God in my yard

It’s not your typical spiritual discipline. 
But I’m trying it.

L. L. Barkat invites her readers of God in the Yard to spend time daily in outdoor solitude for 12 weeks. The goal? Spiritual growth.

I’m in week 3.
I dig a little in the dirt. I dig a little in my soul.

Here’s what I uncovered this week.
Do any of these lessons bear fruit with you, too?

1. Carry the beauty with youIt starts out there, but you bring it in here. We learn about God from many places and in many ways, but the real beauty grows when we bring Him inside.

Take what you learn outside of you and grow it on the inside. 

2. Slow down to hear moreWhen I first go outside, I notice only car noises and airplanes. But after 10 minutes, I start hearing how loud the birds are and how the wind sings through the trees. Sometimes it takes awhile to hear what God is trying to tell us.

Be willing to sit with Him long enough to tune out the street noise and tune in to His voice.

3. Let the details amaze youI admit I think Muscovy ducks are horribly ugly and I wish we had none on our lake. But when I really stare at their feathers, they are totally amazing. Don’t be afraid to look for God in the details of any situation you’re in.

It may look ugly at first, but God is in deep doing a beautiful thing. Keep looking.

4. Expect obstacles I’m paying a price for being outside all week—sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes. But it’s worth it; it will pass. Anticipate costs on your way to rewards.

Discipline may be painful but if you keep your eye on the goal, the Lord will help you run your race.

5. Let joy find you This may be the hardest lesson for me: remembering I’m not outside just to pull weeds or plant flowers, but to be still and know. I’s too easy to define success by accomplishment, but that’s not how God does it (1 Samuel 16:7).

Don’t use all your time in the doing; let Grace find you in the being.

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Which lesson hits home with you?

Were you able to spend time outside this week where you live?