Much...

There is something moving about the newness of a freshly breathed morning. Especially when it is touched by a good cup of coffee under a warm fuzzy blanket with the love of my life. At this point my day is uniquely quiet since MaKayla accompanied Kyle to his workplace for a time of "job shadowing" and Mallary is still peacefully sleeping.

After Kyle and MaKayla left I gathered my journal, my Bible and my coffee and headed outside to drink in the freshness of today. As I sat there listening to the birds, feeling the breeze, marveling at the rising sun, the Lord reminded me that He has much for me in this upcoming segment of time...the day ahead. He reminded me that He has much for me to learn, much for me to see, much for me to take in. He reminded me that He has much love to shower over my heart and much direction to give to this "segment of time". He then asked me a few questions?

? Will you be still enough to listen?

? Will you allow Me to break up the fallow ground that is keeping you from hearing?

? Will you allow Me to test you so that I can reveal the areas that are keeping you from making much of Me?

? Will you allow Me to remove those impurities so that the soil of your heart will be prepared for planting?

? Will you allow the seed of My voice to fall gently and penetrate deeply so that it can be fruitful and produce abundantly?

As Kyle and I visited this morning about fallow ground and the effect that it has on our lives, we marveled at God's provision. We marveled that He is always, faithfully one step ahead of us. We are both realizing and recognizing more and more how as we keep our eyes on Him, He is, unbeknown to us, working the soil of our hearts to receive what He desires to teach us. It's like He is tilling, turning and preparing the crusty ground so that His seeds will be received and then as we are silent and listen, they will take root, grow strong, produce fruit and make much of a harvest for Him. Nothing in and of ourselves, but only by His grace.

Kyle and I were blessed to be able to attend a homeschool conference in a neighboring state last weekend and as hard as Satan tried to keep us from "arriving" there (literally), the Lord overcame each obstacle as He had much for us. I'm so thankful that He pushed us to not grow faint and that we kept our eyes on Him and persevered. To put it lightly, it was a weekend of transformation for Kyle.

For several months now, the Lord has been preparing Kyle's heart for the people that were chosen to share and the words that were inspired to be spoken in the workshops that he/we attended. He has been preparing him to release the burden of condemnation in order to tightly grip the richness of grace. He has been preparing him to reject the defeat of inadequacy in order to receive the triumph of confidence. He has been preparing Him to let go of the fear of insecurity only to find the power and strength in God's divine presence, direction and anointing as he, in, with and through love, manages and governs our home.

At the same time, God has been tilling the hardness of my heart in order for me to become a wife of submission, reverence and affirmation. A wife that follows instead of leads. A wife that submits instead of controls. A wife that affirms instead of questions. A wife that listens more and talks less. A wife that learns instead of instructs. A wife that makes much of her man rather than cuts him down. A wife that in making much of her man, honors the Lord. He has been preparing me to take the supporting role rather than the leading role.

Last weekend I saw the seeds fall and this week I have witnessed the seeds take root.

In Kyle's heart, in my heart, in our home.

God, without us knowing beforehand,
tilled the fallow ground.

The impurities were removed...

the soil was prepared...

the seeds fell...

two hearts received...

Much for Jesus...

Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12