Analogy - The Trash Truck

Original Photo by Bethany Woods

This morning I was driving with my windows down when I fell in line behind a trash truck. Wow... it was so stinky that I held my breath for fear of being sick. Then, it hit me. I don't want to be a garbage truck. I don't want to have a load of stinky burdens that I carry with me all the time that leaves a wake of nausea behind me for other people to encounter. Nope, I want to be a float from the Rose Bowl parade! I want to leave a wake of sweet smelling fragrance wherever I go. 

How about you? Today, as you ran errands, swept the floors, or walked through your office corridor... were you a garbage truck or a rose covered float? 

Let's spur one another on to LOVE and good works! Let's leave a wake of joy behind us!

By: Bethany Woods, Author at Seeds of Promise, Harvest of Hope blog; Copied from my Facebook page (originally written June 4, 2014)

In God's Time

While Paul was cutting up potatoes for breakfast, Jeremiah stood reaching up crying. Jeremiah could not understood why Daddy did not share. How many times are we like that with the Lord. Holding our hands out towards what it is that we want, it looks so good to us. But, The Father is saying, "No, Dear One, it is not the time yet." Paul did not scold Jeremiah for asking for food or for crying about it. Likewise, your Father knows you have needs too. You may keep asking. And, when the time is right, He will hand you what you need.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? ²⁷ And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸ And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, ²⁹ yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! ³¹ Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ ³² For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
³⁴ “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:25-34 NASB

By: Bethany Woods
Author at Seeds of Promise, Harvest of Hope blog; (Originally written April 2010)

Spring Cleaning

We were cleaning our yard today and MUCH grieved by all the garbage that is now visible after the spring rains. Similarly, when we submit ourselves to God, His refreshing rains fall on us. Sometimes it reveals a lot of garbage that was formerly hiding beneath the surface. The good news is that when the garbage is visible we can throw it away once and for all. Friend, Jesus died so that you can be saved (first of all) and cleaned up. For the glory of God!

By: Bethany Woods
Author at Seeds of Promise, Harvest of Hope blog; Originally written April 2013

Encouragement - Keep Dreaming! Keep Hoping!

There are moments when you have far-fetched ideas of what you could do with your life. What if some of these thoughts are seeds of great faith sown by a loving God who gives more than you can ask or imagine? What if, instead of shutting the valve of hope and creativity, you pray, "Lord, if this is from You bring it about in your timing." Then wait. God will bring it about in His way and His time. Or, He might lead you another direction. But, just because an idea seems impossible is not a reason to ignore it. Our God does the impossible! 

It may be a broken relationship. It may be a new career. It may be a desire to reach the world for Jesus or save as many orphans that you can. If your idea is not against anything written in His Word, then keep praying. He hears you. The answer might not be what you expected. But God is better than our expectation. We see through a glass dimly. Keep hoping. Keep praying. Keep seeking. Keep listening. Don't give up on the seemingly outrageous ideas in your head. 

One word of caution- Neither let these hopes become an idol. God does not generally operate in the box we try to place Him in. He is God. He is good. We worship Him for who He is and what He has done for us through Jesus. Withdrawing your intimacy from the Lord when He does not provide as you expected Him to, could be a sign that you are seeking the gift over the Giver. That would be idolatry. 

Keep that seed of faith alive. Water it by reading the Bible and by praying. Do not underestimate the possible fruit that could come from one little seed of faith sown in well-prepared ground.

By: Bethany Woods
Author at Seeds of Promise, Harvest of Hope blog; (Originally written May 2013)

Analogy - Fog

Is the fog obstructing your vision? Are you lost and you can't see where to turn? Look to the Lord, look to Jesus. As the SON gets higher, He becomes greater and shines brighter. The fog will begin to dissipate.
But, until you can see clearly, tread slowly through the murk and mire. You would not drive 70 miles per hour through fog (in the natural). Similarly, go slowly and wait upon the Lord to be the Lamp to your feet and the Light to your path.

^"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 NASB

By: Bethany Woods
Author at Seeds of Promise, Harvest of Hope blog; (Originally written in May 2013)

Devotional thought - Do you want your song back?

Read Psalm 77. 

I just read Psalm 77 because of a suggestion by my mother. And I love to note that verse six preceded the change from agony to rejoicing. The English Standard Version says that the writer made "a diligent search" of God's goodness (to get back his nighttime song of praise).

A diligent search. 

Have you done a diligent search back over your life to see how God has blessed you and even your forefathers? God is good. If you want your song back - make a diligent search of His goodness in your life!

By Bethany Woods, Seeds of Promise, Harvest of Hope blog; Originally written in June 2013

Pruning Analogy

(Originally written in June 2013 - when my husband was out of work with hernias. But, this would apply to any trial. This analogy speaks to me just as strongly today as it did one year ago.)

I know enough about flowers and trees to recognize their growing cycles. Tonight I walked past a rose bush nearly falling over under the weight of its blooms. I immediately knew that that bush was cut way back last year, so that it would produce more blooms in the future. I thank God for speaking to my heart through that rose bush. But, even more than that, I thank God for His goodness in pruning me to produce more fruit later. The cry of my heart is to see the kingdom of heaven advance and grow. God knows my cry is to be one who bears much fruit. God is good! This trial - in many more ways than I know right now- is an answer to my heart's cries. Praise You, Jesus! Thank you, Father, for finding me worthy of gentle pruning. I trust you, Master Gardener, to cut well...for my good and for your glory. Thank you, God.