“Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till he comes and rains righteousness on you. “ Hosea 10:12
I spent half the day bitter and angry yesterday. Long story short, a best friend’s ex-husband arrived in Japan yesterday. Since this isn’t a huge Air Force base we live on, it was inevitable that I would be running into him at some point in the next three years. Lucky for me, about five hours after he landed, my husband and I saw him and his new wife, skipping across the street through our neighborhood. Awesome.
After waking up this morning and starting to stew a bit more over the situation, I decided I needed to quietly sit down and to do a little bible study. (Something I have been neglecting lately.)
The very first verse in the study I am following was the one above. Hosea repeatedly uses illustrations about fields and crops. In this verse he mentions a plowed field that is ready to receive seeds. The soil is no longer stony and hard, but has been carefully prepared and is ready.
Loud and clear I had to ask myself, “Is your life ready for God to work in it?”
All too often, my heart is hard and unplowed. Instead of being ready for God’s guidance, forgiveness, and righteousness, I get selfish (I want my friend to be here in Japan, not some other girl) and angry (Why does life seem so unfair sometimes?). I forget to let God be in control.
I am still not sure what I will do if I run into this guy and his new wife face to face. Since my husband and I used to be friends with him, it might be a little bit awkward. What I do know, is that my heart can be ready for God’s guidance in situations that are hard. This one is really hard. My friend is now a single mom. Her boys have a dad that lives half way across the world. My good friend’s ex, has his own struggles that I cannot even begin to understand.
Fortunately for all of us, God is always there and his righteousness will rain down for us if we let it. The question is…….Is your heart ready for it?
It's too bad people make such crazy choices. I'm sure you'll handle it well when you run into this guy.
ReplyDeleteI also struggle with some of the same feelings. I have my own ideas what I want to do and don't always open up my heart to what God wants me too.
Thank you for your post!
Have compassion. It's hard but God will fill you with the love you need for this man and his new wife.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder to let God have the reins in these situations. Best of luck to you. I''m sure you'll do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteHi, A friend of mine just told me about pinterest, and this is my first time on it and i saw your quote by Maya Angelou (one of my favorites. Anyways, just last week we found out that my daughter who was born 6 weeks premature and is now almost 3 months old, that she has to have heart surgery in the next month. My husband and I also live far away from family and friends and everything going on with our daughter is doubly hard with that added in. Anyways I wanted to let you know, even though we are complete stranger your post really helped me to refocus on God and the amazing Father he is to us. So thank you for posting your story up, it has truly encouraged me in my faith and reminded me of how we can always trust our God...Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI really love this quote...saw it on Pinterest, but didn't really sound like Maya Angelou so I did a little research.
ReplyDeleteIt is no less true. (and I'm glad you shared it..) But definitely not Maya.
http://forum.quoteland.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/99191541/m/6341058951
Elisabeth Elliott said something similar long before, but not so succinctly put. I'll have to look it up.
This quote is from Max Lucado,who is the author of many books,encouraging followers of Jesus Christ to walk in God's grace and mercy.If you read him,you'll see how easy it is to know he pinned this quote.His writing always makes me cry,Jesus is right there talking to me and holding me.My favorite quote from Max is,"An Unstirred Christ".In times of trial and persecution,this says it all!
DeleteI came across your post just as I was heading out to work in the garden. It was perfect to start my day and give my heart something to ponder on. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI believe it was Max Lucado who authored this quote, not Maya Angelou. Love the saying!
ReplyDeleteWas just going to say this is Max Lucado, not Maya Angelou. It's a great quote :)
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