Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

Bible Blast: Read Psalm 126

They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. Psalm 126:6

One of the sweetest memories from my childhood is my mother’s garden. Even though I didn’t love every vegetable, I always thought they looked wonderful as they grew.

As much as I loved the garden, I also really hated two things about it: seeding and weeding. Major yuck. I don’t think I know anyone who is crazy about pulling weeds out of a garden.

By “seeding” I mean planting seeds. It was always really boring for me. What’s satisfying about taking a little dried up pea and making it disappear in dirt? Later on as the seed starts to sprout it gets interesting, but until then—yawn.

You may be wondering why the people in Psalm 126 were weeping while they went to plant their seed. Sure, maybe some of them cried because they were bored like I was as a child gardener, but there was another, more meaningful reason.

As you read this psalm, you may have noticed that the people were poor but God “restored their fortunes.” When someone is in need of food, it’s hard to be patient. They cried when they put the seed in the ground because they were so hungry. They could have just eaten the seeds and been satisfied for the moment. But they knew if they hid the seed in the soil, watered it, and waited until the plants grew, the harvest would be great, and many would have nourishment for a much longer time than if they would have just eaten the seed.

It’s the same with God’s Word. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When you read the Bible, you have a choice. You can just read it and say, “Wow. That’s cool,” and go on with life or you can read it and hide it deep in your heart, allowing it to change your life. In this way, you are preparing yourself to “reuse” the truth time and time again.

Girl Gab: Mom, show your daughter one of your favorite Bible verses. Hide that verse in your hearts, and apply it to your lives. Later on in the day, remind each other of the verse and what you learned.