Comments on: Heavy Branches http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/ Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:22:12 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Megan Lindsay http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-329028 Megan Lindsay Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:04:00 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-329028 Writing is the one thing that hs always made me feel most fruitful. And I say "feel" fruitful, because I know sometimes I have very little actual fruit to show for the effort. At least to the outside world. But to God I know my two farthings may be more valuable than a whole pile of money. It's my offering of what He has planted. Sometimes I also worry that I'm wasting time, but I believe the beautiful cliche that the Lord made me love the sweat and tears of writing for a reason. So when I'm anxious, that's also when I pray the most for the Lord to send lots of gift wrapping. I just can't help wanting to worship Him with my words packaged with a big red bow on top. Years ago I began praying for the Lord to give me the courage to bleed (to steal a wonderful phrase from Pastor Joost Nixon), wherever He would send me to bear fruit. And just see if the Lord didn't open wide the floodgates of blessing! He not only gave me the courage I asked for, but then He also gave me the opportunity to write a book of all things. I know my book may never even be published after these long months stretching into years. But the fruit is all for Him, and I've never felt more alive bearing it. Writing is the one thing that hs always made me feel most fruitful. And I say “feel” fruitful, because I know sometimes I have very little actual fruit to show for the effort. At least to the outside world. But to God I know my two farthings may be more valuable than a whole pile of money. It’s my offering of what He has planted.

Sometimes I also worry that I’m wasting time, but I believe the beautiful cliche that the Lord made me love the sweat and tears of writing for a reason. So when I’m anxious, that’s also when I pray the most for the Lord to send lots of gift wrapping. I just can’t help wanting to worship Him with my words packaged with a big red bow on top.

Years ago I began praying for the Lord to give me the courage to bleed (to steal a wonderful phrase from Pastor Joost Nixon), wherever He would send me to bear fruit. And just see if the Lord didn’t open wide the floodgates of blessing! He not only gave me the courage I asked for, but then He also gave me the opportunity to write a book of all things. I know my book may never even be published after these long months stretching into years. But the fruit is all for Him, and I’ve never felt more alive bearing it.

]]> By: Seda http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-324682 Seda Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:28:14 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-324682 thanks for such a beautiful image to keep me going throughout the week! thanks for such a beautiful image to keep me going throughout the week!

]]> By: Whitney http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-324410 Whitney Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:56:58 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-324410 Wonderful post! Thank you! Wonderful post! Thank you!

]]> By: Katie http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323349 Katie Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:21:16 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323349 This rings true to me in the area of disciplining small children. I imagine that the fruit of discipline is not having to discipline YET AGAIN for the VERY SAME THING in the not too distant future. But that mindset just brings discouragement the next time big brother pushes little brother down. Again. How bout them apples? I guess I'll just let them lie, and discipline again. This rings true to me in the area of disciplining small children. I imagine that the fruit of discipline is not having to discipline YET AGAIN for the VERY SAME THING in the not too distant future. But that mindset just brings discouragement the next time big brother pushes little brother down. Again. How bout them apples? I guess I’ll just let them lie, and discipline again.

]]> By: Megan Okimoto http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323346 Megan Okimoto Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:39:48 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323346 Well, I for one am off to make a horse out of chocolate, to lay on top of my daughter's birthday cake. I have certainly wondered more than once what I've gotten myself into with this bit of work...as I've never tried to make any kind of recognizable animal from chocolate before. We'll see. Well, I for one am off to make a horse out of chocolate, to lay on top of my daughter’s birthday cake. I have certainly wondered more than once what I’ve gotten myself into with this bit of work…as I’ve never tried to make any kind of recognizable animal from chocolate before. We’ll see.

]]> By: missy http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323338 missy Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:11:24 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323338 What a brilliant bit of insight, both Rachel's and Valerie's. I have never thought of fruitfulness in this way, but it gives me so much to think about in areas where I know I'm not as fruitful as I could be. Thank you for this post. What a brilliant bit of insight, both Rachel’s and Valerie’s. I have never thought of fruitfulness in this way, but it gives me so much to think about in areas where I know I’m not as fruitful as I could be.
Thank you for this post.

]]> By: Valerie (Kyriosity) http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323325 Valerie (Kyriosity) Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:34:03 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323325 But CANdis, CAN you do the CAN-CAN while you CAN your tomatoes? :lol: But CANdis, CAN you do the CAN-CAN while you CAN your tomatoes? :lol:

]]> By: Candis http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323202 Candis Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:23:02 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323202 Thank you for the post. I canned 55 quarts of tomatoes this September and a close friend commented that she doesn't can because it isn't cost effective. That statement has been rolling around in my head for weeks...causing me to wonder if all of my time and effort are worth it. At the discount store I can buy large cans of tomatoes for less than I canned my own tomatoes that were purchased from a farm stand. So as far as money goes it may not be worth it. But I enjoy the hard work, and I know my tomatoes are made well...just the way we like them. Your post helped to bolster my conviction that I am glad to be fruitful in this way. P.S. Don't you love that "can" has three different meanings in this post...I do! Thank you for the post. I canned 55 quarts of tomatoes this September and a close friend commented that she doesn’t can because it isn’t cost effective. That statement has been rolling around in my head for weeks…causing me to wonder if all of my time and effort are worth it. At the discount store I can buy large cans of tomatoes for less than I canned my own tomatoes that were purchased from a farm stand. So as far as money goes it may not be worth it. But I enjoy the hard work, and I know my tomatoes are made well…just the way we like them. Your post helped to bolster my conviction that I am glad to be fruitful in this way. P.S. Don’t you love that “can” has three different meanings in this post…I do!

]]> By: Natalie http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323181 Natalie Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:41:59 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323181 I suppose what I mostly got out of this is that rolling up your sleeves for work that may or may not be worthwhile is better than sitting around waiting for the absolutely right thing to do. Heck, even pulling out my dusty old dulcimer would be better than sitting around reading internet comics. I suppose what I mostly got out of this is that rolling up your sleeves for work that may or may not be worthwhile is better than sitting around waiting for the absolutely right thing to do. Heck, even pulling out my dusty old dulcimer would be better than sitting around reading internet comics.

]]> By: Sarah French http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323164 Sarah French Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:07:56 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/09/29/heavy-branches/#comment-323164 Those are some mighty and many thoughts to ponder. A much better path for my mind to walk than where it was headed this evening. Thanks for the encouragement and the challenge Rachel. Those are some mighty and many thoughts to ponder. A much better path for my mind to walk than where it was headed this evening. Thanks for the encouragement and the challenge Rachel.

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