A garden full of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths burst forth in blossoms every spring, at our old house. These flowers didn’t grow by accident. Every fall prior, we’d move the soil, plant bulbs, and add to the assortment, already dormant. There was nothing quite like watching those first sprouts peeking through the ground after a long winter. Hyacinth’s fragranced everything around. Yet, sadly, some bulbs never survived through the winter. Despite my efforts, there was no promise of which flowers would blossom, come spring. Discipleship can be much like planting bulbs in fall. We invest, inspect the soil, work hard, but in the end, only time and God can reveal, any beauty from our efforts. These past six years, my husband and I have been discipling people in our home. Some seasons we have a house full; others time, just a few people. Sometimes, we see visible miracles. Other times, discipling can feel more discouraging. Here are 5 tips we have learned, while disicpling:
About JenThough born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations. Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios. Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s. Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family. You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda . Jen is also on facebook.
4 Comments
3/10/2017 05:12:37 pm
Don't judge...so often I find myself thinking I know who God wants me to minister to or disciple and then He completely surprises me. I love that. But, I also want to learn from it...stop judging and making up my mind ahead of time. Go into the situations He calls me to with an open, soft heart. Thank you for this, Jenger!
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3/18/2017 02:53:38 pm
Such a great reminder of who is ultimately in control of the "garden"! It's up to us to tend to it... and then leave it in the hands of the Father. Thanks for the practical tips! Stopping by from #KellyBalarie&Friends :)
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3/24/2017 05:05:47 am
Great tips. It can be tempting to forget that God is in charge of the growing and the fruit. Our job is to tend to and care for the seeds as they grow. On my screen, I'm seeing the content of the post repeated several times, just to let you know. Blessings today!
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3/24/2017 10:16:15 am
Lisa - Oh how I can relate! It's so easy to want to "figure it all out first", before we step out in faith. So glad His thoughts are highter than our thoughts and His ways are not our ways! ~
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