As I was inside my house getting some seeds to plant, my eyes fell upon my planting date chart that I had made sure to print out early! But I never used it because I was so busy. As soon as my eyes fell on that chart the Lord spoke to my heart: instructional guides, they have their place, and can be great resources. But what about when they don’t work for your schedule, your personality, the dynamics of your life, or you don’t have all the tools to implement the instructions? This gardening seasoning I have been just going out there and doing my best, implementing what I know. I don’t have time this year to watch gardening videos.
I realized it’s the same with raising children. We usually want to know exactly how to do it, with specific instructions, but what if you’re too busy to read or watch books or videos; or what if the instructions don’t match the dynamics of who you are, who your children are, or your home, or your life? That’s when we depend upon the Holy Spirit. Besides, if we were to be able to implement all the exact instructions we watch or read up on, then we would be in danger of thinking any success was based upon our abilities, and not give any credit to God. When, each day, we go to God, and realize our nothingness, that we need to be taught of Him how to come in and how to go out, moment by moment, calling upon Him, for guidance and for help, then without a shadow of a doubt we will know all success was because of Him.
“Besides, if we were to be able to implement all the exact instructions we watch or read up on, then we would be in danger of thinking any success was based upon our abilities, and not give any credit to God.”
How-to-gardening and parenting books have their place, but if they replace going to God for how to perform, we will not develop that intimate, exquisitely close relationship we need with Him, especially in these last days, to anchor us when the heavens fall. “God, teach me, I know nothing. You be my Teacher; You be my Counselor.” And He will teach you ways that you will not read in any books except that you have read it in His word. Then His word will take on a new meaning, and His promises will become personally yours.