FMF: Release

Release

When I ponder the word release today my thoughts go right to my parents and their garden.  It’s a fairly small plot of land, but for six years they’ve planted and tended and reaped a great harvest of vegetables.  All of us who live nearby have benefited too from their garden as they have liberally shared all they’ve received in bounty from the Lord of the Harvest!

So, last Fall as I talked with my dad over a coffee, he mentioned to me that there would be no plowing or planting or tending of the garden this year.  This is the 7th year and the land must rest.  “God said so”, was his simple answer.  I listened remembering God’s law regarding the 7th year of Sabbath rest for the land, and I smiled big at my dad’s obedience.

I am so encouraged at this place in my life by my parents’ example of release in obedience to God.  Watching them stand firm even when neighbors pout and wonder out loud, “Where are we going to get our vegetables this summer?”  Even when friends teasingly chide, “That’s Old Testament Law…”  Their steadfastness to release their land in acknowledgment that it really belongs to God helps me today.

The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai:  “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land I am giving you, the land will observe a Sabbath to the Lord.  You may sow your field for six years, and you may prune your vineyard and gather its produce for six years.  But there will be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land in the seventh year, a Sabbath to the Lord: you are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard.  You are not to reap what grows by itself from your crop, or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. It is to be a year of complete rest for the land.  Leviticus 25:1-5 csb

Today is moving day.  No, not us.  We’re not moving.

Rather, we’re receiving someone who is moving into our downstairs efficiency apartment.  She’s a lovely widow, and God made it absolutely clear she is supposed to rent here for a while.  We’ve not once advertised this space.  Yet she is the second person in less than a year to approach us and ask if we would consider renting the space to her while she figures out next steps.

There’s a release taking place here in our home.  We’re not just nice people doing a good deed.  We’re really not.  This release of our home – release of this apartment space – to provide a nest for those in need of a short transitional space doesn’t come naturally to us or easy.  This is simply the latest place of release of control over which our Father has asked us to release our grip.

Over the last ten years, we’ve been in the process of releasing everything we hold dear – children, career, a parent, health, and savings.  It is for us a time of reckoning – a realization that none of these things, though we’ve held tightly as though they do, belong to us.  And just as I am learning from my parents’ example in releasing their land for Sabbath rest, there’s a rest and a peace which comes with simple obedience.

{Side note: obedience is my word for 2018}

Will you pray with me?

Lord Jesus, take our hands in Yours and help us to release to You all that we grip so tightly.  Cup our chins and move our gaze from the things that fall from our hands until our gaze is expectantly fixed upon Your face.  Dry our eyes as we grieve the things let go.  Restore to us peace and JOY in obedience.  Let us walk with You hopeful of all You have in store for us to do and to be and to fulfill in the working of Your will for our lives.  Be glorified in us, Jesus! Amen.

Ponders:

What does release mean to you?

Is there something the Lord is asking you to release to Him?

Do you think it’s possible Father intends for you to release something in exchange for rest and peace and even JOY in obeying His request?

Eyes on Jesus… you’re shining!

~Lisa

 

 

 

 

Congratulations, Kate Motaung, on the release of your new book.  Please click here to purchase A Place to Land by Kate Motaung.  You’re going to be so glad you’ve added this book to your reading collection.

Today I am joining Kate and her wonderful community of faith writers for some Five Minute Friday writing fun.  The word prompt for this week is {release}  If you’re in the least bit intrigued by this concept of writing five minutes on one word, come join us for the Five Minute Friday link up

All you have to do is ponder the word prompt, set your timer for 5:00, and start typing. When time’s up, publish and link up.  Really it’s ok that it’s not even Friday anymore.  Jump in with me.  Oh so simple!