Today I went for a walk in the vineyard with my boy. I could tell that he didn't want to go along (what 15 year old boy wants to hang with his mom) but he never complained once. It has been near or over 100 degrees here for weeks and weeks. We have been asked to voluntarily ration watering our yards and they recommend that we don't go out unless we absolutely have to be somewhere. But I couldn't take one more day in the house, so I asked the boy to go with me...and he did. He didn't complain.
Everywhere we looked, there were signs that nature was at war with the heat. Some battles were being won, but mostly...not so much. We could see where the pond had receded. The fields were brown and most of the wildflowers had succumbed. Every once in a while, we came across a pop of color. Morgan sat on the dock over the pond waiting and hoping for a cool breeze that never came. He didn't complain.
As we walked along, there were stiff brown spikes interspersed with live flowers, still clinging to life with everything they had in them. I thought to myself, "Is that how God sees us?" Life can get dry sometimes...can seem dull and barren, yielding no fruit. Do we wither and dry up; become dead and useless? Or do we go to where the water is and get drenched, get filled up? He wants us to come to Him in quiet moments and just be still, or sing to Him, or let Him minister to us. That's how we get watered and have our roots grow deeper in Him. And that's how we keep our color and vibrancy. Even when our circumstances don't seem to be perfect, we can still be fruitful, still be full of color and life.
I watched my boy as we walked today. He was full of life, full of richness and joy. He examined the jewel toned grapes that looked strangely beautiful hanging next to brown lifeless leaves. He walked and posed for my endless picture taking and laughed with me. He didn't complain.
As I walked behind him and watched, I thought "I hope as he grows older and life gets harder and responsibilities take their toll, that he remembers Who he can go to to get water and life. I hope that his color doesn't fade with time and he spends moments with the One who can fill him up again and renew his days. I hope he remembers not to complain." Those were my thoughts for him.
My thoughts turned towards myself. Just because I've lived and had pain and gone through much, doesn't mean I have to be lifeless and dull. I will continue to go to Him and drink Him in and be full of life and color. Life is rich if you allow Him to fill you. So I walked some more, with my boy...and I didn't complain.
From His Lap,
My heart's desire is for you to realize how valuable and precious you are, to know that you are a dream of God come true. While raising six children, I have had to depend on the Lord to give me certain nuggets of truth and insights into being a child of God. I would love to share these nuggets with you, hopefully bringing you closer to Him and a life filled with joy and peace.
What a sweet moment. I adore moments when God reveals Himself to me. Little Bit and I go on almost daily walks. I load him up in the baby back pack and I praise God as we walk. As he gets older I hope he will have the same kind of conversation with our Lord. Thanks for sharing this sweet post!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower from the blog hop. I hope you will have a moment to come and visit Little Bit and I at: http://socialstudiesmomma.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for stopping by, Amy! I'm so glad you have these moments with your little guy. How precious! You will never forget them and he will be so full of your love and the Father's!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
What a beautiful post Erin! I know your son will never forget those moments. He will also know who to turn to, because you taught him that.~Lisa
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Erin, it is so nice to hear someone just be grateful. I try to do that everyday and try not to just "want". I feel we should pray for the things that we need and hope for the things that we want, although God knows the difference. I threatened to stop answering my phone this week..seemed every time I did someone was complaining! Your post came at a timely fashion. Love to your family!
ReplyDeleteAw, Lisa, thanks for stopping by! I love days like this...when everything just seems to fall into place and is perfect!
ReplyDeleteErin
Thanks, Karen! I just am grateful anytime that I get to spend precious moments with my kids!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
Love your outlook on this Heat and very inspirational messages , Thank You
ReplyDeleteHelen
Thanks for stopping by, Helen. I gotta look at the heat like that or I'd melt!
ReplyDelete~Erin
Hi Erin -
ReplyDeleteFirst off, Happy Saturday to you. I've been thinking about much from your wonderful post above; especially where you say "Nature was at war with the heat". Battles aren't being lost although they don't appear to be winning either...nature survives...finds a way. With God's word as our armor and God's Blessing as our shield, we survive too as long as we let God carry our daily burdens. I think you're husband and children are blessed to have you as their mother/wife. I feel I'm pretty lucky to have you as my Twitter buddy as well. Darn woman,,,making me stay here too long listening to the music. I'm a very busy guy here hahaha. :)
Amen and amen, Brian!!! Thanks for the reminder...nature finds a way. I just have to remember not to take my burdens back after I give them to Him.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words! You are a blessing. I'm glad you enjoy the music!
~Erin
Erin,
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. I'm so weepy sometimes. It seems silly. Thank you for sharing this.
XOXO
Samantha
I didn't mean to make you cry, Samantha! It's not silly to be weepy. You are a blessing and I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit!
ReplyDelete~Erin
Erin those are the days that I love the most, you have an amazing son... who is very blessed to have a Mom like you! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Thank you, Lisa. He doesn't always not complain! :0)But he is awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Erin
What a great message~and I loved the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I found your blog.....it's beautiful and so full of life and wisdom........I am your newest follower.....
ReplyDeleteThis post is wonderful and so full of encouragement...Yes sometimes our circumstances do get dry but as you said we know the ONE to go to for filling of living water.........
Nancy, it's so great to have you visit here. I just love your blog! I'm glad you know the ONE who gives us living water!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
Erin, this is beautiful. It reminds me of John 15:5, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches." What a great memory that you and your son will have. A treasure.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Donna Lynn! That Scripture goes perfectly here with this post! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
yes...reminds me of "if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill our of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way..." (John 7:38)
ReplyDeleteoh how i want springs brimming and spilling from the depths of my heart.
Yes, Mary yes!! That is the cry of my heart too!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
I love the "color and vibrancy" part! Wonderful post. Thanks for stopping by the Sit and Relax weekend hop again. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
erin:
ReplyDeletenice post and blog; I will try to stop by on a regular basis-
george
I'm not the only guy to read your blog, am I?-
ReplyDeleteThanks, George! I'm anxious to know your thoughts on the music per our conversation on google+!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Erin
Nope, you're not the only guy, George! See Charlie Nitric above. Also, guys are chicken to leave comments but they tell me they read it!
ReplyDeleteErin
I love how you paint pictures w/ words & the encouragement that God always wants to fill us...if we let him. Your newest follower ~ Jen
ReplyDeleteThenks so much for stopping by, Jen! I pray that I always stay full to overflowing! I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
nice to "meet" you erin!
ReplyDeletelove to you as you create
your life & breathe life
into those alongside! xo
Hi Erin - thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. I'm really glad I bounced back to yours. Lovely post. I love what you say about not fading as one experiences life, but to keep your colour rich and full, in Christ.
ReplyDeleteI'm following your blog back.
God bless
Tracy
Thanks for stopping by, Rachel! That is my passion, breathing that life into those who's paths I cross!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~erin
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteWe do have that tendancy to fade, don't we. We must make the choice everyday, not to!
Thanks for coming by and following.
Blessings,
Erin
This is beautiful, Erin. I hope I always run to the water, not content to go through life dry and lifeless. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Many blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. I felt so peaceful as I read your words.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiitng my blog. so glad we have connected. i will be back to your again.
I hope that it, blessed you, Lisa. I hope I always run to the water too!
ReplyDeleteErin
I'm so glad you felt peaceful here, Jean. That is my prayer for my readers...to have a peaceful place to read and see how much they are loved by their Father!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
This is so beautifully written...and your son sounds like such great guy....
ReplyDeletere music: it's nice, but it's on the edge of being what you hear in a memorial service-
ReplyDeletenow you're playing sarah mccullough? city of angels track? a wonderful song! I like that on here-
so maybe a little bit poppier music-
anyway, it's your deal; looks like you're doing good
g
where we live it gets really really hot as well. the grapes look great... mouth-watering. :)
ReplyDeletethings brings us so many fond memories of me walking with my sons and talking. Thank you!
ReplyDeletejoy & blessings,
Alida
following you too!!
Charis, I hope the grapes make it til harvest!
ReplyDeleteErin
Alida,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and following. Don't you just love those precious moments with our kids?!
Blessings,
Erin
Yes, life can be rich if we allow Him to fill us. When we are dry, it is because we have stepped back somehow. And pain and hardships do not make us dry, they are a part of life.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Shanda! It's all in our reaction to pain and hardships!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
Wonderful message Erin, thank you for sharing. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteHi Erin~Thanks for visiting my blog. I am your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures and I really liked what you said. I try to always remember to go to the One that is the Water of my life before anything or anyone else. I don't always succeed!!
Look forward to reading more form you.
Blessings in Him...Chelle
Just be real, thanks so much for stopping by. I followed your blog!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
Chelle, thanks so much for following. I'm glad my post blessed you! But I'm even more glad that you know the One to go to!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
Erin, thanks for putting this post on my vB Christian Moms Blog Hop! I hadn't read it before.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of my children are thirsty and forgot where to drink. I feel so helpless, but I know that I can love them with all my heart and maybe someday they will remember!
Becky Jane,
ReplyDeleteI feel pretty certain that they will. You are a praying and loving mama. I'm pretty sure they will.
Blessings,
~Erin
...they better..lol
ReplyDeleteHi Erin! I'm joining Becky Jane in saying thank you for joining the voiceBoks blog hop! I'm following you back!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet moment to share. I pray that I am always looking for the beauty in my child and wanting to share with him God's goodness. Thank you sharing!
Jennifer
http://imitationbydesign.blogspot.com
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by and following. I love your blog too! I hope my post blessed you. It was such a great day for me... with my son...watching him. He is God's gift to me!
Blessings,
~Erin
Thank you for linking this up. I saw where I had commented before but it means a different thing to me now! "just because I have experienced pain doesn't mean i have to be lifeless." I have kind of dropped out of life and I know that I need to get back.
ReplyDeleteThis post is a beautiful tribute to your relationship with your son,and with God....truly inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteShanda,
ReplyDeleteYou are such a blessing and a joy to those who get to read your precious words. The Lord uses you mightily in good times and in bad. I know you will get back to life when you feel strong and ready. Until then, rest in Him!!!
Love you!
~Erin
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so honored that you stopped by! My son is such a blessing to all who know him. Thank you for your kind words!
Blessings and Happy New Year!
~Erin