprouts, and we will see growth. Season after season. Cultivating faithfulness. Our lives will keep on blossoming and reflecting the beauty that we were created for. By His grace and mercy alone.

 

Lord, may I be a cultivator, faithfully making it a priority to care for  my heart, for all that You place on my heart. Taking time for the things of most importance, dwelling deeply in Your Word and in Your love. Slowly, one step, one moment at a time. You are the One who brings the growth, and I offer my heart as a sacrifice, desiring to till up the soil, and to cultivate faithfulness. For You.

Our Everyday Invitation

 

Do you long for closeness, as I do, everyday deep connections? Our hearts are made for connection. For relationship. With those nearest to us, and those we love who live far from us. And how can we even find what we long for in the midst of our busy days, in this beautiful but broken, hurting world and culture that we live in? Where do we turn to find what we long for, what we so desperately search for?

And maybe our first step, and our first longing, is for deep, intimate connection with the God who made us, who created us so that He could shower His love on us. He desires to pour His love into each one of us. His love for you. For me. The deepest kind of love, the most treasured connection that we could ever wish for. An everyday heart-to-heart relationship. And then, filled up with this closeness of being deeply loved, we find that the overflow of this love spills out to nurture and grow the other deep relationships and connections that we long for with those around us.

How do we nurture this kind of connection and relationship with the God who loves us so deeply? May I suggest a simple tool that helps me day-by-day? It may not be the tool that you need, for we are all made differently, but maybe it will encourage you in some way.  

For me, it begins with a heart that is longing for and desiring deep connection, and also, it begins with pen and paper. Why pen, and why paper? For me, it means that I must pause from the never-ending things that draw my attention (even good and wonderful things), and focus. I need to still my heart to write. To take the time to put my heart and longings into words, and onto paper. To express what is in my thoughts, and on my heart. 

Maybe it could be compared to pulling up a comfy chair to spend focused one-on-one time with someone we love. Of course, this dialogue with God happens anytime, anywhere, even in the middle of the night when awakened or unable to sleep ... but an intentional pausing maybe is like accepting a special invitation for deep, one-on-one connection. I accept the invitation, and come to the table (or to a soft chair or loveseat) with pen and paper, pausing my sometimes (often) busy pace, to draw close, to listen and learn from Him.

I then pick up His Word, with a heart ready to listen and learn. And as I read His words with my heart, I will hear His heart. And then I will write down, word for word, the verses that speak truth to my heart. Not writing all that I read, of course, but writing the specific verses that reach deeply into my heart. Words of love, and words of truth that I so desperately need. Words and truths that I long for. That touch me in the deepest places. Opening up His Word, writing what I read on paper, storing it in my heart. And then responding to Him, pausing, and writing my thoughts to Him.

This meeting of hearts, by His grace and mercy, and made possible by the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, is what we are made for. Our greatest treasure ... to be loved by Him.

Behold, I'm standing at the door, knocking.

If your heart is open to hear My voice

and you open the door within,

I will come in to you, and feast with you,

and you will feast with Me.

(Rev. 3:20 The Passion Translation)

And we will find that this love, His love, then overflows from our hearts to those around us.  Bringing deeper connections and relationships than we ever imagined. And by His grace, we will live a life of pulling up close to those we love and those He brings our way. We will pause our busy lives, and listen intently. And we will speak words of life and encouragement with each other, finding the deep connections and relationships that we all long for. 

The Year 2022: One Quarter of the Way

January 1st was not that long ago, but here we are  ... one fourth of the way through this new year already. It's a good time to pause, and reconnect with ideas and thoughts that we started the year out with. Do you like to do that, as well, as the year progresses?

One important thought that I am re-visiting, is the word "Truth-filled", my 'Word of the Year' that I started out with in January. (Click here to read more.) This word/thought, this focus, has been with me, on my mind and heart, so often. I keep going back to it most every day, and throughout the day. And I'm also finding that there is another word that I need to focus on in order to live "Truth-filled" ... that is, the word listen. This additional word has been my 'Word of the Year' for quite a few years in the past. And I think it is so essential. So important as I desire to live "Truth-filled". It's really a heart issue, a heart focus, to really listen to God, and to live our days focused on Him, and His thoughts.

But what exactly does it mean to seek to be and to live "Truth-filled"? For me it means that it is essential for me to intentionally focus my mind and my heart on Truth. Listening with my heart, soul, and mind, seeking after and loving Him above all else. (from Matthew 22:37)

As Sara Hagerty says in her book Adore, "At every juncture of my life and my day I am given an opportunity to ask and respond, 'What will I feed my soul? My thoughts or His?'. Dallas Willard says it this way: 'The ultimate freedom we have as human beings is the power to select what we will allow or require our minds to dwell upon.'"

Come everyone who is thirsty, come to the water,

and you without silver, come, buy, and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without cost!

Why do you spend silver on what is not food,

and your wages on what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.

Pay attention and come to Me; 

listen, so that you will live.

(Isaiah 55:1-3a CSB)

Lord, help us to consciously choose to 'Come to You', to read, to dwell on, and to store up Your Words, Your Truth, in our minds and our hearts. Then, it is the work of Your Spirit within to integrate this truth deep into our hearts/minds, giving us understanding, letting Your Words soak in deeply, affecting our thoughts and our actions. Not just reading words of Truth, but that they actually become a part of us, of who we are.

A Practice, A Habit, A Way of Breathing

 

It’s a daily practice,

a habit, a way of breathing,

as I take the first steps

into each day …

Before I continue on in my

reading through His Word

chronologically, now in the OT.

First of all … pausing, and

writing out my gratitude,

recounting His gifts, glimpses

of His love and care from

the day before, with thanks

and with adoration.

And then …

pulling out a verse card,

just one, from my collections.

Writing it out word for word,

letting His truth sink into

my heart and soul, truth to

hold close throughout the day.

Today’s verse, beyond my

comprehension, love beyond

compare. Our greatest gift,

to be loved by Him. A lifetime

and an eternity of being loved.

Each day, each moment.

I love each of you with the same love

that the Father loves Me.

You must continually let My love

nourish your hearts.

If you keep My commandments,

you will live in My love,

just as I have kept My Father's commands,

for I continually live nourished

and empowered by His love.

My purpose for telling you these things

is so that the joy that I experience

will fill your hearts

with overflowing gladness!

(John 15:9-11 TPT)

Encouragement for Christmas Prep

How are you doing at this mid-month time? Halfway through the busiest, and most wonderful time of the year? 

I started out simple ... focusing on simplicity in preparations. And for me, preparations are joy-filled and fun, for they are preparations for our sweet family to be Home for Christmas! There will be about two dozen around our tables for our Christmas Dinner, and our home will be filled up to bursting with so much love! And I do love the preparations ... 

But it's easy to get off track; easy to think that we need to do more, and then easy, to over-do, to over-work. This is where I found myself recently ... 

(copied here, from my journal entry a few days ago)

"Somehow the busyness of the season has escalated, and somehow, my days have become too full. Or maybe it's just my mindset that has accelerated with all the wonderful and lovely things that I would like to do during this season. The result is that I can try to take on too much. As a result, I become worn out, tired, and then the lies from the enemy find places to lodge in the crevices and folds of my tired, worn-out life. And I slip into a performance mode ... in my own mind and heart, and also find myself looking to others, seeking for approval, wanting attention. 

And this is not where I want to be ... " 

And I'm thankful that in these times of escalating stress, that we can pause, and listen to Him as we read His Words, that we can quiet our hearts to hear the gentle whispers of God's Spirit within. Reminding us of Truth, reminding us to choose what is most important, even in the midst of busyness. A heart of trust and rest. A heart that is filled and overflowing with God's love. This is the most important ingredient for a joyful Christmas season.

So as I am preparing food for our Christmas Dinner and for the snacking and game times, as I am cleaning our rooms and setting up bedding, as I am wrapping gifts ... I need to remember. I need to not forget the most important ingredient that needs to envelop each thing that I do. And when I find myself stressed, I need to step back, pause, and remember the most important preparation, preparation of my heart. 

A few of the nuggets of encouragement I've received this first half of December, as I have paused, and listened to His Truth ...

Am I controlled by expectations, or am I filled with expectancy of what God can do? "Expectancy sets our sights on God's promises, rather than the empty pursuit of all that cannot truly satisfy in this season." (Prepare Him Room, advent readings from Gracelaced)

"When we fret over unforeseen circumstances and fuss over impressing others, we miss what Jesus calls 'the one thing' that's necessary - a posture of worship. Jesus came that we might know His presence, not impress anyone with our own." (Prepare Him Room, advent readings from Gracelaced)

Quiet your heart in His Presence,

and wait expectantly for Him.

(Psalm 37:7 TPT/CSB)

He brought me to a spacious place;

He rescued me because He delights in me.

(Psalm 18:19)

Surrender your anxiety!

Be silent and stop your striving

and you will see that I am God.

I am the God above all the nations

and I will be exalted

throughout the whole earth.

(Psalm 46:10 TPT)

See, the virgin will become pregnant

and give birth to a son,

and they will name Him Immanuel,

which is translated 'God is with us'.

(Matthew 1:23 CSB)

And now ... let's continue on through the rest of this month. Pausing, listening, soaking up God's love and truth. Reflecting everyday on the Greatest Gift of all, and living our days and our moments closely with Immanuel: 'God with us'. 

Pausing, and being filled with His peace, and His joy - in the midst of the season's activity, and in the midst of our preparations for family Home for Christmas! 

My Place of Quiet Retreat

Always, wherever we are … 

our place of quiet retreat,

with us.

Not limited to time or place;

Your Word, Your Presence.

Where do we go for rest, for refreshment, and renewal? The photo above was taken at one such place we've been at many times, with beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park in view. And ocean view, or lake view are also favorite places of ours. 

But what is an everyday place, within reach at all times? Where we can go on a daily basis to be renewed in our spirit, to find the rest that we long for and that we were made for?

"Cause my heart to bow before Your words of wisdom and not to the wealth of this world. Help me turn my eyes away from illusions so that I pursue only that which is true; drench my soul with life as I walk in Your paths." (Psalm 119:36-37)

"Reassure me of Your promises, for I am Your beloved, Your servant who bows before You." (Psalm 119:38)

"May Your tender love overwhelm me, O Lord, for You are my Savior and You keep Your promises." (Psalm 119:41)

"My passion and delight is in Your Word, for I love what You say to me! I long for more revelation of Your truth, for I love the light of Your Word as I meditate on Your decrees." (Psalm 119:47-48)

I am finding in even deeper ways than before, that it is most important, above all else, to fill our minds and hearts with truth, to “be truth-filled”, as author Ruth Chou Simons describes this. For with each passing year, there is even more noise, and more voices in our culture and world that attempt to draw us away from what is most important.

Let us fill our minds and hearts - our souls - with His Truth. Continually, day-by-day, through each day. Listening deeply to His heart as we read His words, depending on His Spirit to give understanding. Letting Truth soak deeply into the soil of our hearts, so that we will bear beautiful, lasting fruit.

This is how we are renewed in our deepest places, and this is the center, or “the bullseye” (in author Christy Nockel’s description) from which all else flows.

Above all else,

guard your heart,

for everything you do

flows from it.

(Proverbs 4:23)

Verses from Psalms in this post are from The Passion Translation.

You're My Place of Quiet Retreat

 

At the start of a day, 

at the end of any day, 

over a weekend ...

When we need to be refreshed, 

when we need comfort or help, 

when we are overflowing with joy ...

We have His Word to renew us - 

not just words to read, 

but the deepest connection,

with a Person.

“Why not build into your life unhurried quiet, 

where, among other disciplines, 

you consider the radiance of who He actually is, 

what animates Him, what His deepest delight is?” 

(From Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund)

Taking time to pause - 

waiting, reading, listening, 

receiving the greatest of Love.

Whatever the Season, Whatever the Circumstance

I love the seasons. And some are my favorite, like autumn. There is just so much beauty in this season! I wish these days could go on and on, forever.

And I also love it when life goes smoothly, and the beauty and joy just spills out onto everything. I wish for days that are peaceful, beautiful, and trouble-free. I don't like stress.

But what if we could train our eyes and our hearts to see beauty on any day, even on the hard days?

"When it seems as though you are facing nothing

but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity

to experience the greatest joy that you can."

(James 1:2 TPT)

"Every time we face anything that causes us to cry out to God, let's declare that this hard time will be a holy time, a close-to-God time."

(Lysa Terkeurst)

What we keep our eyes on, where our hearts rest, what our focus is on ... determines our joy. A hard day and difficult times may be just what we need, to turn to the true source of joy. Joy that doesn't need perfect circumstances. For joy is available always, a gift from our faithful, loving God. I am continually learning this, over and over. And it is true.

"The crucial detail for us to have peace

 in the midst of everything we face

 is to stay close to the Lord."

(Lysa Terkeurst)

(The last two quotes above are from Lysa Terkeurst's book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way. I just finished reading this, and highly recommend it.)

How are Your Roots this Summer?

How does growth come to a plant? How did these cucumber plants grow to overflowing our garden this year?

How did these sage, basil, parsley (and more) herb plants grow so lush this summer? Producing so bountifully that this is the year that I am trying out preserving them with my new dehydrator?

And these impatience flowers on our patio, how did they grow to be so beautiful, overflowing their planter, filling us with their beauty each day?

And how about me, and how about you ... how are we doing this summer?

It has probably been the most unusual time of our lives for each of us. We've gone through five months now of a global pandemic with all the repercussions that have affected many or all of us in some way or another. And on top of all that, just when we were maybe starting to catch our breath, we have seen unrest on our streets. And in our land.

How are we doing with all this? Is it possible to not only survive, but also to thrive and grow, even in the midst of this intense heat?

I've been reminded often. I've needed to be reminded often. That bitterness, anger, and complaining do not bring results, and do not bring the beauty that we all long for in our lives. Bitterness and anger lead to more bitterness and anger. We've seen that happening.

There is a better way. In our efforts to help, to survive these challenging times, and in our need to be healthy and productive, we need to be sure to nurture the soil of our hearts. Daily, each day. To let our roots grow down to keep us strong.

Let your roots grow down into Him,

and let your lives be built on Him.

Then your faith will grow strong

in the truth you were taught,

and you will overflow with thankfulness.

(Colossians 2:7 NLT)

But how does this happen; what is it that feeds our roots, and what brings growth?

I have found that it is in the daily, in the moment-by-moment living of our days ... turning towards the Son, reaching towards the life-giving water. Picking up His Words, reading with our minds and our hearts; pausing, responding, receiving His love. To pause, be still, and receive.

To be still is to receive.

To faithfully pause, to soak up His love and His Grace.

The soaking up, the receiving, is what brings growth.

To still our souls is to open the door to receive.

To be what we were created to be.

To grow into something beautiful.

By His power alone.

Becoming beautiful and fruitful. For Him.

It's what I see in our gardens; our veggie garden, our herb garden, our flower pots on our patio. I see stillness. A receiving. A depending on the Creator to bring the growth.

But blessed are those 

who trust in the Lord, 

and have made the Lord 

their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted

along a riverbank

with roots that reach 

deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered

by the heat or worried

by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop

producing fruit.

(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT)

Lord, may our roots grow down into Your Truth, Your Words, each day.

May we rest, even in the midst of the heat, 

as Your Words settle down into the deepest places of our hearts.

May our roots be strong, and our fruit be honoring to You,

bringing beauty and growth that will spread to a needy world.   

My Daily Delight

Make God the utmost

delight and pleasure of your life,

and He will provide for you

what you desire the most.

(Psalm 37:4 TPT)

Lord, may You be my delight

above all else, today ...

may I keep You always

before me, all through this day,

filling my heart with Your truth,

and Your unfailing love.

In the midst of all this day

will bring, may You be my

utmost delight, all by Your

grace and power alone.

I have always loved this verse,

and sometimes, reading it in 

a new translation brings even

deeper clarity ... may Psalm 37:4

be an encouragement to you

today, as well.

(Photo taken on our Pacific Coast Trip 2016)