Lesson's




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" February 10, 2004 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. ------------------------------------------------------------ Sometimes we get involved in our everyday projects and don’t expect God to use it as teaching time. It’s only afterwards that our eyes are opened and we see the truth of what He is teaching us. New member, David Barber, sent in today’s story and a poem for our enjoyment. ------------------------------------------------------------ All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e-cookbook, “Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover.” To subscribe send a blank e-mail to: subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------- Lessons In the Garden By David Barber ------------------------------------------------------------ It was a warm, clear, Albuquerque spring day. I was getting my garden ready for the new growing season excited about the winter being over.I cleared the garden beds of the old dead material, and pruned roses.I didn’t expect God to teach me a life lesson right in the garden.I’d just finished trimming my more tame roses and had turned my attention to an older, neglected magnolia colored one by our mailbox.This poor thing had not been pruned in years and it showed. It had a haggard appearance.Many of its inner canes were dead or diseased and I was ashamed of it.My other roses were beautiful. I was proud of them and often neighbors would ask how I did it.Not this rose, it was terrible. I was ready this time. I was determined to make it beautiful. I’d been reading about severe pruning and was sure I could make this rose attractive also.I readied my tools, gathered plenty of trash bags and tore into my work with all diligence. I don’t do things part way.Before I knew it, I’d filled three large trash bags with canes.I was happily clipping away when I realized I’d pruned what appeared to be a healthy branch. I sat down disgusted with myself. “Great Job!” I said out loud as, Robin, my wife brought a cold soda to me. “What’s up?” she pushed her brown hair aside. “I messed up!” I snorted. “Nah, it looks fine. Besides, it needed a lot of cuttin’.” She turned and went back to the house. I stood up and looked at the rose again and the cane on the ground. Here was a healthy cane that wouldn’t bear roses because of me. Worst than that, I’d brutally cut this poor rose. It would never look like the others now.I’d over did it.I kneeled on the rose cane as I reached to get the shears. “Ow!” I recoiled. Then I noticed the cane’s blacked inner core. This rose appeared perfectly healthy outside but the inside was dead.As I picked up the cane, I felt God speaking to my heart.I was like the rose.There were times when God needed to prune me; evenly, severely to remove dead unproductive branches, when I didn’t think there was anything wrong. I picked up the cane and smiled. God was pruning me too. Spring gave way to summer and fall.The rose greened up a little, but looked weak.I held my breath through another hard and cold winter. It snowed heavily that year. I looked out the window watching the fluffy snow float gently to earth like small cotton balls thinking I’d better be ready to replace that old rose bush.But that next spring, that old rose was beautiful. It was stronger than all the rest. The buds on the branches were larger than any of the others.That summer, it was the largest rose in the yard, more plentiful and more fragrant. I remember that summer as the summer of pruning and the lesson in the garden. John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardner. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that bears fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful!” David Barber daveyb3 @ juno.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Serious in your eyes By David Barber ---------------------------------------------------------------- You come to me With serious eyes It’s not disguised, The pain that you feel Think the world is closing in When freedoms’ calling you out! Freedom is singing in the wind Shouting from the roof tops, The answers are out there, Away from here Away from here You believe. There’s stories in mind That calm you heart Now is the start To find the answers Confusion is pushing you Friends are pulling you. David Barber daveyb3 @ juno.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- I've been writing poetry since 1979 and shared it with friends and family. I've only recently started becoming involved with a number of writing groups. I've had 3 poems published on peopleofthebible.com: "Simple Gifts", "Paid" and "Who Me?" I live in the beautiful city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. -------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Jonathan P. Wells Larry Miele Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner Sunday was an electrifying day. Literally. I got ready for church; dressing in my favorite two-piece silk pant outfit. As I was leaving, I remembered I needed hosiery. I slipped on some nylon knee- highs. Immediately, the static electricity started to build. Thinking this was a minor inconvenience; I sprayed on an anti-static product, almost drenching myself. It worked until I got into my car. By the time I reached church, my hair was standing on end, every bit of metal I came in contact with caused a spark and a pop and every hug I received gave me a jolt. I was begging people not touch me. I finally couldn’t stand it any longer and left early. This proved to be a blessing in disguise. When I arrived home, I heard Selah whining and whimpering in the back yard. I went out to investigate and found him dangling from the hammock. His front paws were tangled in the ropes and he had to stand on his hind legs. Every time he struggled the ropes twisted and pulled tighter, cutting off his circulation. I released him and rubbed his little paws. I shudder to think about what condition he would have been in later that day. God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2004 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.