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I spread the cards out like a dealer at a Las Vegas casino. “Pick a card, any card,” I say to Mark. He raises his eyebrows and reaches out to take one. Fortunately these cards aren’t actually a gamble; there’s no ace of spades or queen of diamonds.
Instead Mark is holding a simple white notecard with messy handwriting in black ink on one side. I’ve been writing down a name of God every morning along with a Scripture to go with it. Mark has chosen, “Grower: So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor. 3:7).
He smiles and says, “Of all the cards I could have picked….” He doesn’t even need to finish the sentence. In the shorthand that couples who have been married for awhile speak, I know what he’s saying. We especially need God to be this to us now. We’re in the midst of a growing season—new business opportunities for Mark, launching a book for me, welcoming a grand baby for both of us.
It’s so easy in seasons like this one to start believing it all depends on us. Perhaps you’ve experienced this too. You look at your children and think, “I have to make sure they grow up to follow God.” You look at your work and whisper, “I have to make sure it grows into a success.” You look at the dream waiting like an egg in the nest of your heart and tell yourself, “I have to make sure it grows wings.”
But the reality is we can’t make anything grow. This sounds so contrary to our hustle and strive, stress out and make-it-happen culture. Yet it’s a reality that can bring back our peace, slow down our breathing, return the joy to our relationships.
Yet just because we can’t make things grow doesn’t mean we’re supposed to hang out on the couch all day. Wise Solomon said, “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well” (Eccl. 11:6).
In other words, our role is daily obedience and God’s role is results.
We spend intentional time nurturing the hearts of our children even though we can’t force them to choose faith.
We do our work well and with excellence even though the outcome of the project is uncertain.
We take the next step in our dream even when it feels hard and risky.
We can be faithful workers, loving parents and diligent dreamers. Like farmers who plant and water, we do what’s within our realm of responsibility. But in the end, we leave it all in God’s hands.
This makes a difference because we don’t have to carry the weight of what ultimately happens. We also don’t claim it as our identity. The “failure” isn’t proof that we’re inadequate and the praise isn’t proof that we’re to be worshipped. Both are too much for us to carry. Instead we can release all the criticism and praise to God and simply do the next thing He asks. Whew.
And here’s the promise we can cling to: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). There will be growth. It may not look like what we planned but it will come in its season.
Mark and I bow our head and pray. It’s time to start another day.
God, it’s so easy to live as if everything depends on us. Thank You that instead we can fully depend on You. Help us to live in obedience today and leave the rest to You. You are the Grower. You are the Life-giver. You are the Difference-Maker. You are working mysteriously and mightily in our lives today. Amen.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
– If you liked this post then you’ll love You’re Made for a God-sized Dream or Opening the Door to Your God-sized Dream {devotional}.
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Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
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Your post came at just the right time as I prepare to head to She Speaks with my book proposal – it reminded me that I need only show up and do what I can to the best of the abilities and then leave it to God. What a blessing this morning!
Julia,
She Speaks is the best conference! It’s as much worship service as it is conference. Soak in everything God has for you there!
Books and babies: the best way to grow!
I love this! And we’re waiting for a grandbaby as well — so exciting! Trusting for grace to grow in our roles as mums and grandmums, and thankful that He’s in charge of this process.
What a season! Congratulations on your book baby and grandbaby! And I love how you pulled out GROWER from that scripture. I’m going through the attributes of God right now and it is to our benefit that we dig down as deep as we can to know God more.
Thank you for writing this, Holley! <3
Perfect words for this season (for you and your Mark and me and mine!).
Blessings in this season!
simple truth, so easily lost in our bustle to get things growing! thanks, Holley! and bless your burdeoning ministry and family!
Holley, your words are always so peaceful to me. You have such a calming effect on me when I read your blog. All your messages are encouraging and God bless you for sharing with us. xoxo
Debbie, I agree! I always feel peaceful after reading Holley’s words of encouragement and wisdom!
Holley- your words spoke to my heart today! Thank you!
Oh, Holley – how do you always seem to know EXACTLY what my heart needs to hear? It’s through the power of His Spirit, I know… but it never ceases to amaze me. THANK YOU for providing the encouragement and reminders of truth that I need.
Thank you for the inspiration today. =)
This is right on time. There is a clear way to know when you are off track or out of balance…when you start to feel like you are responsible for the outcome. What a great reminder that we don’t have to do the heavy lifting. we just have to walk in obedience.
Such a timely message and perfect reminder that we can’t make *anything* grow! Congratulations on your book baby and grand baby Holley! So excited for you (and the family). <3
As always, such beautiful truth, Holley! Thanks for reminding me that I need to release myself into His infinitely capable hands as I head into She Speaks! I’m committing to Him to unleash His plans through me, whatever they might be!
Beautiful words of encouragement and love found everywhere on your blog. May the Lord continue to bless and encourage you as you write for Him!
My mind knows God is in charge and the results are up to him and yet I act like I am responsible for the results. I needed to hear your words this morning to give it to God. Your post brought tears streaming down my face and the courage to let it go and let God have it.
I am going to write down- ““Grower: So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor. 3:7).” and post it up for me to see.
I need to remember God is the grower, not me.
Thank you for your beautiful post.
Maree
Holley, Your message today is what I needed!! In fact, I had been so struggling to make a dream grow, then, it came crashing down, to coffee on the patio this morning reading your message spoke to my heart!! I had been moving forward even though, yet, the answers I wanted were not the ones I heard from the person I so depended on: the person on my heart, let me down. I picked up the pieces, glued those back together, found peace and strength while resting, in my rests I bought flowers for my place, a candle to freshen the air, a summer wreath for my front door. Realized like your post today, I can water the seeds of growth, but I alone cannot make a dream grow: only God can. Thank you for your words, words do matter. Congratulations on your grandbaby!!
First time commenting and participating in the link-up.
I needed to read this today, Holley. My blog/ministry is small and sometimes I wonder why keep going on with it. Others can do “better.” Thank you for reminding me that my job is to obey. God brings out of it what He wishes.
Thank you, Holley, for speaking hope and encouragement into our lives. With others who have already commented here, I DO want to remain in Jesus, obeying him and allowing his Spirit to speak and work through me. I DO want to be responsible for the tasks of each day–those that he has purposed for me. And I DO want to release the results to him–even if it doesn’t look like what I expected. That is my prayer!
You explain this so brilliantly! This part touched my heart and made me want to scream — finally!
“God’s plan had always been to bring His people to a place where they could settle. In other words, a place where they could dwell and thrive.”
Love it!