Plant Wisely

Live life with the end in mind; we reap what we sow, plant wisely.

“With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience. Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace, being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny.” Ephesians 4:2-3

As an infant, Emily was not a good sleeper. She would wake two, sometimes three, times a night wanting to be fed, cuddled, and loved. At fourteen months she finally, FINALLY slept through the night. Then I woke up, wondering what was wrong and I couldn’t sleep! Silly mommy. That ended quickly.

As you can imagine, the sleep deprivation was intense. I had NEVER experienced anything close to it - even in Physical Therapy school when studying for final exams. My brain was in survival mode, and, for the first time in my life, I discovered the benefit of strong coffee.

Pondering this, while watching a mommy friend of mine tenderly chat, caringly instruct and gently guide her four children - knowing she has not consistently slept more than 6 hours a night for close to a decade, I was struck with the concept of sowing and reaping.

We sow seed, knowingly or unknowingly, day after day, month after month, year after year. Harvesting what we plant in due season. What we utter, what we do, how we act, has consequences. If I let my fleshly, tired, sleep deprived self fully fly and am cranky, sharp, snippy and mean - I will reap the same from those around me. If I choose to take a deep breath (or two or three) and let Holy Spirit guide my reaction - I reap something completely different.

I see the former on Social Media. Snippy here. Derogatory there. Accusation. Anger. Flippancy. Not. So. Niceness. It makes my tummy hurt. The internet provides a buffer; a camouflaging anonymity. But, comments voiced in type, or made in person, still have impact. Thoughts, ideas and opinions can be expressed in a loving, honest way where others are caused to think, ponder, and contemplate without feeling belittled, shamed or inadequate. Your circle of influence should grow, not shrink. Your words, actions, responses are ones that either kindle or repel. If you want to win others over, have a BIG pot of honey and a very small stick.

One day, some day, this will all be over and done with. Whatever issue people are currently “discussing” will eventually fade and dissipate, and a new one will take its place. With that in mind, frame your replies and responses.

My sleep deprivation season was just that, a season. Emily, now, is a rock hard, log-like sleeper who wakes cheery, happy and wanting to be read to. If I had known then what I was investing into by getting out of my warm, comfy bed one, two, sometimes three, times a night I would, most likely, have had a better attitude and perspective about it.

Live life with the end in mind; we reap what we sow, plant wisely.