She stood on that stage almost a week ago in her red speaking boots. And with her soft soothing voice she told it to us brave:
Do not disdain the secret living…
The moments in life no one sees.
The way you sacrifice and serve and die to your self in the mundane moments.
Crucified and Cruciform. Every. Single. Day.
Giving up your own desires to meet the needs of others–the ones God has given to you.
And even now, almost a week later, I hang on her words and the words in Matthew 6, as I continue to meditate and memorize this way of living.
Because there really are secret places where we live–places in our hearts and in our minds. Places no one knows and sometimes we don’t want seen.
But it is in those dark secret places we declare who we are. It’s in the everyday decisions of those fertile dark places, where we dive down further, and deeper–plunging our roots down, down, down.
Down in humility to find the living water.
Down in self-sacrifice to drink until it satisfies.
It’s in the dark secret places our roots are established … where they live and where they thrive. It’s in the deep where no one sees, and no one knows, but Him.
What we are in the light is determined by who we are in the dark. Our fruit is merely the product of our roots. ~Shannon Ethridge, The Fantasy Fallacy
And it’s a truth that is sinking into the deepest parts of me…
The parts of us that are seen in the light are always a reflection of how we live in the dark–our roots always declaring who we really, truly are.
May our roots grow deep and strong in the dark secret places, is my prayer.
Jacque
Aaaaand…the kids joined me today!
We wrote for ten minutes instead of five.
And they, too, LOVE Five Minute Friday!! Here’s a highlight of their masterpieces…
What is your biggest struggle in living a good life in secret?
What helps you keep your roots growing down?
I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to take five minutes and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing, with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:
Roots…
oh my heart – your kids joined!! How much do I love that. What a mom you are Jacque.
I am visiting from FMF. My struggle in living a good life in secret is only a struggle when I am not resting in who I am in Christ and in the life He wants me to lead. I can do the seemingly mundane (and unpleasant) behind closed doors if I am at rest within. When I think of opportunities I cannot take or see others achieve in ways I am not made to achieve, the struggle begins. I look at the glory of what is before me and see them as obstacles instead of the gifts they are.
I love that your children joined. This really touched my hearts today.
What a great idea – to have your children join in. I may just have to do that next week. Love it!
wow that is so very cool your kids wrote too!!!! http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com
“It’s in the dark secret places our roots are established … where they live and where they thrive. It’s in the deep where no one sees, and no one knows, but Him.” Love these words. And imagining my roots being established.
Also absolutely love that your kids joined in!
Visiting from five minute friday (and we met briefly at Allume while standing in line to speak with Ann)
I love your kiddos writing! How totally precious. I am still smiling from meeting you in real life and wishing it were longer. You are every bit as gorgeous as I’d imagined inside and out. You inspire me, friend. Love you.
Jacque, my friend! So beautifully written and it speaks to my heart. I wrote that roots can be knit together in hotel rooms, during late night talks. 🙂
I love you and your heart! Your kids joined in?!? How cool is that?
Beautifully written and challenging too. May our roots grow deep in the Lord, well watered by His abundant mercy and grace.
Jacque, you always share lovely words!
Fantastic post.
Oh those children’s journals made me yearn to be back in the classroom. Just loved that part of teaching – reading what my kids wrote, seeing their pictures, going deep into their little hearts.
Your writing is beautiful. Each word makes a picture.
Thank you for sharing.
Blessings
Jan