Nourishment

I just quickly passed this small little vine as I was making my way down the produce aisle at the new HEB on Bunker Hill...I just love that store! But as I past the scent followed me so I backed up....and gave it a second look. It was a basil plant....tucked away in a plastic cone shaped container with standing water at the bottom of the cone. I generally kill every plant that I attempt to nurture...but I could just see this in my kitchen window and loved the smell. So why not...and I brought that little thing home, planted it in teapot that Jamie, my daughter made me when she was little....and I watched...everyday...it struggled at first but soon became a perky little reminder that God can even overcome my black thumb handicap. I am proud to say that it has survived now for over a month.

But when I returned home Sunday...I found that it had finally succumbed to my lack of knowledge/attention in gardening. All the leaves were shriveled up and hanging low...and it was done. By just to make completely sure that it was over...I filled it with water....which was standing water because it had no drain in the pot.....and forgot about it til the next morning. Sure enough....it had perked up again and I hadn't realized how much joy seeing that little plant alive and perky again would make me...but it did. The way I finally figured it was ...when I bought it is was in standing water...so why should I be surprised if standing water would rejuvenate it? I shouldn't...be surprised that is!

I think that I too am a lot like that little plant...I was designed by God so when I allow God to design my day and my decisions and my responsibilities....I should not be surprised when things go well....or even when things don't go so well, that I am able to deal with it in peace and with confidence that it will soon enough work out. It is the nourishment that comes from above that keeps me healthy. That gives me the ability to stand tall...and not droop into frustration or disappointment or anxiety. For droopy thoughts are a reflection of droopy discipline. Discipline...that is just not one of my favorite words...it ramps up a need for focus...for commitment...for motivation....for doing something that is right but most times for me is not too easy.

We know when we are running on low fuel...and need to be filled up. We know when we are headed down a track that will ultimately sap us of the very strength that we need to go on...and leave us weak and worn...and yet we continue to travel it...without seeking God's nourishment. It may sound a little silly
but when we will make the effort to just be still for a while and seek God's rest in our spirit...and peace in our souls and meditate on God and the blessings that are before us and amidst us...God will pour out his strength just from that.

Just as that little plant contentedly sits in standing water...so are we to sit in the presence of God ...and be saturated by his goodness. We are creatures who have been created to be self sufficient in worldly ways...when we are thirsty...we get a drink...when we are hungry...we eat...when we need clothes we get them...but to be strong in spiritual ways we are dependent on God. We can make the physical efforts to stay strong by reading the bible, or going to bile studies, church etc...but it ultimately is the relationship that we have with God that transforms our weakness that are before us into strengths that give us the
courage to stand tall in spite of trials, to be an optimist in the waves of chaos, and to be dedicated to share His story and live our beliefs through our actions and our attitudes.

We all need nourishment for our bodies for our minds and for our spirits...the nourishment for our bodies and our minds comes from outside recourses...oh but the nourishment for our spirit and our souls lies within us...through Jesus Christ. He is the root of where our contentment begins. It starts with Christ and the nourishment that we receive in having a relationship with him....just seeps into our very core of existence. It is what sustains us in crazy times and gives us peace when everything about us seems to be falling apart. But we must feed our souls with silence....so that God can work his way through our thoughts.
And silence is the discipline....that ends up being the unseen disciple to our hearts.

Proverbs 3
Further Benefits of Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones

Dear Lord, It is through you that I am sustained....daily....and I thank you. May I remember to take time to be silent and listen to your whispers, meditate on your word, and be filled with your spirit. Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for His glory will shine through.

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