I've always been interested in taking care of my garden. In fact I once said that I hoped there'd be at least some weeds in heaven because I enjoy gardening that much! If you drove down my street, there'd be no mistaking my house--I'm the one with the flower garden in the front yard. Make that plural.
I'm also the one with the cute little patio beside the front door. Up until about two years ago I spent most of my free time outside. There was no place I felt closer to God than down on my knees in the dirt. I don't wear gloves unless I'm working with prickly weeds because I absolutely love the feel of the soil--earthworms and all.
So what happened two years ago? Well... let's just say that three years ago I put a stone patio in. Who knew that laying the bricks would be so tricky? There's a certain pattern that they have to be placed in if you want them to fit, and since I threw the little diagram away it was trial and error--actually more error than anything else.
After about four attempts at laying the stones I got them to work, and finished my patio up. It was beautiful, but there was one little problem: I didn't bend at the knees like I should have, and my back was feeling the pain.
Ever since then I've kind of lost my zeal when it comes to the garden. I don't feel like I'm 13 anymore when I'm playing in the mud. I feel more like I'm 85, and if I get down there I'm not sure that I'll be getting back up.
Last year was the worst year for my garden by far. I ignored it as much as I could and the back yard was nothing less than a mess. The weeds got so out of control that it took man muscle to pull them out.
What does any of this have to do with the heart? More specifically a "pure" heart?
A pure heart is a garden void of rocks and weeds. It's a heart unaffected by anger, resentment, and doubt. It's loving someone with only the best of intentions.
Those who seek a pure heart make every effort to protect the heart from impurities by keeping their thoughts in check, because they know that a garden with weeds has the potential to get out of control.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. - Proverbs 4:23
Today's Vow: I Will Love You With a Pure Heart
The Challenge: Keep the lines of communication open so that you can talk with your husband about the things that are on your heart. Nip anger in the bud by letting go of it instead of allowing it room to grow.
You are loved by an almighty God,
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Thank you for this today...I really needed it. I had an argument with my husband and he was really hateful and mean. It is hard to love with a pure heart when you feel disrespected. When he is angry he belittles me, mocks me and yells at me. I hate for my children to see this behaviour...I'm worried about the message they are getting about marriage. I am praying for God to give me a pure heart and the courage to ask him to seek counselling for what is obviously a problem he has. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteSometimes the greatest love we can show our spouse is to confront - lovingly - and point them to help.
DeleteWhen our spouse does not reciprocate, the biggest weed we have to get rid of is bitterness- through the process of forgiveness. This sets us free to be right with God irregardless of where our marriage is. And it allows room for God to help our spouse where we can't.
In my own marriage, I am walking through the process of restoration. It is hard work, but God is faithful!
Anonymous - May the Lord bless you with peace during this season. And I pray your husband is willing to seek help.
Thank you Angela...I thank God that I have Godly women like yourself and others here in cyberspace to get the encouragement that I need.
DeleteGod bless you!
I so needed this today! Thank you so much!!!! I have let the weeds grow over the past few weeks, and have noticed a change in my heart toward my husband. Today is the day to pluck them up and make that garden beautiful again!
ReplyDeleteThank you also for this... i want so badly to love with a pure heart but like the other commenter, the communication is not the best between me and my spouse. My heart is "full of rocks" and weeds towards him, however the I know I can't change it by myself and currently intimate conversations about matters of the heart always end up in arguments. My relationshop is not where I want it to be and i feel like it has been reduced down to a mere business relationship... only really talking about business matters... we are otherwise mute. I can't repair this alone... other than praying.. i don't know what else to do.. if we both are not trying to consider the other.. it won't work... if only one tries, then the one is left with the feeling like they are being taken for granted.. I want God to get the glory in our marriage and have the relationship God desires us to have... he holds strong to the way he was raised.. focusing more on position rather than relationship.. i just don't know how to reach him..
ReplyDeleteThe way to eliminate that feeling of being taken for granted is to keep your focus on God. Remember that we love because He first loved us. Our love to others is more of a gift to God than it is to our spouse.
DeleteIn the same way that Jesus died on the cross. It was a gift to the Father who loved the world so much that He sent His son to die for us. If His focus would have been on the world it would have felt like a hopeless situation.
He said, "Not my will but thine be done." That speaks volumes in showing us where His focus was and what carried Him through.
On to the rest of your comment... It's really amazing how a couples mindset can change their situation in an instant. Therefore I pray that you will find a way to touch the heart of your husband. Perhaps through counselling? Prayer? Whatever direction you choose, my prayer is that God will guide your steps.
Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thank you so much for responding with such wonderful words of wisdom! I am so thankful i have discovered your site and your partner sites! Marriages are under such attack and it is so refreshing to see women who are excited about their walk with God and their devotion to their husbands!! I feel like i have been re"fueled" by the encouragement i am receiving through these ministries! I feel like i currently am surrounded by bitter resentful women who dispise the role of a Godly wife... you and the others have reminded me that while we seek companionship and acceptance with our mates, our ultimate goal is to please God by serving others! Through these posts i have now surrounded myself with positive, inspiring, and God-fearing women, without even knowing any of you personally! There's so much i can write.. just know that your labor is not in vain! Please continue to glorify God through your stand and these blogs!! God bless you!
DeleteThank you for this. I didn't read it when it came out, I think the Lord knew my heart was not receptive at the time. I read it today and now understand.
ReplyDelete