Hand to the Plough

I joined a gym a few months ago. This particular gym was new and still had plenty of equipment available for work outs. But recently, since the new year has begun, it is hard to find an empty machine. Regardless, of the time of day, most machines were occupied by new gym members.

Each new member was working out with great vigor and expectation of good things on the horizon. But in the space of a few weeks, the number of members and available equipment has fallen back to normal. Sigh.

Most of us are like that about a new step in life. Excited and ready to start immediately! Yet, results in most areas of life are not seen immediately. You have to persevere. Stick to it. There is a slow, steady ploughing of a new endeavor. A ploughing that breaks through the initial problem areas and then a reworking to a workable plan. Success.

My encouragement this week is to encourage you to put your hand back on the plough. Whether you are ploughing spiritually, physically, or mentally.

Do not give up. Even in gardening, the fields have to be ploughed repeatedly until the soil is pliable, broken up and ready for the applied seed. Prepare your fields. Do your part.

Eventually, there will be a harvest. Remember, even a field that is not ploughed will break through with weeds. Seeds are everywhere. Plant what you want to grow.

Be diligent......hands steady on the plough, working toward the desired harvest in your life and the lives of others.

~Debbie

© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Choose Your Path Carefully

Going Home ©  1996 Debbie Turner Chavers

 Last week-end, I found myself on a road that appeared on the surface to be quite firm.
But I would soon learn that appearances can be deceiving!

We (husband and I) had a break in the weather and after being trapped inside for days, we decided to go for a drive.

So we drove to the country on the other side of Nashville.

Hills and valleys, streams and rivers. The country side was beautiful. We finally arrived at a scenic place to get out and take a walk through the woods. My husband began to look for a firm place to pull over and park off the road.
The road bed and the surrounding roadside appeared firm.

No standing water, yet beneath the surface, the clay mixed road bed had thawed, froze again, and thawed again after a hard rain.

Everything looked beautiful in the forest. The evergreen trees were freshly washed from the previous rain. The country road was not dusty and the sky was blue with just a hint of breeze blowing. Just beautiful.
Until..... we pulled off the road.

Life can be like this at times. The path your on, appears to be just fine. Until you take a moment to pull over. If we had examined our path closely we would have noticed that the road was fairly firm but just inches into the side of the road the land was mush!

Quickly realizing our mistake, we turned the wheel and started moving backwards.
Well, sort of. We actually moved backwards and forwards, and backwards and forwards with much prayer and steady slight turning of the steering wheel.
Going forward into the mush seemed counter productive but the driver hoped to find more solid ground on which to get a running start toward the road.
But we had made a rut.
Sometimes even our well meaning actions to get out of a mess....put us in a rut.
After much effort and many false starts we finally made it back to within a few feet from the road. Not back on the firm ground of the road bed. But close.
So close....yet so far. Long story short. We have a friend who lives right off that country road who has a tractor.
We walked down the road and our friend pulled us out of the ditch with that beautiful country tractor. After a bit of effort he pulled us out of our dilemma, for which we are very grateful.
What could have been a huge aggravation ended on a positive note because of the help of a friend when we wandered off the path.

Life is like that. God has a chosen path for us to follow and yet if we through accident or rebellion wander off it, He is prepared to rescue you if you will come to Him and ask.
Don't leave your life or your truck in a ditch. Get some help. I am glad we did.

~Debbie

© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers


Proverbs 4:26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Boundaries, This is Important

Boundaries can be ancient landmarks, ways or laws that were established in our life time or far before the day we were born. In our current society there is not much respect held for boundaries that were put in place to be beneficial to mankind, spiritually and physically.
In general I have seen a repetitive mindset that throws all things away in lieu of something new.
Not better. Just new.

Today I traveled many small towns and back roads and appreciated the boundaries that were set in place, a neighboring fence, a stop sign, a sign that warned of sharp curves ahead, one lane bridges, etc.....
Large and small boundaries that made my day and my path so much easier to navigate.

Man established these boundaries and at will, can and has changed these boundaries.
Yet, God gave us boundaries that are never to be changed by mere man.

Some old places I passed had been designated as landmarks, historical landmarks.
One building even stated on the front "This is important"
So man has recognized some ancient landmarks and yet ignores or replaces thousands of others that have far greater value to the spiritual and physical needs of our nation.

Each dismissed boundary shouts from our past "This is Important"

I am one, you are one. In my life I can choose to honor God's word and obey the boundaries that His love for me has established. As an individual I can daily find a way to establish God's word, His ancient landmark in my heart and my everyday life.
In the physical realm, I can let my voice be heard for the good.
There are many ways to establish a landmark or recognize and honor our ancient spiritual and physical landmarks.
Set a precedence.
You are the generation that will establish your children's landmarks.
Be one.
A vocal, active one.
I am one. You are one.
Make a difference.


~Debbie


Proverbs 22:28
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.