planting » PWOC International Blog

Being a Verb

Aug 052010

Submitted by: Alicia Meyer, regional president – Alaska

At many stepping stones in my life I have been asked some form of the question “What prompted me to respond to a call to service?” and just as many times my answer starts with a PWOC sister’s name. For example “Well, Dawn suggested…” or “Karen came to me and said…” and I got to thinking about what they have taught me either by lesson or example and I had this thought “She was a verb in my life!” We know something has arrived in the worldly sense when a proper noun becomes a verb. In this age, we ‘Google’ things on the web instead of looking them up or we ‘Martha Stewart’ something when we make some not so cute item into a “good thing”. These women saw something that God planted inside me and didn’t say …”one day you will…” they reached inside and helped it grow, they took an active role in my life, and they became verbs in my life.

In the Great Commission Jesus said:

“Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt28:19-20a)

These are very active words, they are verbs. They require action; they require me to take an active role in someone’s life.

I am thankful for these Titus II women in my life and the verbs they became and find myself asking; “Am I a verb in someone’s life?” This term the Alaska Region has been called to “unite and empower”, this too requires action, so I challenge everyone to consider how it is that you are accomplishing this in your life and the lives of others. Are you acting on the call God has placed on our lives to invest in others?

Gardening

Real life stories, Testimonies

Mar 102010

Submitted by Karen Jaedicke of Fort Bragg, NC

My first attempt at a vegetable garden was a disaster! I was born and raised a city girl and had moved to the country, in the heart of a farming community. Several ladies were excited to introduce me to so many new things: gardening, canning, quilting and even driving a tractor. We started with gardening.

I quickly learned the amount of effort (make that hard work) that went into growing one’s own food. With the help of a few friends and a tiller, we eventually had a patch ready. With great excitement, I made rows and began planting various seeds; zucchini, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, corn, potatoes and more. Then I waited to enjoy the fruits of my labor. The next time I went out to check (several weeks later) the entire garden was overrun with WEEDS.

Now I know at this point some of you are laughing. But remember, I am a city girl, and no one had mentioned that after you have planted you have to care for, weed and maintain the garden. I only expected to find fully developed, healthy fruits and vegetables more succulent than any commissary or grocery store. What a surprise for this girl!

Our spiritual lives are much like a garden. The seeds that are planted there on a Sunday morning, at PWOC, or by a conversation with a friend, must be watered, nourished and cared for. And the weeds! They are constantly working to wrap themselves around our beautiful plantings. Only consistent, purposeful care can keep out the things that try to change our focus, steal our joy, and defeat our spirit. I’m sure glad God takes on the job of Master Gardener, aren’t you? I hope you’re asking Him daily to walk with you through the garden and see what needs His attention. I know I am.

……my Father is the gardener. John 15:1