I looked forward to the garden when I got home! I could not believe how much the garden grew in a short amount of time! It seems a lot can happen when your back is turned! Wow, Matthew 13:24-26 (NIV) came to my mind in a deeper way! “Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.” My children wanted to help with weeding while I was gone, but I explained just keep flooding the garden and don’t worry about weeding until I get back! It was early in the season and it was hard to see what was a veggi or a weed. When I got home, the garden looked like an ocean of weeds! The chickens got lost in the thick cover of the tallest spiky weeds I had ever seen. The weeds were as tall as my hips and shoulders. I decided to flood the garden with water and in the pursuit to find anything edible growing in the garden, I decided to carefully pull the tall weeds out one at a time! Suddenly I noticed one of the roots appeared orange. So, I gently peeled the weeds and dirt away like an onion to see why the roots were orange. I was surprised to find a perfect carrot completely encased by weeds! We need God’s living water to flood us to removes the weeds that try to entangle us! When we are filled with Him, we continue to grow even when the weeds try to pull you down. The weeds will lose its grip on you! It also reminds me of why the wheat and the weeds grow together. Matthew 13:29-30, (NIV) No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.I really wish I took a picture but it was one of those moments you just can’t capture on camera! I took a picture of the carrot. I’m thankful God wants not one person in the whole world to perish because he loves and cares for everyone so deeply In 2 Peter 3:8-10 (NIV) “8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” 7Let the wicked forsake their ways

It reminds me about what Isaiah explains about how we need to seek Him while He can be found. Isaiah 55:6-9 (NIV)” 6Seek the Lord while he may be found;call on him while he is near and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9”As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The time is short and we should take every opportunity to sharing the Good News about Jesus in love! Galatians 6:10 (NIV) “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” When we love all people who don’t know God’s love yet, they will be drawn in. Jesus will change how you see everyone and your focus will change too. It is the Holy Spirit inside you that helps you see everyone through a different perspective by focusing the inward qualities of the person and magnifying them, so they can see it too. Some people are so hurt that all they see is the lies about themselves and their mistakes. When all of God’s children come together being like minded in Unity in Christ, pouring love into people who can’t see their value yet, they will not only see their value but believe it. It’s the same Spirit in All of us. We are are God’s Masterpiece including every person! All are made in God’s image and are beautiful, special and have a purpose! The Holy Spirit searches all and knows the heart of all people! The Holy Spirit knows exactly how to lead us to reach people who can’t see how much they are loved by God. It’s only by our actions by living out what you believe, and how you react in situation and circumstance that are beyond your control. This will reach the broken hearted. A lot of hurt people believe a lie about themselves and are lead by how they feel. When there is Less talk and more walk through life circumstances, people who have heard the talk about God and who Jesus is, will see the evidence of who Jesus is in your life! It will be how you live your life going through similar circumstances as they are. God will guard you and reveal exactly what you needs to do or say.

When we love our enemies the way Jesus tells us to do, we won’t see them as our enemy because it’s not a flesh and blood war! Our flesh sees them as our enemy but the spirit show us who they are. When you see them through Jesus eyes, and you treat them the way Jesus does, it won’t make sense in their human understanding. They will wonder why you don’t return fire when they attack, join them in complaining or why you don’t join them pointing out all the bad things happening! Instead you will listen with compassion, pray for them and love them the way Jesus would!

My neighbors came over while I was in the garden and poured out their fears and hurt about the upcoming events taking place on the land. He expected me to be in the same state of mind but I just listened. He was outraged and deeply wounded by his past and soon calmed down. God’s overflow of kindness poured out as God prepared his heart to receive. I shared about how leaving this land might mean, I don’t see a fall or winter harvest and that it was ok. I said, “I will keep planting and watering while I’m in the waiting! The new people will be blessed while we step into something new! It might be hard but God has been preparing us for the next steps and I confident it will be good. God has worked out in advance all the details and I trust Him even when I don’t see what’s next. I explained the work on this land is finished! It is ready for the people who God wants to live here. He loves and cares for them just as much as he cares for you and me! God has no favorites. I said, “This isn’t my home, but God does have something for my family in His perfect timing” I’m thankful for where we are and all the blessing God has poured into us while we were here. The valuable relationships mean more to us then silver and Gold!

When you live a life in love and look past the mess, remember God doesn’t look at the outward but the heart! 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Sometimes the biggest outward messes is evidence of a miraculous change in the heart. Romans 12:2 (NIV) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Don’t conform or join in the world meaning of love. We need to stand firm on what God says love is! I Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,they will cease; where there are tongues,they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Revelation 21:6-7He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.