Nature

 

from braingardening.com

Since the season of Christmas is now officially over, and the new year has come to us, I have been thinking a lot about Nature. 

Nature are many aspects, but the what I've been contemplating on is our nature and also living in the natural rhythms of nature. Today I want to talk about our nature.

I am often found saying "it's just my nature", to be silly or trying to be cute for my husband or even just trying to be organized to stay on top of all the moving pieces of our home. 

"It's just my nature" can also be referred to how we interact with others. 

What if. What if in our journey back to Home (heaven), we are seeking Him and find our nature is not what will actually help us to grow closer to Jesus and ultimately, to live in eternity with Him.

Through the past years, my nature has changed. The health condition I am recovering from has taught me a lot about what my nature has been and how I push myself, or how I 'react' to others rather than 'respond'.

The achiever in me comes from a wound in my childhood that my A was not good enough. This has carried over into my adult life and my home management style, as well as day to day activities. 

Such as, carrying groceries in and needing a drink of water because I have been out in the cold dry wind. "No, I need to get these groceries in first". That has been what my nature has been like. Pushing past what I needed, to meet a goal that is not necessary but rather self-created. Ignoring my own needs for a goal of "first get all the trash, dusting, floor dusted, plants watered and declutter some papers...THEN I can take care of myself (water, snack whatever). Now I see what I need, and taking a break after one or 2 of those. My thinking stays clearer and I have more energy to get through my day. At this stage of life, that is a wonderful benefit!

The idea of looking at my nature and what I chalked up to being my 'normal' has been changed. My nature is changing.

As I've allowed God in my heart in a deeper way and His desire to give Him my heart in a deeper way, I've noticed these types of things about my nature. They keep slowly creeping into my awareness. 

He is like that. Slow, quiet. Allows us to make our own choices or to listen to Him and change. If we plow the field, He WILL show up. He always does when He sees our Trust and our willingness.

I love that about Him.

I want to close with this quote, and contemplating on the idea of what is in our life right now that is burning away the things we don't need anymore. Is it greed, is it a critical tongue, is it the need to always be right, or is it the 'nature' to always put yourself last - even in your needs?

"It is like the way we throw dry wood, green wood, brambles and brushwood on the fire, these materials feed the fire and their nature is changed on account of the action of the fiery furnace!  Jesus acts like that in our souls, if we surrender our being entirely to Him.   ~St Madeleine Sophie Barat"

Wishing you His Peace,

Dee