Saturday Confession: Like Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

There are a few things I do beyond the wife and mom thing. I love to encourage others, especially women. There are times I feel a nudge to invest time in someone by sharing my story and what I learned along the way. Sometimes I do this through Bible studies. Other times, it is custom designed and I communicate as God leads.

That’s where some of my time has been lately, working with a dear friend who is shedding an old mindset and adopting a new one. As I’ve shared with her how deeply God cares for us, how specific and intentional He is, I’ve seen the signs to remember this in my own life.

Like my birds.

For my birthday I bought a new feeder. I had no idea how much peace a simple feeder would bring, but I love when these guys stop by for a visit. At first I had trouble attracting birds, so my mom suggested black oil sunflower seed.

And they came in droves.

Since then my mom added that she mixes the black oil seeds with regular food because the birds love the black oil seeds so much it gets costly.

This is news I could have used awhile back. Now my birds are loving the premium choice food, and I’m just as hooked on having them visit.

And then it hit me.

Even though it might not feel like a premium experience at the time, God uses only the best to get our attention and draw us near. For my friend, those events have been masked in circumstances that seem like moldy food that no bird would want. But on further inspection she’s realizing how far she was from a relationship with Him. She was phoning it in, and He knew it.

And He loved her enough to toss her some black oil sunflower seeds to bring her back.

That’s my issue, too.

I am so passionate about leading others to freedom in Christ that I forget I’m worthy to spend time with Him, too. I forget that black oil sunflower seed is for me, too. 

A couple years ago I attended an interactive Bible study that each week transformed the sanctuary into the life of Esther. One week was the King’s chambers. Each of us were invited, encouraged to go behind the veil and spend some time with the true King. And as soon as I sat and settled my heart, this nugget dropped into my lap.

You would receive so much more if you would come visit me behind the veil, instead of waiting on the outside while you usher everyone else in.

 

I have to be intentional about doing that. There are times I think everyone around me deserves the black oil sunflower treatment while I get some cheap blend. Or, in terms I really understand, I lead everyone to Dove chocolate and give myself the nasty kind at the $1 store.

I’m meant to enjoy the premium stuff. And so are you. It’s more than setting an alarm for devotion time. It’s a mindset. A lifestyle that is open to be with Him, hear from Him, and learn from Him at all times. That even in the craziest times, you’re still tuned in, focused on Him against the chaos.

My husband once said that I had a direct line to heaven. As sweet as that sounds, it’s not true.

We all have that direct line, it’s just so few of us utilize what’s been there all along.

So go behind the veil. Change your mindset. Adopt a new standard of living.

And enjoy that black oil sunflower seed.