Scriptures of Encouragement ~ A Kazillion Seeds

I absolutely adore black-eyed susans.

While walking Blue, our gigantic hunk of love, I came across a hillside bursting in golden splendor. The beauty of the flowers drew me in. I sensed a God-moment.

"Yes, Lord. I'm listening," I whispered.

I stood silently in His Presence.

Listening.

Seeking.

And then He opened my eyes to see.

The black-eyed susans were preparing for the impending fall weather. For two or three months the bright yellow of their petals had made passers-by smile. New flowers were popping up each day continuing the happy visual. But now, the brightness was beginning to fade. The yellow petals were beginning to wither and drop from the stems. AND the cone of the flower - the part beaded with a kazillion little black seeds - was becoming more prominent. 

As the cooler weather drifts in, signaling an end to summer and the glory days of the black-eyed susans, the seeds begin to scatter and hide themselves beneath the fallen grasses so the winter chill will not kill the life within them. I was reminded that after the bitter days of howling, frigid winds, the earth would once again thaw, the seeds would take root and the burst of golden splendor would, again, adorn the mountain hillside.

Such is the rhythm of life.

Strangely enough, I began to think about the fruits of the Spirit - those evidences of God in our lives, those characteristics of Jesus that woo and draw others to the cross much like a field of black-eyed susans warms the heart of a weary soul.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." ~ Galatians 5:22

Black-eyed susans. A kazillion seeds.

Fruits of the Spirit. A kazillion seeds.

There are times in our lives when we feel as though we are doing nothing for God. There are times when we wonder if the joy of our salvation will ever again leap and dance over us and through us to give the world a glimpse of a loving God.

Know what I mean?

In this God-moment, the Lord made it very clear to me that, even though we think our "fruits" are withering, it is GOD within us that produces them and therefore, as long as we do not sever our relationship with Him, His Spirit courses through our being. We may be in the season of glory. We may be in the season of needing rest. We may be in the season of winter's howling winds. But, regardless, we are ALWAYS in the season of His love and purpose.

And a kazillion little seeds bearing His fruit are being scattered and preserved by His mercy and grace.

Oh Lord, let us sow Your love, Your joy and Your peace in and out of season.


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Are you looking for a speaker for your ladies' group this Christmas season? I am now booking speaking events for fall and winter. Please visit my website, www.jubilantlight.com for more information. The following is an excerpt from a message I gave in Virginia.

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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to worship with Sarah McLaghan as she sings, "Make Me A Channel For Your Peace". There is also a BONUS! I have included a link  to an excerpt from one of messages. I hope you are blessed by the words of my heart. Please share this with your friends. Thank you and sweet blessings!