The White Squall

I haven't written; I've had writer's block.
I haven't expressed myself; I've had an emotional wall.
I haven't spoken; I've been mute.
I haven't read; I've had my mind closed.

Minor cuts and scrapes. Penny sized bruises. Minute infractions. Diminutive at a glance; there's no need to share the affliction. The big things seemed so monstrous; the little things seemed so effortless.

With a white squall amidst, a massive wave crashes upon my squandered time. The realization set in… the swell which has enveloped my days was an accumulation of little things. It wasn't the big things after all.

I carry the affliction. I bare it on my shoulders. I see its weight in my eyes. I hear the imperfections in my voice. I feel the millstones in my heart.

So how to rid myself of this well developed burden? A burden whose heaviness is more savage than an innocent prey succumbing to a lion's vicious maul?

As I stammer across the fields of time, I bring every weight with me; slowly reaching a sordid pit. I take one burden at a time, gradually peeling each layer of sin off my surface and placing it at the foot of the cross.

For I know the voice of joy and the voice of gladness.
For I know 'not a trace will be left of the wicked or their families. The Lord protects His people, and they can come to Him in times of trouble. The Lord helps them and saves them from the wicked because they run to Him.'

And with this knowledge I bring the swell which has consumed me. I bring my battered and injured soul. I bring my heart, my mind, myself; all pieces of me.

I peel away the imperfections. I praise my Almighty Father. I pray for his mercy. I read and learn of His ways and wishes for me.

And in this the white squall subdues. What began as minute infractions; what brought me to a sordid pit has diminished at His feet! Now with hands raised high, I celebrate the grandeur of our Lord in a pinnacle of revelry!

Dare I share my story… Dare I speak of my defeats and triumphs… Dare I share stories of His glory…

Dare you listen and heed these words wholeheartedly?

by: DeAna Colon

Take A Step Back

I packed her bag and put her lunch together at night. My alarm clock was set for 6am and the plan was to leave the house by 7am. All was in place for the morning. Tomorrow would be my daughter’s 1st day of summer camp.

At 5:40am, she came into my room bright eyed & bushy-tailed, asking me to help her get ready for camp. I told her she was a little ahead of herself and sent her back to bed… in which she climbed into mine instead (lol). Needless to say, I don’t think she actually slept as I did. I believe she lay in bed with her eyes on the clock, waiting for the 1st sound of my alarm. She was so excited to start summer camp! She saw the camp’s activity calendar & saw all the wonderful things they have planned for the kids. Swimming, field trips, and activities of all sorts… she couldn’t wait!

Before getting upset at being woken up early, I took a (mental) step back and smiled at her excitement. I took joy in her smile. I savored the moment.

With that joy; with that plethora of wondrous emotion, it made me think about how our Father sees us, how He takes joy in us.

There are many times, as parents, that we must take a step back to let our child find their own path… take that first step… ride the bike without training wheels for the first time… or even see them fall and hope they have the courage and will to get back up. I believe God sees us in the same light.

He’s given us instruction. He’s informed us of how He wants us to live our lives. And He takes a step back. He’s always within arm’s reach but there’s enough space to allow us to make the decision… shall we stumble and falter to the world’s ways or shall we rise above the challenges of the flesh and glorify our Lord in every aspect of our lives?

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Read God’s Word. Understand it.
Live it. Put it into action in every aspect of your life.

1 Peter 2:1-2 tells us to "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,"

Romans 12:15-21 reads "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in the mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

With the guidance and love our Heavenly Father has provided, we should be able to make right decisions and flourish not only on Earth but beyond our years of life. In return, He will smile upon us as a proud parent smiles at their child’s accomplishment.

John 14:21
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Seeds

Have you ever passed a barren field in the winter that transforms into a beautiful field of flowers in the spring? Or seen someone constantly partying, living their life with the "Sex, Drugs and Rock-n-Roll" motto? And some time later they’ve tamed their ways, go to church, and follow a more humble lifestyle?

Well, the transformations of the barren field and the person have something in common… a seed.

One seed started the chain. One seed started the change from barren to beautiful. A seed within helped cultivate that person into a child of God. In our lives, God’s Word (the bible) is our seed.

Mark 4:30-31
Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground."

You see, God's Word is as alive as a seed. On the outside, the bible looks like just another ‘book’ with stories of yore, stories you might not imagine to be true. At first glance, the words look lifeless and powerless. But it is quite the opposite!!!

1 Peter 1:23-25
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

So why is the bible compared to a seed? Let’s list the similarities:

LIFE GIVING
A Seed - Its outside look is very deceiving. A seed has the ingredients needed WITHIN to produce tangible life, one that appeases the senses.

The Word of God - Its outside look is very deceiving. The bible has the messages within its pages needed to familiarize you more with God and ways to transform yourself into His vessel. He speaks through them to accomplish His purposes.

Luke 8:11
This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action).


PLANTING
A Seed - Seeds can’t grow as they are… they must be planted in the right place to see fruitful results.

The Word of God - In order for the Word of God to produce in your life, you must plant His Word in your heart and mind. READ and SPEAK the Word!

Romans 10:10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.


SIZE
A Seed - A seed is tiny compared to the size of the plants is brings into being.

The Word of God - The problems we face in life seem enormous at times and scripture seems so minimal in size compared to it. If the word of God is well planted, it will grow within you and will prevail over your trials.

Matthew 13:31
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.


POWER
A Seed - A seed is able to grow through dirt and rocks. It pushes its way to the light.

The Word of God - If God’s Word is planted in your heart and mind, it will also push through the dirt and rocks in your life.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.


TIME
A Seed - A seed does not produce over night. It takes time to see its harvest.

The Word of God - It takes time to see the fruit of God’s Word working in your life. You must remain strong and steadfast, well planted in His Word, and when God is done preparing or molding you, He will use you for His doings. As anxious as you may get; as prepared as you think you might be, you must remember that this is all done in God’s timing. His timing is perfect and only He knows when we are truly ready.

Psalm 92:12-13
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.


NOURISHMENT
A Seed - A seed which is dug up, or not watered, will not produce.

The Word of God - The seed of God’s Word (in you) must be protected and taken care. This is accomplished by being in the Word, praying and living out the Word. We must put our knowledge into practice. If we are only seers (reading) and not doers then we will not grow. We must act.

Isaiah 55:8-11
"For 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.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


HARVEST
A Seed -The more seeds planted, the greater the harvest.

The Word of God - The more seeds planted, the greater the harvest. Grow in God’s Word. Apply it to every aspect of your life and you will reap a bountiful harvest! Keep in mind that you are planting seeds by the way you live your life. People are always watching so even if you are not actively witnessing to someone, you may be planting a seed by what you actions.

2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.


We are taught as babes to cherish the miracle of growth, to embrace the natural beauties of the world. We are taught that plants and fruits all begin with a seed; a planted, well nourished seed.

Our lives should be viewed the same way. With God’s Word planted in us; with His scriptures of life growing in our hearts, we will develop into a natural beauty in His eyes… a child of God! We will emulate His design. We will prosper in every corner of our lives. We will triumph over all challenges.

And it all begins with a little seed.

It all begins by reading the bible.