The Overflow of the Heart... and Pruning

Yesterday, in the new Crossroads Sunday school, Rachel Cobb shared with young families what setting boundaries looked like and how the Lord defines what we are to "tend" in our lives. I'm not sure about all of you, but the lesson of what He calls and doesn't call for us to take care of, hit me between the eyes... and I'm not even a parent. I'm literally only responsible for myself.... and my dog\miniature horse. I have no little, needy human lives dependent upon me. So, mad props to you, parents, that all of your children are alive. If I were a parent today, September 16, 2013, I'm not sure I could say the same. I can barely take care of myself. It's a significant accomplishment when I brush my hair some days. Seriously, big pat on the back to me, because I DID do that this morning... AND fed my dog.

It's inevitable, at least for me, when the words prune, evaluate and remove come up... I'm immediately defensive. Why is that? Why is that when God convicts me of removing the clutter, baggage and over-commitments from my life, I try to cling to them?  I like my things, I enjoy being with lots of  people, I like being needed by the Church, by my friends. Why am I not willing to give my "junk" and my over- commitments up in order to reflect more of the beauty and grace of Jesus?

So, as I sprinted and giggled my way downstairs with my ten year old posse, after Sunday school, I was saying these things to God: "God, thanks for teaching and convicting THOSE people in order to be pruned. I'm thankful I'm not a parent yet, and that REMOVING baggage doesn't apply to me."

I didn't know what ELSE God had to say to all of YOU about getting rid of all the "extra things".  I was still thinking, until this morning, that yesterday's lesson and worship service was more for all of "you" than for me. I was thankful that God was speaking and convicting all of "you".

So, in our season of Generosity, that our church is in, Mickey just had to speak about where your treasures are, there your heart is also.

Ok, God. I get it. I was again, knocked blindly between the eyes.

Let me just say, I'm now praying and begging for pruning. I'm begging on my own behalf, but also as your family's biggest advocate. I'm begging for pruning for all of you as well; for the sake for Christ to be made known in your homes. For the sake of your children to have a relationship with Jesus. For the sake of the example you're setting for your children.   I don't want all of the over-commitments, junk, titles, cars, or possessions to define me. I don't want my treasure to be anything but Jesus.

Most days, my life doesn't reflect that at all. Because I get caught up in what I wear, what my home looks like, what kind of newest gadget I have, and I even get caught up with all of you; and I totally neglect spending time in prayer, or in worship, or reading scripture... or resting.

So, whatever it looks like, Jesus, for my treasure to be you, make it happen. Whatever needs to be pruned, do it, despite my defensiveness. We read in scripture that people know who we are from the overflow of the heart. I want my heart to be an overflow of Christ's unconditional, love, joy and grace. My heart has it's milliseconds of Jesus' goodness, but mostly, my heart's overflow is a product of all of my "junk" and the exhaustion of putting up a facade.



Take a few minutes to think about this week, what do you want your treasures to be? What do you want the overflow of your heart to be?



To all of the rest of the insignificant, ask the Lord to prune it back.

Your children model what is valuable and important after what YOU find valuable and important. If you find clothing, labels and new gadgets important, they will build their own scale of value based on your life. Model for your children what your treasures are!