No More Leaf-Dropping!

Wow, these chapters in Jeremiah have been pretty heavy (to borrow a phrase from the '80's). Serious stuff God was talking about doing because the people had turned their backs on Him.

So i'm reading along, a little tiny bit smug, thinking wow, those Hebrews really turned away from God! They must have done something awful to make God respond like He is!

But i realized, i was also reading along with a little bit of trepidation hovering over my shoulder. After all, there might be something in here that would grab a line from my life!

Because i know how i am.

And i know that God knows. Even better than i do.

Then, yep, my eyes landed on THE verse.

Jeremiah 16:12, courtesy of the Message Bible makes it all too clear:
Take a good look in the mirror -- each of you doing whatever you want, whenever you want, refusing to pay attention to Me.

13 goes on to say that's why God was throwing them out into a far and strange country.

Rest assured, I won't bother you anymore, God finishes verse 13.

Yikes, that REALLY hit me. I know those verses also include a line about worshiping other gods, and that's what the Hebrews' sin against God was.

I'm not doing that! But still ...

There are times in my life when i do what i want to do, instead of what God wants, when i'm not paying attention to Him.

For me it's in those early morning hours when it's now dark and cold outside, and i stay snuggled in my warm bed instead of getting up and reading my Bible and praying. Or times in my day where i have some moments here and there when i could give God my attention, but i chose to focus on something else (and for me, it's usually something non-productive).


ONE OTHER QUICK THING .... that God gently showed me today...

Jeremiah 17:7-8:
But blessed is .... the woman who sticks with God ... never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.

The season -- or 2, if it's possible to be in 2 seasons at once -- is that of our house situation and that of raising and training our 2 young children.

I know i've dropped more leaves than i've dropped diapers down that Diaper Genie.

And i know i haven't produced very fresh fruit. Seems like the fruit i'm holding in my hands is nowhere near worth bringing before my Lord. Or even my husband and children.

And i want to work on that.

Looks like these 2 verses go hand-in-hand for me.

Paying attention to God = No more leaf-dropping + Fresh fruit

Sign me up!