New Year— Be The Gardner of my Soul
We are on the home stretch through the great state of flat Kansas, after a 14 day journey celebrating Christmas with some of our favorite people.
14 days. 2 Christmases. 2300 miles. 2 busy kiddos. 6 1/2 months pregnant. 40+hours in the car. One ear infection. 4 cases of the stomach bug. 2 colds. 1 giant road trip loop through the middle of the United States of America, all while soaking up family goodness. Though our eyes have bigger bags under them and we may have sprouted a few grey hairs along this jaunt, our hearts are full.
Here is a little reflection for the new year…
I’ve never been one for New Year’s Resolutions. As a kid/teen, I was always sad that the magic of Christmas was over, and it was time to settle back into the ole routine. As a new teacher, I would some what grit my teeth as I, head-down and full-throttle, plunged into the January/February marathon. But in recent years, I have enjoyed the putting away of Christmas, setting foot back into new/refined routines, and acknowledging the fresh start and gift of a new year. This year, I’ve actually set goals (tangible ones) for several different areas of my life and I’m excited and hopeful. Excited to see what happens. Hopeful to see the little whispers in my heart come to fruition. Thrilled to welcome a 3rd babe into our world. Honored to be raising strong and brave and gentle and true little men. All while standing next to the man who holds my heart.
I’ve been reflecting on this prayer, preparing my heart for the newness of the year. I normally save it for the spring, but I couldn’t wait and felt my heart and spirit needed the words a little earlier this year. It’s a good one ?.
“Spirit of the Living God, be the gardener of my soul. For so long I have been waiting, silent and still —experiencing a winter of the soul. But now, in the strong name of Jesus Christ, I dare to ask:
Clear away the dead growth of the past,
Break up the hard clods of custom and routine,
Stir in the rich compost of vision and challenge,
Bury deep in my soul the implanted word,
Cultivate and water and tend my heart,
Until new life buds and opens and flowers.
Amen.”— Carol Mullikin
Clear away the dead growth of the past, (Ask the Lord to take specific things away from your heart, things that have hindered you or dampered your journey with him, ask him to heal doubt and pain)
Break up the hard clods of custom and routine, (Ask him to take away and help you overcome habits that do not honor him. What habits do you need to surrender to him?)
Stir in the rich compost of vision and challenge, (Ask him for a vision and challenge for your new season. What scripture can be your new anthem? A phrase from a song? In a sentence, what are you going to declare over this season?)
Bury deep in my soul the implanted word, (How are you hiding the Lord’s word in your heart? How can you do this? Why do you do this?)
Cultivate and water and tend my heart, (Surrender your heart to the Lord. What is the goodness of the Lord. Begin to list those things. Ex. The Lord is good, my protector, provider. )
Until new life buds and opens and flowers. (What change do you want to see? How will you look for it?)
Blessings as you start a new year. May it be rich in love and, one that honors the goodness of the Lord!
