I’ve always had good intentions of starting my own vegetable garden. The past three summers have been full of half-hearted attempts and some successes but this is the year for my vegetable garden dreams to come true, I can feel it.

Yesterday afternoon, I headed out the door and to the local hardware store to pick up the tiller that would start it all. I get home and my husband Austin is ready to head out the door to do the tilling for me. Oh no, no, no. This is my baby. So I get on some tennis shoes and haul that tiller around the back of the house towards my garden plot. Big surprise…this tilling thing is a lot harder than it looks. After wrestling it for over an hour with little results, my dear neighbor comes over and tells me I’m going to kill myself digging at the dry ground during the hottest time of the day without putting any water on the soil. No kidding…I’m already half way there. He lends me his sprinkler and I go inside for a break. After 20 minutes or so, Austin shows some mercy and offers to head back out and work on it for awhile. (Although I think he was more than slightly amused watching the epic battle of Andrea vs. The Tiller out the back window, especially after my macho attitude.) Tilling proves to be much easier when the soil is soft…who knew?

There are many Biblical parallels with my tilling experience, but the whole time I was out there yesterday and even through today, the Proverbs 31 woman has been on my mind. I like to call her “Grace” because that is how she lived her life…with grace.

Proverbs 31: 10-17 says “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”

I can imagine her getting up before dawn to start a fire to cook breakfast. I can picture her placing a jar on her head and starting the journey to the well to bring back the water to prepare a meal for her husband before he heads off to tend to the animals and fields before meeting with the elders of the land. I can see her walking the worn path from the well to the garden again and again as the sun begins to rise to deliver the life-giving water for the plants that are so essential to the life of her family. I see her gently picking out weeds and staking her tomato plants…all before her family has risen from bed. Perhaps she is carrying her young baby in a sling, nursing him along the way. Then she returns to the tents, checks on the fire and pops inside to wake her children, tenderly kissing them with her sweat stained lips. And this is only the beginning of her day. There are still meals to prepare from scratch, clothes to make and wash by hand, children to teach, younger women and mothers to counsel, business trading to conduct, and at the end of the day, she pauses and finds the time and energy to pray with her husband and spend some intimate time with him.

She truly amazes me. I wish I could spend one day alongside her asking how she does it all with a smile on her face and peace in her heart. But in reality, I know how she does it. It is not out of her own strength, it was only through the strength of God. I bet she was a woman who knew her weaknesses and daily placed them in the Father’s hands. She feared the Lord and depended on Him every moment of every day. So much that in verses 28-31 we learn that “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘ Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Young children think they are beautiful–their little faces light up as they bend over, pick it, hand it to us as they say, “Look Mommy a beautiful flower. I picked it just for you!” All the while your neighbor, armed with a two-pronged tool, hunkers down over the sturdy, yellow plant to dig it out by the root. Vowing as she digs, you will never grow again.

Weed or flower? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! When God sees dandelions he sees beauty for he created lots of them. Genesis 1: 11-13
God spoke “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants. Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, (dandelions included, emphasis mine.) God saw that it was good. The Message/Remix Bible.

The word also tells us that God fashioned the dandelion (called a bitter herb in Numbers 9:11 and Exodus 12.8) as valuable root for making medicine; while its leaves were used as a vegetable. God always has a plan! (And he has a story and I will get to it!)

Now here’s the nugget! The root of the dandelion is long, strong and rooted firmly in the ground. And in order to insure it does not spring forth with new life next year you have to dig down and remove the long root.

Think about this! How effective we would be if we were firmly rooted? Firmly rooted in the word of God! Just like the dandelion- its root long and slightly narrow at the end to ensure it drinks from the living water of the earth; we too should be so firm and entrenched~ drinking from the living water of God’s word!

Imagine all of God’s children with roots firmly immersed in the word! Each and every year, the seeds blown by God’s children would nestle down in between the non- believers and touch them with His transformational, life changing word!

When you feel like you are hitting your head against a brick wall, it’s because an enemy is against you that you cannot fight in your own strength. Put your armor on – this is no time to show up for the battle naked. Don’t become a casualty because of your pride. Pride only makes you weaker and your enemy gains an advantage over you. When you are frustrated, come to me for the battle plan. When you want to scream, cry to me instead. When you are drowning, stop fighting and reach for my hand.

My Armor

The Helmet of Salvation

You can be confident of your salvation. Your helmet will not come off unless you take it off. Continue to walk in my ways and my grace will cover you.

Breastplate of Righteousness

Remember you can not be righteous apart from me so stay connected to me. My blood makes you righteous – your job is to believe that, stay close to me and put away those things that I hate.

Shield of Faith

This is a piece of protection that you must build up with the tools that I have given you. Every Christian has a shield of faith but it will only work if you believe my words are true. You must do two things – read my word and let it penetrate your heart (not once but over and over). Second, you must turn away from things that disagree with my word. This shield becomes stronger as it is used. Compare it to your feet becoming hardened by walking on a rough surface. When you lay this weapon down and pick up your own weapons, it starts to become soft. This will leave you vulnerable to attack and exhausted from labor. Sometimes you must be a shield to someone who is weaker or stand behind someone who is stronger. This is not a permanent solution – every Christian must built up his own shield.

Belt of Truth

Your belt works with your shield of faith – it encircles you so that you cannot be moved in any direction. It protects you from loosing hope and becoming discouraged.

Sword of the Spirit

With my word you will be able to cut any lie into tiny pieces. Take my word with you everywhere you go. Use it to defeat any foe – no lie can stand up against it. Use it to comfort, to encourage, to strengthen, to heal, to bring clarity, to bring reconciliation and to draw every nation to me.

Your Feet

You must be ready to bring my peace wherever you go. Your feet must be ready to walk, ready to leap, ready to stomp, ready to run, ready to dance and ready to kneel.

You are connected to me through your prayers. Remember the position I am in and where I am seated when you pray. Imagine yourself there with me when you pray because you are that close.

When I say, “Get up and walk,” it is because my voice is pure. Everything on the earth recognizes my voice because I have called all things together when I created them. My voice is on a different frequency than yours is. Every fiber of my being believes my Father. There is no doubt, no hesitation. It’s not the size of your faith; it’s the purity of your faith. Who are you giving your heart to – the created or the creator? If you choose man, there will be some wisdom you will receive – I have given man wisdom. I have revealed my creation to him, although some have chosen to stick their heads in the sand for whole generations. If you choose me, you will stumble at first because your faith legs are not fully developed.

There will be a time when you will rely on the wisdom I have given you to survive while your spirit is being strengthened step by step through your God faith. Then one day you will look around and no man will have answers but you will know the truth because of your relationship with me.

I was not quite sure of the process but I knew that I had some very special oil in my cupboard and that I would just follow the spirits leading. After all, if God placed it in my spirit to do then he would tell me exactly how to do it. I listened quietly as I moved about the room. Listening for the still small voice, I did exactly what He told me and I ended with the prayer on healing from the book PRAYERS THAT AVAIL MUCH FOR WOMEN.

As I blew out the candle that had served as a part of my sanctuary I was touched by the deep sense of peace I felt! My soul recited familiar portions of scripture; “I will never leave you or forsake you. I am the Lord God almighty, Savior and King, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, those who believe in me shall have life everlasting.”

I showered, dressed and then began the drive to the imaging center. My Sweetie called as I was driving to say that he was thinking and praying for me. I told him what the Spirit had led me to do. He listened quietly and said “Um hm.“

Traffic was heavy but I arrived on time with a minute to spare. After completing the questionnaire, I was ushered back to the dressing room to put on a “not so bad” soft blue cotton gown that did a better job than most to cover up the hind parts!

My technician said her name was Aimee pronounced A’me. I was impressed by her kindness and willingness to make sure I understood what she was going to do. She started my IV. Then we walked down the hall into a room that resembled a chamber.

In the center of the room was the MRI. It was cylinder in shape and looked oddly comforting to me. The room was warm and comfy. I climbed onto the table and made myself comfortable. Instantly, the Holy Spirit began popping names of people I knew who needed prayer. I was aware that the tech was announcing each series of images. But I just kept on praying…and before I knew it Aimee said that the contrast dye would be entering my body. I felt a cool sensation initially followed by a warm flush in the center of my body. Another loud burst of sonar like noises followed by clicks and knocks. Then, shortly thereafter she said “We’re all done, you did great!”

The following week I met with Dr. Ahmed for the results of the MRI. “Everything is clear in the right breast and under your arm of the left breast he said smiling. The only issue is the very small cyst in the duct of the left breast. ““PRAISE GOD”, I exclaimed!

We laughed and talked about the advancements in medicine and how technology has changed the way we perform our jobs. He explained my surgery and what he expected, looked at his watch and said, “I will be in trouble with my staff for talking so long” and with that he was gone. I looked skyward and uttered a prayer “Lord, thank you for a wonderful surgeon!”

I spent the next few weeks preparing for the surgery. I felt in my heart of hearts that I had nothing to worry about. In fact I refused to be concerned in the least. God had sent his word to heal me and that was what I was holding on to!

The evening before the surgery family and friends called to pray. My Sweetie and I had a nice quiet supper and he prayed a prayer that deeply touched me. The morning of surgery family gathered with us along with my Pastor and close girl friends in the ministry; we all held hands and prayed for God’s guidance protection and peace.

Needless to say the surgery went well. Dr. Ahmed said the cyst was easy to extract and that he was pleased with the procedure.

I can honestly say that I do not feel I have been given a diagnosis of cancer. Just as the water swirls in the porcelain bowl and is out of sight with the flush of a handle; the thought of cancer was dispelled when I recited this reading from Prayers that Avail Much for Women: My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and I desire to be in good health. I seek truth that will make me free-both spiritual and natural (good eating habits, medication if necessary and appropriate rest and exercise.) You bought me at a price and I desire to glorify you in my spirit and my body – they both belong to you.

Thank you, Father for sending Your word to heal me and deliver me from my destructions. Jesus, You are the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.
You bore my grief (pain) and carried my sorrows (sickness.) You were pierced through for my transgressions, crushed for my iniquities, the chastening for my wellbeing fell upon You and by Your scouring I am healed!

When asked what we do we might even say, “I’m just a housewife,” or “I don’t work.” What?! We know that’s not true, but it is indicative of how diminished our rank in society has become.

The authors begin with the charge given to the first man and woman to together take dominion of God’s creation. The woman was the “perfect completer” of man and performs many valuable roles in the God-ordained family. Yes, these roles can be hired out to professionals who will cook, clean, and otherwise care for our families needs, but isn’t the very example of Christ to serve? And who better for us to serve than our own families? As Stacy McDonald says on page 36, “We wrongly believe that the more mundane the task, the less significant it is to God. As difficult as it may be to believe, the hands that tenderly bathe your baby at night are no less holy than the hands that serve you communion on Sunday…each one is a holy act when it’s done as unto the Lord.” The author compares our ministry to our families to the ministry of Jesus. Jesus ministered to a small group of people whom the world viewed as insignificant. Jesus did not seek His own glory or pursuits, but poured Himself out that those around Him might see and glorify God. That is the high calling of the homemaker! We embrace this calling so that no one will malign the word of God (Titus 2:5). And this is why Jennie Chancey states on page 98 that, “At its heart, homemaking is about accepting God’s Word and laying down our lives.” Homemaking can be a wearying task, but we can be assured that as we answer the call God has placed on us He will strengthen us to complete it. In our weakness His strength will be displayed for anyone watching because homemaking is not the end goal. The end goal of homemaking and anything we encounter in life is to glorify God. And as we lay down our lives and humbly serve our families, God’s love and sacrifice will be on display for those we encounter everyday.

If I had to name one thing I have struggled with throughout my life it would be fear.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

Wait a minute. Fear is never of God! We are not made for fear. Fear is not made for us. It is never the right thing to do.

This was a breakthrough for me. It seems so simple. I have heard this verse 10,000 times. But for some reason I can’t explain, a few days ago it suddenly occurred to me. It was an “A-ha moment,” as Oprah says.

But what if I’m about to step on a poisonous snake? Fear paralyzes us. It makes us act stupid. It’s also the worst thing to do if you are about to step on a snake. Just get out of the way. Don’t stand there and panic!

Fear clouds our minds. But our Creator has given us a sound mind.

Fear makes us weak. But God has given us power.

2 Corinthians 5:17
If anyone is in Christ he is a new creature. The old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Lamentations 3:22-24
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in Him.

Hallelujah! As the scriptures poured into my spirit I was still having trouble sleeping, but no longer from guilt or anxiety. It was all I could do not to jump out of bed and hop up and down.

Amnesia! God not only doesn’t hold our sins against us, when we repent, he no longer even remembers them.

They are forgotten as if they had never happened and each day is a fresh start. Our hope for change is in Him. He promises that we are becoming new even when we still feel gently used.

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