Seeking treasures, seeking Him

The other night, Jayden and Brooklyn were hanging out with us. I had just fed them dinner and gave them a bath.   Brooklyn was getting sleepy, so I grabbed her soft pink blanket to cuddle with.  Jayden was watching us getting comfortable on the couch.  He decided to join us,so he crawled up and sat by us on the couch. (that just never happens)  He pulled some of the pink blanket on him so that he was covered up too.  Before I knew it,  Jayden had curled up and fallen asleep on my shoulder and Brooklyn had fallen asleep in my arms.  What a special moment for me.....a moment I won't soon forget.  They looked so beautiful, sound asleep.  It was a moment of sheer delight to see them so quiet and still.  I know those moments don't happen often, but I'm glad that I was able to enjoy those few moments of sweetness.  I believe God desires sweet moments with us.  Those moments are gifts to us.  I believe He longs for those moments with His children.  I so often miss the moment of His sweet presence in my busyness.  But as I seek Him I find He waits and offers generous amounts of His perfect presence, another treasure I have found in the darkness.  As I've been seeking the treasure of His presence He graciously gives me what I need.   Continue to seek treasures! 


Romans 11:33  Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Gentleness ~ a treasure that's rich in humility!

I've been amazed at what God has been showing me lately.  I've discovered a new treasure called Gentleness....As I've been studying this past year the fruits of the spirit, I'm learning what it looks like to live beyond myself.  It's been very challenging, encouraging, crazy, exciting, stressful, meaningful, inspiring, all of these and more.  I realize more and more that God doesn't expect us to get it right, to be right, but to be faithful, to have an open heart.  He does the work. The 7th fruit of the spirit is gentleness, I thought I knew what gentleness meant, a gentle touch, a softness.  Gentleness in the greek is praotes.  It means humility, submission, teachability.  I learned that gentleness bows in submission.  It's the humble part of gentleness that bows to someone.  That's where it gets challenging.  Somehow, I don't really want to bow to anyone but Jesus.  But God has a plan for us and it's often with humility we accept His work in us.  Beth Moore says "gentleness  is an outward expression of feeling, but an inward grace of the soul, calmness toward God in particular.  It is the acceptance of God's dealing with us, considering them as good."

I love words like grace, gentleness and calmness.  Who doesn't want an inward grace of the soul?  When our hearts are open and ready, He comes and fills us with His gentleness that we can be prepared to live beyond ourselves.

Psalm 18:35
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.