IN BETWEEN

PRACTICE: Think of a personal improvement that you started earlier this year. What is the outcome?

Because we wanted to create a summer environment that increased the probability of seeing birds, butterflies and bees (3Bs), we intentional purchased and sowed seeds in the spring that promised to draw one or all the 3Bs to our space. We were successful. We had unexpected sightings of different species of birds and butterflies and the bees were buzzing and busy. It was awesome. What we had not adequately account for was the time and effort that it would take to keep our desired ecosystem operating and looking beautiful. Watering and Weeding became a daily chore. We planted sun-loving plants, but it was still too hot for some of them and they suffered. It rained frequently but the heat would quickly zap the water up. The flowers and plants would wither. The weeds on the other hand flourished regardless of water or heat. When we were not watering, we were weeding. The rain was often accompanied by strong winds and the pots and plants went toppling necessitating rehabilitation.

By mid-summer, our beautiful oasis had become a bit of an albatross around our necks, but we continued with the watering and weeding because we loved seeing the 3Bs. Then came vacation which meant that someone had to attend to the nurture of the plants. Our first call home was met with the statement, “this is too much and next year you can’t plant all of this stuff.”

How are the seeds sown this spring applicable to living a healthier, holier and wholesome life?

Motivation will get you started on creating what you want for your life. One will do the research, talk to others who have created or experienced a similar situation and begin the process (plant the seeds). For a period, there will be the instant and enormous gratification of cultivating what is desired. Eventually the enthusiasm fades and sheer discipline must take over. Why? Because sustaining and growing anything becomes tedious after the newness wears off. Life gets in the way (weeds). Unforeseen situations develop (winds) and knock us off our feed and impedes the progress. Friends and family may be there to help. They may have enjoyed the fruits of your labor until they must do your labor. Sometimes their response after a period of time is “it’s too much.”

Bottom line for us - we sowed, we reaped but there was a lot that occurred between the two. Neither the sowing nor the reaping truly produced what we wanted – that came from how we responded to the circumstances between the two – the “in between.”

1Cor. 15:58

PONDER THIS THOUGHT – The “in between” builds discipline/stick to it muscles.