Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … Return.
We have had a house guest for the past week – Talula. She’s the dog of my sister-in-law and ours to keep whenever she vacations. However, today she returns home to claim her beloved pet and both will be overjoyed at the homecoming.
Return —> “to put, bring, take, give, or send back to the original place, position” (from dictionary.com).
The irony of the word prompt is not lost on me. There is a preciousness in the return, in putting something or someone back with their own. In the return, there is restoration of relationship.
The Lord restored His people and on the day of their return, brought revival and celebration.
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” (Psalm 126:5-6, NLT)
The planting of seeds, in the hearts of people who have wandered away, is hard and prolonged work. A daily tending of watering, weeding, and fertilizing takes place and often goes unnoticed. One may even wonder if the hard work will yield a result as the days stretch on.
We plant our seeds with weeping.
Then one day those hearts return to God’s truth,
restoring joy and celebration in the hearts.
And on the Day of the Master’s return,
we shall all rejoice to the glory of His Name!
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Fresh Market Friday and Faith ”˜N Friends .
Yes, planting seeds is often hard work that goes unnoticed. Perhaps because God wants to teach the planter as well as the plantee. Beautiful post!
I so agree, Alyson! May our lives be hid in Christ so that only He is seen in us. Grateful you shared!
Beautiful analogy, Joanne. Love the idea of a wonderful reunion between a beloved pet and owner. The idea of “return” reminds me of one of my favorite Scriptures. “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:10 ESV. It makes me want to shout every time I read it. Blessings!
Karen, the verse you shared also conveys the same thought – the return brings joy and celebration. Jotting that Scripture down in my margin alongside of Psalm 126. May we never lose sight of the harvest which shall one day come. May we faithfully keep on seeding!
Lovely, as always. ♥ “And on the Day of the Master’s return,
we shall all rejoice to the glory of His Name!” Looking forward to His return!
Just seeing your sweet face in my comments brings me a smile. Praying you recover swiftly!
Beautiful thoughts… And Talula! BEST dog name!!!
I love how, week after week, the same word in the hands & perceptions of others can gain so much depth…
Best name for the best dog! Seriously, she is so well behaved 🙂
And I so agree! I love how we gain varied thoughts on the same word.
Weeping when our loved one turns from God and defiantly goes their own way, wreaking havoc everywhere they go. I’ve been there. And I’ve had my joy restored when she returned, just as God promised in Proverbs 22:6.
Debbie, your story and that of your daughter, is one I have marveled at. The Lord was surely merciful to your family. Blessings!
What beautiful hope and promise!
I loved this. I can just see dog and owner being reunited and the joy it brings.