Stuck
As a farm wife, I have had my fair share of getting stuck in the muck and the mire - aka manure - and trust me, rubber boots stuck in a quagmire almost always mean that when I pull, my foot comes out and the boot stays stuck. The result? Well, since I have no balance, a foot in the…you get the picture. Poop between your toes is NOT a spa day.
Lately, I just feel stuck. Like I can’t pick up my feet and truly live. Have you ever experienced this? Going thought the motions. Carelessly meandering through your day with no focus or purpose?
This morning I was studying:
Proverbs 4:23 “Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.”
Some versions say “guard your heart”, “build up your heart”, or “keep your heart with all diligence.”
The passage of Proverbs 4:18-27 is a teaching on how to stay on the path of righteousness. Right living. Or as mama used to say, “You better get your head on straight!”
St. Basil the Great commented, “See to it that the adversary does not seduce you into the sin of our first parent and cast you with all speed out of the paradise of delight.” Adam and Eve clearly did not guard their hearts and minds. They willingly disobeyed.
Which leads me to ask, where am I living in disobedience? A daily examen of my conscience reveals that I am not always honorable with my words, to my husband, and often lapse into laziness when it comes to caring for our home.
I also tend to get easily distracted. I have a total squirrel-brain. (Why do squirrels get such a bad rap?) Adult ADD is not joke. If I don’t write it down, or set a reminder, it doesn’t get done. Sometimes, even with reminders I totally forget. Like Thee Farm Boys doctor appointment on Friday. I mean, it WAS spring break, but still, I’m the Mom for Pete’s sake!
How do we guard our hearts and thoughts? We measure them up to what God says!
“I wish I was skinny.” Well, honey, God says that we are to take care of our bodies, and that we are made in His image! Wishing isn’t working at it.
“I wonder what happened to so-and-so from my past.” DO NOT even go there. DO NOT pass go. That person is in your past for a reason.
“I will just watch five minutes of my show.” Girl, don’t lie to yourself. You will waste a whole day binge watching something stupid. Your house will stay a mess. Your kids will lack your attention and then act up. And you will have gained nothing. God doesn’t want us to waste our time, he wants us to use it to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. Hello, Proverbs 31 woman!
I think you get my point, dear friend, God wants to be the truevsource of your life. The Wellsping. Practice guarding your thoughts.
The NKJV says it this way: “Keep your heart with due diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
And I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of having issues. I want to be productive. I want peace. Clear-thinking. And a life directed by Christ Jesus.
Keep your heart with utmost care,
xoxo Carolyn
Application for today:
Read Proverbs 4:18-27. Highlight what stands out to you. Ponder what God is saying. Plant that seed in your day, and watch it grow!
Rooted in Faith - finding Holiness in the Ordinary…
