Laity Lodge 2013
The window frames crack and moan as winter winds howl across Texas. The view that I paid extra for is frosted over obscuring the view of this weekend amongst writers.
All night, through my slumber I heard the conversation between my soul and my God; Questions of purpose and plan and future. He listens with grace – so patiently, but silence seems His reply.
My soul talks with Him about his community of writers that I have come to know and love. Their wisdom is mind blowing; their accomplishments staggering. They are some of the voices heard around the world.
The child in me, who was more cerebral than vocal, feels like she is yet to find her voice.
And the sound of the wind brushing past the window halts my writing … I listen.
A man is coughing, a toilet flushes, and the wind stops for a few minutes – all is silent… before the wind blows again against the widows.
I listen to the North wind blow, hoping for some message from God – there is none.
Braving the cold rain and wind, I step onto the balcony and gaze at the water below hoping for some revelation knowledge in its current. None is heard.
Returning to the warmth and comfort of my chair, I open the leather-bond Voice to Ezekiel 36: 8-15.
Pink, Yellow and green highlighter glow across the scriptures that captured me in times of spiritual clarity. My fingers caress the names written in the margin next to the verses – verses that I have prayed for the names scribbled in blue on pages of black and white.
“Put forth your branches and bear fruit for my people. I am for you, and I will turn to you and you shall be cultivated and sown.” Calls the messenger of God.
“You Shall Be”
Not you will do, Not you will achieve…
“You Shall Be”: An announcement, an act of responsibility on the part of another.
“You Shall Be”: because God will Achieve.
You Shall Be – planted in His place of choice
You Shall Be – grown in soil He prepared for you
You Shall Be – planted with seed from the fruit of another
You Shall Be – pruned (It is a Wound) because it brings forth the best fruit.
“So what is my purpose?” my soul asks to my God? “Shall I spread forth my branches and bear fruit for others?”
And, in this fruit bearing there is glory only for the Father.
It is not my work that bears fruit nor is it my intellect, or my intuition, or my introspection that causes fruit to bear.
It is the Father who works, who prepares, who plants, who prunes.
My job is in the drought and strong winds to grow my roots deeply in the foundation He has laid for me in which to grow.
My job is to bloom with the cold spring rains.
My job is to grow good fruit in hot summer sun,
My job is to release my fruit for others in the gentle autumn breeze
My Job is to rest in winter’s cold.
Then the seed that comes from the fruit I bear God will take to the filed of another. And in the field of another he will cultivate and sew seeds he began with me.
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Diane..your words were beautiful and pure. I hear your heart and receive the lesson you’ve shared.
Deep calls to deep, Lisha. It is what the Lord speaks to your heart that you are hearing…not me. Love you!
Oh my! This is lovely in thoughts, words, and photographs. I have been wondering about purpose of late and this is perfect for me. Thank you, Diane, for sharing with us.
Having recently been to the Texas Hill Country just before that cold front hit (we got it down here near Corpus Christi, too!), I know the beauty of that area in the fall and other seasons. But I believe the fall is the most glorious, and being with so many other writers must have been a special time.
Linda, Thank you for stopping by. I understand your love of Texas. God was showing us some real beauty there this year.
Oh. my. stars sweet friend. This is beyond lovely. Beyond touching. Beyond the cerebral realm…thank you.
Thank you Sweet friend! I miss having face time with you!