A couple of weeks ago my husband hung a hammock from our covered back deck. To be honest, at first I was slightly annoyed. I had been eyeing that same location as the perfect place for a patio set I had yet to find on Craigslist. My thoughts quickly changed after taking my turn laying on that braided cloud of glory. My internalized arguments faded away as the comfort of being cradled two feet off the ground in a gentle sway took hold. Ahh, the relaxation! It wasn't very long until that hammock became my sanctuary. In the afternoon, as soon as I was sure my daughter was napping soundly, I would slip outside to lie there in. For a few moments the demands of being a stay- home- mom with a toddler could be put on hold. ( Mommies need time outs too.)
We live in the middle of a dense evergreen forest. The view from my hammock is one of tall, reddish brown tree trunks, and low swooping boughs of greenery, with random patches of blue sky peeking throughout the gaps between the branches. The air is continually filled with singing birds and a chattering community of squirrels and chipmunks. Being surrounded by such beauty it is easy for my attention to be turned to the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Recently as I was talking to my Poppa in Heaven, I noticed the sway of the hammock had settled into stillness. I wanted to swing again but being only 5'-1" my tip toes would not reach the deck unless I crawled almost completely out. I was far too comfortable to do that! I quietly heard Holy Spirit say, "Hang your leg over and kick." So I did. First kick, nothing. Second kick, still nothing. As I started the third kick I thought, "This seems useless. I'm giving out way more than I'm receiving." Then, when I was just ready to quit; suddenly there was a noticeable, although small, MOVEMENT! Every kick there after doubled the amount of sway produced by the previous kick. In no time I was swinging so high I started to feel seasick!
Holy Spirit then said, "Just as the hammock responded to the constant, steady kick of your leg, so also does Heaven respond to your faithful obedience even in small things, causing there to be an exponential increase in the Kingdom and exceeding fruitfulness for your labor if you do not grow weary in well doing."
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9 NIV
Blessings!
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