Precious Fruit

I recently wrote a review for The Jesus Life by author (and friend) Stephen Smith. I had enjoyed every page. This passage about “the way of hiddenness,” in particular, spoke to me:

Jesus lived an obscure and anonymous life, and there’s something in that for us to learn…Such a hidden life seems like a waste in this day and age.  But learning to embrace obscure seasons and hidden years yields a richness in our lives that frees us from the demands to be applauded and to be elevated to a status we may not even want because it would disrupt the quality of an anonymous life. 

A hidden life, an obscure season, a yielded richness—this is where I am.  And it has been a lesson in patience: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains” (James 5:7).

Lately, I have seen some signs of life—some precious fruit.  You see, I pray that God would bless my writing, my serving, and my speaking.  He has been doing so.  And I don’t want this to be about self-promotion, but about joint celebration.  I am excited to share with you some things He’s been up to in my life… (Click green links.)

I was asked to guest post for a great website geared toward single Christians.  I chose to write about a topic that’s dear to me—the difference between being alone and being lonely.  You can check out my post today at SingleRoots.

Last month, my friend Lore asked me to guest post on the topic of rest while she was away on sabbatical.  It was a joy to do so.  The post can still be viewed at Sayable.

This month, the Waco Regional Baptist Association interviewed me about my church, Hilltop Christian Fellowship.  The article can be read on the home page of the WRBA website, on the right side, entitled “The Body of Believers.”

A friend of mine took one of my tweets and crafted this picture, along with the quote.  I was so honored that he shared this online.  You can share it on Facebook as well.

  

Finally, on a funny note, I got to cross an item off the bucket list—winning a caption contest!  I entered the contest for Athlon Sports (a popular Sports publication) via Twitter.  The picture is here...

 

My caption was: “Say it ain’t so, Shirtless Joe!”  It’s a play on Shoeless Joe Jackson.  You can read more about the history of the original quote (“Say it ain’t so, Joe!”) on Wikipedia.  Eventually, my name and caption will be featured on the Tweet This Caption contest site, updated around June 15. 

All of this, and more, has been like seeing sprouts come from the ground, after a season of preparing the soil and planting the seed.  Perhaps it’s still the early rains.  Regardless, it’s precious fruit to me.  Thanks for sharing in it!