Cultivating Good "Heart" Soil

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Beat down. Hoed under. Words that sting. Life digging at you, getting under your skin.

Have you ever felt that way?

Lately I’ve been pondering Matthew 13, the parable of the sower.  Oh, that my own heart would be the good soil that He spoke of, and that my life would produce that same abundant fruit!

Somehow, though, my life seems messy. Things can get downright dirty. I sometimes fall. Struggling, I get up, brush myself off, and try again. And again. And yet again.

Then I am reminded that my own righteousness is like filthy rags; that I can’t do this on my own.

To get good soil, the Gardener will pull weeds and chop down thorny areas, but He must also add compost and manure and allow worms and bees. To the casual observer, these things may seem more like hindrances, like things that should be removed, but the Gardener knows their necessity. It’s part of the process of transforming, molding, shaping.

It’s uncomfortable for me. Dying to self is not easy. Lord, not my will, but yours.

Till up the ground, add the compost, let the worms make holes, let the bees buzz all around. He’s using these things to make me what He wants me to be. Adding nutrients to the soil is much like how He adds strength to us. He adds His strength to our areas of weakness. He makes continual amendments. Tomorrow, next week, next month, I will continually become better soil, if I let Him work on my heart and in my life.

I want the beautiful flowers and fruits. It’s not always easy to get to that place. But it’s encouraging to know that He’s still working on me, carefully preparing my heart. I can feel Him.

He’s not through with me yet.

"The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"  ~ Matthew 13:23, NLT

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Hear from other mamas at Finer Things Friday, Gratituesday, Word Filled Wednesday, Works For Me Wednesday, and Tuesday Tips.
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