THE SHELVES=OF OUR HEART

 

THE SHELVES=OF OUR HEART

 

Many companies=of all

SHAPES and sizes=perform

A physical inventory EVERY YEAR

 

ONE YEAR=my dad showed up

With two shoes on=by accident

You just HAD TO KNOW=my dad

 

His boss=the very next day

HAD all the guys and gals

Show up=with TWO DIFFERENT SHOES ON

My dad was the ONLY ONE

With matching shoes

 

But seriously MY FRIENDS

We all have to take

INVENTORY=of our very own hearts

Every so often

Are we FILLING THEM UP

With the right things=of

THE SPIRIT OF GOD?

 

“The foolish ones

When taking their lamps-

BROUGHT NO OIL with them

 

But the WISE=brought flasks

Of oil with their lamps”                                                                                                                Matthew 25:3-4

 

I think this PASSAGE

Really challenges us=to take

A LOOK

AT THE SHELVES=OF OUR HEART

 

Are we filling ourselves up

With love?=are we living with

PATINCE-compassion-and wisdom?

Do we restock ourselves

With the SPIRIT OF GOD=

On a daily basis?=Are we bearing fruit?

 

“That person

Is like a tree=planted

By streams of water

 

Which yield ITS FRUIT

In season=and whose leaf

Does not wither-------

Whatever they do prospers”                                                                                                            Psalm 1:3

 

“BY THEIR FRUIT=you will recognize them

Do people pick grapes=from thornbushes=

Or figs from thistles?”                                                                                                                           Matthew 7:16

 

“But the FRUIT=of the Spirit

Is love=joy=peace=forbearance=

Kindness=goodness=faithfulness

Gentleness=and self-control                                                                                                        

Against such things=there is no law”                                                                                    Galatians 5:22

 

I appeal to you

To READ the bible every day

And to read the=WORD OF GOD

Every day

 

If you do=WHEN you take stock

Of your shelves=you will find

You are living

With the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

RESTORE your spirituality=from time to time

And throw in

A little SENSE OF HUMOR

 

When we RELY on ourselves

We sometimes find ourselves

To be SPIRITUALLY DEPLETED

And floundering in the dark

 

“He cuts off every branch

In me=that bears NO FRUIT

 

While every branch-

That DOES BEAR FRUIT=he prunes

So that it will be=EVEN MORE FRUITFUL!”                                                                                       John 15:2

 

Dear Lord=our GOD of wisdom

Help us to take root

In you=and TAKE STOCK

OF THE SHELVES OF OUR HEART!

 

In Jesus’ name=and in the name=of our EVER FRUITFUL=Holy Father God!

 

Robert P. Wallman

8-25-2022

 

 

Ps        INSPIRED=by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE=by Claire McGarry