Rocks in my Wagon

Hey Girlfriend!

I have returned from a lovely vacation in the Northwest, where I have witnessed first hand the true wonder of God's workmanship. The mountains were amazing, the lush green walls of trees were breath-taking. How amazing God is!!! I wish I could have taken each one of you along in my luggage, but now that you pay $25.00 per bag - I don't think I could afford it! Nonetheless, you were in my thoughts and prayers while I was there.

I see by the previous blogs that my precious friend and co-laborer Debbie has faithful blogged the first three chapters of the book with you. How I treasure her! I often say that together we make a whole person - and I believe it. I would be lost without her. So thank you Debbie for caring for all our friends while I traveled. God loves you dearly Debbie and so do I!

Well, this week we spent some time working our way through Chapter 4 "The Cure". I don't know about you, but I perked right up when I saw that title. I love the idea of fixin something. However, to my surprise (or maybe not) after reading Chapter 4 I found the fixin that was needed was ME! I could completely see myself in the illustration where God asked someone to take 3 rocks in a wagon up the mountain. However in route to the mountain they picked up other rocks from well meaning people along the way. Finally, the wagon became so full that ultimately they couldn't accomplish the one thing God asked them to do because they were so encumbered by other rocks that God never asked them to carry. I'm sure each of those rocks were good quality rocks - they just were not the rocks God wanted them to take up the mountain. Could you see yourself in the story?

All too often we find our sweet spot with God: The passion of our heart, the joy of our soul the one thing God has asked us to do and we head out on our call, our mission, our journey. However somewhere along that journey we pick up other 'rocks'. Sometimes out of a feeling of duty, guilt, selfishness or simply because a well meaning person asked us to take a good decent rock up the mountain for them. And before we know it we can no longer accomplish the one thing God ask of us because our wagon was far to difficult for us to pull any longer.

This is not what God has intended for us - His Yolk is light. Seems to me we need to be very wise in how we work for God. What joy Satan gets when he can overwhelm us right out of service! In "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World", Joanna Weaver beautifully calls us back to the Art of Worship - God's original request. When we worship Him and allow Him to dictate our path, that is when we free ourselves up from all that entangles us and we can strive towards what He has called us to do. We find freedom in the word 'No' as well as the word 'Yes'. How do we do this? EWED. Every Woman, Every Day - By being in scripture and prayer daily. When we take time to read the Bible, pray over it and ask God to show us how to apply it to our life - He will! God desires to direct your path, but we must stop to 1. Ask what we should pack in our wagon and 2. ask for directions up the mountain.

I have seen first hand the beautiful vistas that God has create for a mountain climb. He has placed His workmanship at key points in the journey so you forget the effort of pulling the wagon and engage in the beauty of His creation. Thus our wagon must be light enough that we walk with our head up taking in the sites rather than buried in our chest as we struggle with a burdensome wagon and miss out on all He has placed in our path for us to enjoy.

So girls, let's pull our little red wagons (or pink if you prefer) off to the shoulder and take inventory. What has God asked you to carry? What are you carrying out of guilt, fear,out of habit or because of a simple request you didn't decline? Today set aside some time to dump any rocks that need to find another wagon to ride in (see page 55 for helpful hints on dumping rocks). This will lighten your load and allow you to admire the view along the way afterall, God made it just for you!

Before I close I have two questions for you from the study guide at the back of the book (page 213). How I would LOVE to hear back from you on what God is showing you through this study.

Question 3: What do you think Jesus meant when He told Martha in Luke 10:38-42 that only one thing was needed? Hum...this is a good one.

Question 4d: Why may the one thing God asks us to do be different from what He requires of someone else? (consider 1 Cor. 13:3 and Phil 3:4-7)

I can't wait to hear your answers just post them in the comment section! And be sure to join me next week when we review Chapter 5.

How I hate to close out this blog, my heart so desires to hear your thoughts and chat through this book with you.
Blessings my friend. Kathy