Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
LET OUR FIELD LIE FALLOW
(A SEASON OF NEW GROWTH #1)
Monday, May 24th
When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a sabbath for the Lord. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the Lord: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. (Leviticus 25:2-4, NRSV)
Could our first step toward our Season of New Growth actually be a decision to lie fallow?
No, this will not be the first and only post in this series! But today’s reflection reminds us of the importance of choosing to keep restful, quiet, unhurried time in our days.
Let’s consider the benefits of fallowing ground for gardening. Darcy Larum, Landscape Designer, writes:
Fallow ground, or fallow soil, is simply ground or soil which has been left unplanted for a period of time. In other words, fallow land is land left to rest and regenerate.
Early in the history of fallowing, farmers usually did a two-field rotation, meaning they would divide their field into two halves. One half would be planted with crops, the other would lie fallow. The following year, farmers would plant crops in the fallow land, while letting the other half rest or fallow. As agriculture boomed, crop fields grew in size and new equipment, tools and chemicals became available to farmers, so many crop producers abandoned the practice of soil fallowing… a field left unplanted does not turn a profit.
Allowing the soil to have a specific rest period gives it time to replenish nutrients which can be leached from certain plants or regular irrigation. It also saves money on fertilizers and irrigation. In addition, fallowing the soil can cause potassium and phosphorus from deep below to rise toward the soil surface where it can be used by crops later. Other benefits of fallowing soil are that it raises levels of carbon, nitrogen and organic matter, improves moisture holding capacity, and increases beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Studies have shown that a field that has been allowed to lie fallow for just a year produces a higher crop yield when it is planted.1
Like the farmer hoping for a profit, I am one who tends to think of an “abundant life” as a busy or productive life. I can feel irritable and frustrated on days when very little has been accomplished. I may not realize that my body needed to rest, or my mind needed to regroup, or my soul needed to reflect. Perhaps these fallow days provided some much-needed space for rest and replenishment. In addition, as noted in the farming fields, these unproductive days may have helped to rebuild resources for my future productivity and better “yield.”
We will never live abundantly if we spread ourselves too thinly.
What are some ways we can include more fallowing time in our lives?
~ Do we say “no” to something good in order to do something better?
~ Do we say “not right now” to something that can wait until a future time?
~ Do we fully honor a day of sabbath rest each week?
~ Do we make time in our day to turn off and from the things that distract?
~ Do we summon the courage to say “no” to requests or demands that are not ours to assume?
~ Do we examine the real impetus for our frenetic chasing – or what we may be trying to avoid?
We have much to learn from the soil. When can learn to set aside our plans and productivity for a time, inviting the hidden longings of our souls to rise to the surface. We can learn to schedule quiet and restful spaces for our depleted soils and souls to recover and replenish. We can learn the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” We can learn to embrace the natural rhythms of life and of God, a balance of work and rest that is essential for our well-being.
What will we not do today in order to grow abundantly tomorrow?
1Read more at Gardening Know How: What Is Fallow Ground: Are There Any Benefits Of Fallowing Soil https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-fallow-ground.htm
Photo by Karen, Hurricane, WV
FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: EXCUSE
Today’s Five Minute Friday word prompt brings a smile! I am reminded of a morning years ago, when my son was in high school…
The students were taking final exams, so they were on a different class schedule. As long as they had written permission from a parent, the students were allowed to leave the building during the hours when they were not testing. I knew my son had a few free hours, so I offered to write a note to excuse him from class.
He wouldn’t accept my offer. Instead, he informed me that he wanted to find a way to sneak out of the building! We laughed, but I suggested that he carry a note just in case he was caught. “No, thank you. That would take away the challenge,” he replied, and he headed out the door.
Later I relished hearing his story of how he DID find a way to sneak out, the clever ways he managed to get by some obstacles (including a hall monitor), and the small victory he felt when he succeeded. I could sense the thrill and excitement of the challenge in his voice.
And inwardly I wondered how many daring adventures I have missed, simply because I had an excuse.
(Five Minute Friday is an online writing community. Each week, we are given a one-word prompt and about five minutes to write. You may find other posts or add your own at the link above!)
A SEASON OF NEW GROWTH
INTRODUCTION
Here in the northern hemisphere, we are beginning to see new life all around us. We are in the beautiful springtime season, filled with buds and blooms and blossoms! The greening of the countryside is dotted with bursts of pinks, purples, whites, yellows. My neighbors are preparing their small garden plots for seeds and seedlings. Through this season, God is speaking to me of new beginnings, new growth, new life.
How might we sprout, grow, and flourish in this season of new life? In this blog series, the work of gardening will guide our reflections. We may have had a long and barren winter season, but our Creator God always brings forth growth and goodness from all situations and circumstances.
For the Lord will comfort Zion;
he will comfort all her waste places,
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.
(Isaiah 51:3 NRSV)
What are the ways you are hoping to live anew? How might we grow as genuine and faithful followers? My prayer is that these reflections will uplift weary spirits, bring fresh hope, and foster new growth. This is a new day, a new season, and we can become new people!
I found this lovely prayer to begin our time in the garden…
A Gardener’s Prayer
Help us, Oh God, to be ever mindful of the beauties around us. May we grow with our flowers in gentleness, patience, courage, laughter and love. As we turn the brown soil and plant our seed, may we learn faith… faith in the goodness of the earth, the clemency of the sun, the fullness of the clouds. May we be grateful for the privilege of being coworkers with You in the creation of even one tiny flower; And grant that we may know the great joy that comes from sharing with others.1
A reflection will be offered each Monday and Wednesday for the next few weeks – and on Fridays, I hope to resume Five Minute Friday posts. May you have a joyful weekend; see you on Monday!
1http://www.coldspringgardenclub.org/ by Julie Howard Motherall, adapted by Karen
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Bible verses found at BibleGateway.com
JOY
May the simple pleasures of this day
refresh your spirit and bring you joy.
Photo by Karen, Hurricane, WV.
My next blog series, “A Season of Growth,” begins next week!
QUESTION
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #6)
Early each morning, I simply ask God,
“What would you have me know today?”
I quietly listen and journal my thoughts
and the words I hear God say.
What would you have me know today?
I hope that when I inquire
I can set my agenda and purpose aside
and seek only God’s desire.
What would you have me know today?
Where will this new day lead?
Is there anything I am doing wrong?
What wisdom do I need?
I am often surprised and encouraged,
even corrected when I am wrong.
But in every message God has for me,
I hear I am loved… and belong.
This is the sixth of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is QUESTION. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo by Karen.
MIDDLE
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #5)
Help me to be in the middle, God,
as a conduit of your love.
Help me to be an advocate in the middle of…
injustice and equality
racism and unity
oppression and freedom
exclusion and welcome
Help me to be a provider in the middle of…
hunger and supply
poverty and plenty
illness and answers
fear and refuge
Help me to be a comforter in the middle of…
loneliness and love
grief and joy
hurt and healing
despair and hope
Help me to be “in the middle,” God,
with your love poured in, poured out.
This is the fifth of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is MIDDLE. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo by Karen.
REMEMBER
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #4)
For Sharon
I may always resent how she suddenly died,
but today I am thankful she lived.
I wish we could talk and laugh and confide,
but today I am grateful we did.
I am missing her more as the years go on,
but today I am keeping her near.
I grieve in her absence; I know she is gone
but today I am sensing her here.
I will never forget the tears and the pain,
but today I will rise above.
And maybe the heartache will always remain…
but today I remember the love.
This is the fourth of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is REMEMBER. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo taken by my husband Jim on the West Fork River, Roanoke, WV.
STORY
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #3)
Keep rewriting my story, God.
Under the light of your love, I can read it anew.
I find that all of the chapters have been renamed.
You have rewritten…
“Mistakes I Have Made” into “Lessons I Have Learned”
“Missteps and Detours” into “New Paths Discovered”
“Success and Victory” into “God’s Graciousness”
“Wounds and Hurts” into “Hopes and Healings”
“Trials and Tears” into “Peace and Provision”
“Surprising Joy” into “Deep Gratitude”
You have taken all of my ordinary
and shown me the extraordinary of you.
Thank you.
This is the third of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is STORY. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo taken by Karen at Valley Park, Hurricane, WV.
REFRESH
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #2)
REFRESH
A Prayer
Refresh my memory; but help me to see
the deeper meaning it holds for me.
Refresh my soul; but I need your embrace
as you perfect with correcting grace.
Refresh my spirit; that with joy renewed
I may learn to see your larger view.
Refresh my days; that with strength unabated
I may serve every purpose for which I’m created.
Refresh my heart; that I may become
an earthly example of our heavenly home.
This is the second of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is REFRESH. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo taken by Karen on the Jenny Lake trail, Grand Tetons.
VOICE
(HOPE*WRITER INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #1)
VOICE – A PRAYER
Though I cannot sing with the voice of an angel –
lilting and lovely and pure,
Let my voice ring out with the genuine joy
found in love that is certain and sure.
Though I cannot shout with the voice of an orator –
powerful, persuasive, and strong,
Let my voice speak up with your message of hope,
of a world where we bond and belong.
Though I cannot speak with the voice of a poet –
articulate, cadenced, and deep,
Let my voice softly whisper with tender care
of the goodness you promise to keep.
Though I cannot teach with the voice of an expert –
assuring and helpful and wise,
Let my voice contribute the wisdom received
when I let you be the one who supplies.
This is the first of a weeklong Instagram writing challenge from hope*writers! Today’s prompt is VOICE. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun.
Simply Soul Searching 