Falling.

What a refreshing month it has been! It began with our 3rd annual retreat at Lakeside, which was, as always, filled with fellowship and greatly-needed relaxation... and yesterday, being Valentine's Day (or Single Awareness Day, which ever you prefer), I received many sweet cards and gifts from my dear friends that the Lord has so graciously blessed me with.

In my last post, I ended with the idea of preparing for the next season -- and what that looked like. With this in mind, I'm going to attempt to combine these two events that have made a big impact on both my life and thought-process lately...

The central theme for our retreat this year was "Building Strongholds," and we had the pleasure of having Steve Demme speak (for all you home schoolers out there!). During one of the sessions, I found myself glancing back through my notes and noticing a pattern of one-particular reoccurring "idea." He continually referenced back to John 12:24... "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." He explained that in literally every area of life, we must be that  dying seed -- one who is willing to die to one's own desires and serve someone else. We are called to be this dying seed no matter what season of life we are in. It applies to honoring our parents, loving our siblings, showing kindness to our enemies, and serving our spouse.

A couple years ago, I painted a canvas with this Scripture verse on it and hung it on my wall. Coming home from the retreat, I will never look at the same way. It has so much more meaning in my life. In addition to this new "outlook," I have added a new characteristic to diligently pursue during my precious season! --- the falling process. As many will notice, dying is usually not a fast (or easy) process, especially for a kernel of wheat! And unless that seed dies, it cannot produce more seeds. Christ calls us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him. As I seek to become more like Christ, I know that it will involve the denial of myself (my wants, desires, and needs). But as I continue to pursue this attribute of humility, I know that it will also be beneficial, years down the road, for marriage -- "Greater love has no one than this:  that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). In fact, I've heard it said that marriage IS that picture of wheat... the giving of yourself in order to serve another person. Praise God for this beautiful picture He so clearly illustrates!

~ John 12:24 ~

                        ...embrace falling.

SDG