Monday, March 6, 2023

Monday #7 do not grow weary...

 


One morning in 2017, whilst studying the book of Galatians, my attention was held by this verse in chapter 6…

"And let us not grow weary of doing good for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

I could sense God pressing His finger on my heart and whispering in my ear -

"This is for you, memorise it, come back to it, trust Me in that promise." 

A few months later I drew up this design and stitched it slowly, reminding myself to hold HIS words of life close, especially as it had become very clear that I needed to live out that verse in real time. We may all be challenged at some stage in life by people or circumstances which drain every ounce of goodness, thus depleting our reserves and leaving us mentally, physically or spiritually exhausted. We might decide to give up if things have gone too far, walk away, or withdraw from life and hide at home for a season, and sometimes that’s a healthy thing to do, because when we’ve been emptied, there’s nothing left to give. 

For some though, this season may not have the option to step aside, so for them, climbing into God's lap is crucial, possibly life saving...but in due season, if we keep an attitude of goodness and not bitterness, God will fill us again, and we shall reap from His goodness, care and love.


When we’re exhausted, and life adds more concerns to what we’re already carrying, we may get cranky with those closest to us, and perhaps find ourselves hosting a pity party which serves a platter of bitter thoughts and plays lonesome tunes of ‘woe is me’. Gosh, I have thrown myself quite a few of those parties over the years, and they never end well…until I bow my head, repent, and invite God to pick me up and carry me in His ever so strong arms until things settle and I am able to walk on my own two feet again - and friends, He Who is gracious, merciful and forgiving, always, always, picks me up, for when I humble myself, He is quick to respond.

The situation may not yet have changed, but through Him, I have changed, and my heart is kind, caring, desiring to good once more, for I believe that in due season I shall reap a harvest if I do not give up.

 

My prayer today is that if you have found bitterness creeping in, or you’re planning a pity party, that you are able to push past those feelings and keep doing good, finding your rest in Him, handing over your problems, concerns, loneliness, needs, misunderstandings and all those things which weigh heavy on your heart, humbling yourself before your Heavenly Father, and trusting Him to carry you lovingly and deliberately through this season because your heart is right once more.

God has said - "And let us not grow weary of doing good for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." – and that’s exactly what He means.

If you'd like to stitch this pattern, please accept it as a free gift from one sister-in-Christ to another. Use the link below to download it. 

DOWNLOAD the pattern

Bless you heaps,



13 comments:

Joanne said...

Hi Jennifer,
These Monday posts are uplifting :)
Nice fussy cut fabric :) Lovely stitching :)
Wishing your week ahead is a good one !
hugs, take care,
Joanne

Carol P. said...

Thank you Jennifer for the devotional and the pattern. May you have a blessed day.
Carol P.

Cheryl said...

What a gift you are in sharing, and how very sweet is God’s perfect timing.

Small Joys said...

Dear Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing your personal and faith journey, the ups, the downs and the in-betweens. Thank you as well for the patterns! God bless, Joy

Susan said...

Thank you, Jennifer. It's a wonderful pattern and a wonderful verse to hold close. I manage to keep bitterness out of my life almost all the time, and that also removes a lot of regrets. Things are connected. Christ is my refuge, and there's no room for bitterness or regret with that. I hope you have a wonderful week of studying His word and putting it to work in your life. =)

Mary-Lou said...

Beautiful pattern Jennifer. Thank you and so true.

Lilian said...

Jenny, thank you for these words. I didn't realise that I needed to hear them until tears came. Galatians 6:9 I will cling to the promise and stitch your beautiful design to remind me. Bless you.

Donna P. said...

Beautiful....and perfect timing as this will be perfect for someone I hold dear. Thank you.
Blessings to you and yours

Miriam said...

Nice post as always. Thank you. Let’s continue to pray for each other.
Miriam from Italy

Anonymous said...

Dear Jennifer~
You've no idea how much I needed this today! I won't go into details, but a neighborhood bully has decided we are his new target. It's difficult, but we are trying to make the best of it. Today I wanted to close the gate, and climb under the covers ;) I needed this reminder so!! Thank you and take care, Donna

Tammy said...

Dearest Jennifer,
Thank you so very much for your beautiful and well timed post. I really needed this today. Also thank
you for the beautiful pattern . It is such a pretty design. I am so tired today. And have lots of stress on me currently . Love you my beautiful friend. Prayers being said for you and your beautiful family

Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much for this post today. It comes at a very timely moment in my life. May God bless you for your kindness!

Ondrea said...

Many people and things challenge us throughout our lives and sometimes we become jaded and feel that our efforts are a waste of time . A lovely verse.