Pet Gophers

I had this desire to see my yard become a beautiful garden. I spent time and effort weeding and putting in good soil. I studied the PH of the soil in my area, and what I needed to do to improve the ground. I made a plan and designed my flower beds. I planted trees and watered and knew in time I would have the perfect garden. Maybe not the garden of Eden, but in my minds eye it would be the envy of all my neighbors. Maybe I'd win an award or be featured in some garden magazine! I would turn our dessert landscape into an Oasis! A woman can dream can't she!???

Unfortunately I failed to consult with my other neighbors, the ones below the ground. My 2.5 acres of land had a plethora of them. I had noticed these little holes but never knew what they were. Suddenly plants were disappearing. Young trees were dying. All of my hard work and money disappearing without a trace! They never even stood a chance. My little neighbors had an army and they had invaded. GOPHERS! They were so well nourished on my garden they decided to populate and build homes to stay. I have tried everything to get rid of these pesky little critters. At first I tried humane ways, staking the ground with noise makers that would vibrate and make them leave, when that didn't work I tried smoke, filling holes with water, collapsing tunnels, gum, mothballs, poison, traps, anytime someone suggested something new I tried it. All to no avail. I have surrendered and allowed them the victory. I now grow things in pots and planters.

In life I feel the need to evaluate every situation and see what I can learn. My first thought was I was prideful, (Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.) There is no sin in dreaming, or planting a garden, or even in wanting a beautiful garden, but maybe wanting your yard to look better than everyone elses isn't such a good idea.

Next I thought of how my sins are like gophers and attacks of the enemy. (Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his transgressions shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.)

Some times we are working so hard for the Lord, trying all we can to keep our outward appearance above reproach that we fail to look below the surface to see the hidden places the enemy can attack.
If there is unconfessed sin in my life, or areas I fail to examine in the light of God's redeeming word, I can stumble without realizing it until it's too late. I have some pet gophers in my life. Pride, anger, and a real problem, which lately I am learning to overcome, being discontent.

Philippians 4:11 has been my new battle cry... "For I have learned to be content in all circumstances."

I have been learning recently, from Robert Jeffress book "The Road most Traveled: Releasing the power of Contentment in your life," that Contentment comes from the word containment. A person who is self contained drives satisfaction from inner resources rather than external sources. He finishes that thought with, "contentment means being at peace with the unchangeable circumstances, choices and even mistakes that shape our destiny." (pp 28-29) The apostle Paul embraced his destiny, in plenty or in want. Being content isn't just learning to live with the gophers in your life, it is the same lesson God was teaching me at Christmas, it is being at peace with the gophers, (unchangeable circumstances) without allowing them to cause me to become complacent and at ease in my sin. I am not perfect, I am learning to be content in all circumstances, and striving to be like the one who is!

Peace

This Christmas came and went so fast I can hardly believe it. We were sure things would be tight this year. (More so than usual anyway.) I am amazed at how the Lord provided for us. We got bonuses from our church, monetary gifts from congregation members, and bills paid off. While praising his name for His abundant provisions He gave me a wonderful reminder that I wanted to share.
As I sat there bathing in this profound sense of peace that truly passed all of "my" understanding I felt the beautiful presence of our Creator. In that moment the Lord spoke to me. He said, "Remember this peace." You know that peace you feel when the bills are paid, the kids are well, the house is clean, there's food in the pantry, there are no problems at work, your relationship with God is hot and on fire, and life in general is good? Everything is calm, there are no storms. Can you picture it? Can you feel it? Now take that feeling and hold on to it, that is the same peace you should feel when the storms of life are all around you and everything seems to be an uphill battle.

When I experience trials it is hard to be mindful of the presence and peace of God. I forget how, "he will never leave me, nor forsake me." God showed me that the next time troubles come I am to "Remember this peace." His peace is there when we are struggling to pay bills, or when children are sick. His peace does not leave when I am grieving over the loss of a friend to cancer. Nor does it leave when he places us in ministries that are tougher than I think I can handle. His peace is there when praying for a family member who does not know the presence of God in her life. His peace is one of His attributes. I can know this peace in good times and in bad. It is easier to understand His peace when life seems good. However, it is a much more powerful witness when we tenaciously take hold of that beautiful gift when life is anything but peaceful. God is in control of my life and my circumstances. I may not be perfect but I know the one who is.