This month I launched a bible study series, “Proverbs 31 Woman-She Lives In YOU!” It’s a three part, online series. We meet once a month in June, July and August via ZOOM. In between those meetings, I send inspiration and encouragement to the participants to promote spiritual growth individually and collectively. In our first session last week, we looked at the scripture verses, Proverbs 31:10-31 and we “gleaned” from the Virtuous Woman that which we need in this season…joy, diligence, grace, wisdom, kindness etc. and planted those seeds in the garden of our heart.
After our session, I was so inspired! Coming together with women who love the Lord and desire to walk with Him together just blesses my heart so. Over the next few days, I took some time to be with the Lord, to listen intently and then to honestly reflect. I repented, it was so necessary and I was refreshed in my heart and mind. I then felt like I could plant the seeds that I had gleaned from our study… humility, confidence and joy into good soil (a renewed heart).
Since then, I’ve been mindful of my commitment to myself to grow, (to nurture and guard my heart) “to water my seeds” and I have seen some seedlings. For example, I’ve noticed as I act in humility, others tend be more temperate in their response. I’m so pleased that my efforts are promoting growth in my heart, in my home and in my relationships. Unfortunately, as in every garden, I have also had some weeds pop up alongside my seedlings.
I’m not giving up on my growth that easy! To maintain the beauty in the garden of my heart, I know that I can NOT allow the weeds to take root and flourish. Weeds are the seedlings or plants that are undesirable, persistent and damaging….plants like anger, jealousy, pride etc. They interfere with my spiritual growth and the growth of the seeds I gleaned from the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31. They affect my peace, my positivity, my productivity and my creativity. They get in the way of maturation and blossoming. They must go!
I have learned that the best way for me to keep the weeds (in my heart) under control is to be honest with me about me. Yes, there are going to be times when I think, do or say something that is ugly, unrighteous and down right sinful. When I do, if I ACT… Acknowledge, Confess and Take responsibility by talking to the Lord in truth about my ” why I”, how I feel, what I was thinking… and resolve it in my heart with Him, then I have pulled the weed. I have protected the seedlings that I planted on purpose from being choked out. Remember, weeds can change the atmosphere of our garden (heart) making us more susceptible to our selfish and sinful thoughts and deeds. I have found that to ACT is the best weed control for me. What about you, how do you maintain your garden (heart)?
Fruit of Her Hand 