Thorns

We continue on our journey through the gospel of Mark in church today with our passages focusing on Chapter 4:1-20, the parable of the sower and seed.

How many times have I heard this parable, I know it pretty well.... usually think of it in terms of someone hearing the gospel and whether the Word takes root into a person's heart. Today with the help of our pastor I thought about it in terms of my day to day, especially with the busyness of the season

You have the seed that falls on hard ground that never take root, then those that fall on rocky ground, seeds are shallow, never develop a deep root system. Then you have the seeds that fall on good soil but it has thorns... those pesky thorns...my bible describes thorns as tough thistle-bearing weeds that use up avaliable space, light, and water that a good plants needs.

Thorns can be a real challenge for me this time of year, there is so much that competes for my attention. My to do list is long and my quiet time is short. I know the thorns are starting to take over when I begin to feel a little overwhelmed. Can you relate?

We have made changes in an effort to avoid the thorns from taking over. We have trimmed the list, simplified, resisted the need to do just because it's expected (that's a real hard one) and have decided on things that can just be let go.

Our tree is up, grandchildren decorated it (the one in the picture is from a lovely hotel we visited last winter) so it looks a little like Christmas at our house. Praying for contentment with a dose of daily weeding

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me  Psalm 119:133