Becoming less...

I was drawn to a simple verse to memorize this two weeks...simple, yet...not.

"He must become greater;
I must become less."

John 3:30

This declaration by John the Baptist speaks to my ever-present quest for true humility...not self-loathing, but an accurate assessment of self (not thinking "poorly" of self, but just thinking less of "self" altogether!) John the Baptist made the statement in response to some of his indignant followers, who apparently were feeling that the upstart Jesus was edging them out of prominence.

But John knew his role - he knew exactly who he was - a voice crying out; one preparing a way; the best man -- the one who rejoiced at the entrance of the bridegroom and then cheerfully retreated to a place of less prominence.

Yet how can He, Jesus, "become greater?"

He is I AM...
greatness personified...
completeness...
the way...
truth...
life...
love...
He cannot become any greater than He is and always has been. But He can, and must, become greater in my view...fill my vision, my heart, with His greatness so that my only response is overwhelming gratitude and love.

Eyes off self. Filled with Him.

We are all vessels. We can only hold so much. For Him to increase, to become greater within me, I must pour out self and give Him room.

He must become greater; I must become less. How He even continues to have patience with my striving, I'll never know...but I am so thankful!

Counting this and other gifts today:

• Michael, softly singing, strumming,
in the late hours...
• Jess, blossoming in her new life...
• Gorgeous skies, strong breezes...
• The preacher, fist-bumping a 9-year-old
during church...
• Beautiful future bride, opening gifts, blushing,
exclaiming thanks...
• Vintage milk bottles on my window sill...
• Encouraging notes from teenagers...(wow)
• Round steak in the crockpot...
• Eating cheese nips with Jesse in the tractor...
• Ernie (the dog)'s miraculous recovery...
• The...I don't know, relief maybe?,
of each other's presence...ah.
• Early morning walks and conversation...
sharing life with a friend
• A timely rain...
• A day at home...
• A convicting Word...
• Sleeping with windows open...
• Waking to birdsongs...
• Changing out the heavy quilt for the light bedspread...
• My favorite pillow...

I'm so thankful for the gift of counting gifts...thankful for the inspiration for this journey...which can be found here:

Busy...thankful...

It's been a crazy-busy couple of weeks and while I've been frequently overwhelmed with gratitude, I haven't been consistent with recording gifts...

Here's an attempt to reconcile that and get back on track...

I'm thankful for so many things...

...promises, plans
...my family, growing
...my son, grown (!)
...sweet Maranda
...crops, growing, green
...the comfort of Jesse's nearness
...talking with Jessica about everything
...unexpected affirmation, so encouraging
...the challenge of study, questioning
...the unmistakable power of a thunderstorm
...the mystery of the garden


When we planted these sweet, green peas, the seed packet said they needed some type of trellis to climb. Jesse, ever the problem-solver, decided to plant the seeds at the base of the corn stalks left from last year's crop...


...and it's working. They are growing, thriving. The mystery to me is that these plants, knowing they need the support, send delicate tendrils...reaching, curling, holding...



...everything in creation knows we need something to hold on to in this crazy world...what a beautiful thing...

•••••

Memory verse for the first two weeks of April:

"Be on your guard.
Stand firm in the faith.
Be courageous. Be strong.
Do everything in love.
I Cor. 16:13-14