In the Garden: Iron Sharpens Iron

In the Garden

One of my favourite memories of my Grandma Wall was hearing her hum to the hymn "In the Garden". We had an old 45 record of the song in German. As many things in life we have warm feelings associated with those we love...and I adored my Grandma.

As I grew up I had no idea that when I married my last name would be Lilly. I loved the name as it was associated with a family who had been faithful in ministry and lived a life of integrity in their community. I am proud to carry that name.

Now I have a family of my own who I desire to raise with the same faithfulness to the Master Gardener. I am His apprentice and nothing motivates me more than to be the kind of parent to my children that He is to me.

Today I was reading a blog of a friend of mine who has just recently had her 7th child. I was so encouraged by the blog that I felt I should start one. I pray that as I share my life in the blog that it will be a source of encouragement and light to you.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Iron Sharpens Iron

I have often in my journey said I didn't know how people "do life" without the Lord. Throughout my life, my marriage, my parenting, the Lord had brought people into my life that helped me and walked with me through my journey. Recently I have been working through the Bible Study Believing God by Beth Moore and she has taken us through an exercise where you look back at the amazing hand of God throughout our lifetime...even the times you didn't really know Him. It has been amazing, humbling, staggering, and breath taking to see that hand of God through people in my life.

In the past several years I have been blessed with a dear friend who shares many of the same passions that I do. She has such a beautiful, tender spirit that is so transparent. It has touched my life in so many ways.

Often one of the ways the Lord uses her to guide me is the way she shares her present experiences. I will frequently read (we text alot) of her struggles and see how I am walking a similar bumpy road. For me it has been easier to clearly see God's perspective of my struggles as I hear of hers. (Does that make any sense?)

Today, once again, I was harsh, unkind and angry with the boys because they just never seem to get out of bed when I need them to move. I'm often impatient in the morning and am working to change that in myself.

One of the emotions I default to is "If they loved me, they would obey me!". Although the Lord showed me long ago it really is not about ME at all...I often lose my self control as I lose control over them (especially in the morning). Today as I consoled my friend as she struggled with similar issues the Lord so clearly impressed on my heart how often I don't do what I need to do, what I know I should do, or what the Lord has called me to do. And I could hear Him asking me, "When you don't move when I ask you, does that mean you don't love Me?" Oh how I broke at the thought.

My children are a work in progress just as I am! As the Lord calls me to wake up and get moving in whatever situation He leads me into, I'm so thankful He doesn't give up on me, realizing I still love Him.

I love you Lord! Help me look at the children with the same eyes You look at me with. Help me to let you work in their hearts...as I let you work in mine!