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Reading The Big Picture

 
My current reading includes “The Nebraska Master Gardener Volunteer Handbook,” “Mother Earth News,” “Leadership Coaching,” “Love and Respect,” and the Bible.  

I’m amazed how my varied reading interest seems to draw together in a singular way …at least in my big picture brain.

My goal for a few years has been to read Proverbs, James, Psalms 119 each month and another book every day for a month using a variety of strategies. This morning I read my chapter out of Proverbs, a passage out of Psalms 119 and James and all of 1st Timothy again.   I note in my journal words and phrases that stand out and find it mind-blowing as they seem to link up.  Reading them in this way seems to draw my attention to similar concepts. 

Proverbs and James are both wisdom chapters.  Solomon written by David is in the Old Testament and James written by Paul in the New Testament.  Psalms written by David.  As I read these books knowing that they are God breathed and inspired; I love sensing the personality, compassion and intent of the individual writer. 

I feel Paul’s heart and passion as he shares wise words with Timothy who he was mentoring and coaching.  David, I can picture on a large rock in a pasture keeping a responsive eye on his flock.  Solomon looking out on his kingdom with an intense hope for his people to choose wise ways.

Leadership Coaching and my Master Gardener material teaches the power of observation, listening and accepting both people and plants unconditionally.  I don’t get frustrated at a certain flower for not thriving in the shade when it’s very being is made for sun!   

So why do I force my expectations and agenda on others.  Why do I want to change people from shade to sun loving? 

Speaking of acceptance… Honor and respect for my husband is based entirely on my respect of him for him…for who he is.  I don’t get to respect him only when he is respectable or want to honor him when he is being the kind of person I want him to be or when he is loving me the way I need loved. 


I don’t believe in my children and my family and my church when I can see it but believe it UNTIL I see it!  I keep believing!  And believing….



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