Those who are kind reward themselves,
but the cruel do themselves harm. (Proverbs 11:17 (NRSVUE)
“An unforgiving heart is an unforgiven heart, and if you can’t forgive, you haven’t sensed His forgiveness.” Timothy Keller
Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.
Reward or Nightmare?
This “thing will give me nightmares” says the child!
I was gardening with my granddaughter and the help from a friend when I heard her little voice that had minutes before been shrilling with delight quietly say, “this thing will give me nightmares!” I quickly asked, what will give you nightmares when I saw a blob of dirt with what looked like to me ‘forever roots’ that was falling on her well manicured garden spot!
Does anything give you nightmares?
As I continued to hear the child wonder why do we need this ‘monster with too many legs’ in our garden? I thought of the words I have often cherished and quoted, “And, a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11.6)
I googled the Bible verse and AI responded with an overview:
“And a little child shall lead them” is a famous phrase from Isaiah 11:6 in the Bible, depicting a future peaceful kingdom where predators and prey live in harmony, and even a child can lead animals like wolves and lions safely. It symbolizes a, perfect peace and restoration where innocent trust overcomes fear.
Key Themes and Interpretations
- Prophecy of Peace: The passage Isaiah 11:6-9 describes the “Peaceable Kingdom,” where the, knowledge of the Lord covers the earth, resulting in total safety.
- Vulnerability over Power: It highlights that God’s kingdom is characterized by the innocence and vulnerability of children rather than, worldly power.
- The Context: The verse describes a toddler leading a group of animals—such as a wolf with a lamb, and a leopard with a goat—rather than children leading adults.
- Common Usage: The phrase is often used to suggest that children can teach adults about, simplicity, trust, and love. “
My late brother, Chet of Nags Head, NC, a good gardener, taught me when a tree or plant is root bound in a pot and I wanted to ground plant be sure to cut and break up the roots.
At times I find my thinking is root bound to old ways of thinking about many things but most often faith. Maybe I have been blinded by my sins. Taught by a flawed teacher? Parent? Friend? How to cut the ‘root bound mind roots’ that seem to give us nightmares as the child just taught me! Is it a reward or nightmare?
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
*Romans 12:2 (NRSVUE)
*Recommended Reading; Proverbs 12 and if your time permits flip back and Read Proverbs 11! Reward yourself!🙏💛
thedailylily.com 
“How to give yourself a reward or a Nightmare”. Now that will get your attention! This is a really great “How To” blog …better than a “How To” book. And the photo and video add to its impact.
Just reading, these two verses you posted, Sara, got me thinking about the root-bound minds you wrote about:
“Those who are kind reward themselves,
but the cruel do themselves harm. (Proverbs 11:17 (NRSVUE)
“An unforgiving heart is an unforgiven heart, and if you can’t forgive, you haven’t sensed His forgiveness.” Timothy Keller”
“My late brother, Chet of Nags Head, NC, a good gardener, taught me when a tree or plant is root bound in a pot and I wanted to ground plant be sure to cut and break up the roots”. Now just connecting all you have written Sara with this gardening instruction made me think that no matter where you plant a tree…and how much you enrich the soil (or don’t) one day those roots will twine around and strangle the entire tree’s root system and that tree will languish, suffer, and sadly, probably die.
“How to cut the ‘root bound mind roots’ (so we and others don’t die)? I read Proverbs 11 and 12 as you suggested. They were filled with contrasts of “rewards vs nightmares.”
Be, do good/get the reward of favor from the Lord; do evil/reap condemnation. Prov 12:2
Use good sense/be commended; have a twisted mind/be despised. Prov 12:8
Trust in your riches/fall; live righteously/flourish like a green leaf. Prov 11:28
And the rewards vs nightmare examples go on teaching us and helping us, “be transformed by the renewing of the mind,” so we can do, as you wrote, Sara, that “what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Sara said, “At times I find my thinking is root bound to old ways of thinking about many things but most often faith. Maybe I have been blinded by my sins. Taught by a flawed teacher? Parent? Friend? How to cut the ‘root bound mind roots’ that seem to give us nightmares as the child just taught me! Is it a reward or nightmare?” Now this little doll, in the garden, is helping us to see that we don’t need “this monster with legs” all in our way/life. Maybe the footnotes from Romans 12:2 (NLT) will give us a little more insight, as what to do to keep these “nightmares” away? The footnotes say: “ Paul warned Christians: ‘Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world”that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Wise Christians decide that much worldly behavior is off-limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must go even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind.’Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.’ it is possible to avoid most worldly customs, and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit, renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed(see 8:5)” 🙏
Let me repeat this again, in case I misread or miscopied the footnotes?!? 🧐🧐🧐 “ it is possible to avoid most worldly customs, and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. ”…… somebody help…. Did I get this correct? That sure is a long list of monsters/nightmares😳😱😩🫣🫨
You got it right Tammy! But, think about the wonders one will experience to put these footnotes in opposite action. These notes make me think about;
“Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 CEVDCI https://bible.com/bible/303/php.4.8.CEVDCI
Tammy, did you get a new Bible or what? These footnotes are about to give me “nightmares”!
“this monster with legs” all in our way/life. Maybe the footnotes from Romans 12:2 (NLT) will give us a little more insight, as what to do to keep these “nightmares” away? ”
Reread Tammy’s footnotes to get happy stickers! Not nightmares of monsters with legs,”
Thanks Tammy!
no new Bible Sara, but I just wanted to make sure I read and copied those footnotes correctly? Those footnotes were about to give me nightmares too!😳 thank you for clarifying that I did read and copy it correctly. I sure need to work on it, because I want those “happy stickers”!😊🙌
IMatthew 18:3, “Jesus teaches that to enter the kingdom of heaven, one must change and become “like little children,” emphasizing humility, trust, and dependency over pride or status. This “childlike faith” means trusting God completely, forgiving easily, and recognizing one’s need for guidance.”
Tammy, I think we all know children love the honor of earning a sticker from the teacher on a duty well done. I had to smile reading your comment on wanting to earn a few stickers. I love stickers, too! Our teacher Jesus loves giving his students stickers. I know you have many and many more yet to earn. Jesus is love and gentle in His teachings and generous with rewards. 👏👏👏💚
Both Sara, with her scripture, “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 CEVDCI”
And Tammy, with her footnotes…
“…it must be firmly planted in our mind.’Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.’ it is possible to avoid most worldly customs, and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit, renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed(see 8:5)” …
…emphasize the importance of a mind in action.
This made me think of and go back and read a chapter about the mind in one of Sara’s Retreat books, “The Dance of Healing – The “Ultra-Healing Spirit” comes from within”.
“Step 1, The Fallow Season – Cultivating the Mind” tells us of the importance of this: “Bring the mind into REMEMBRANCES.” II Peter 1:12-13…Peter reminds us that as long as he is in his tabernacle…he will stir us up by putting us in REMEMBRANCE…”I will not be negligent to put you always in Remembrance of these things…know them and be established in truth.”
The chapter then encourages us to “Go on a treasure hunt of II Peter I and see how many of these things you find for your personal use.” Ex: “Isaiah 44:21…Remember this…I have formed you, you are My servant…you will not be forgotten by Me!”
Sara tells us that we can ‘cultivate our souls’. How? “…by choosing some seeds from His Word. You have an abundance of seeds to choose from. Bring to Remembrance: God’s words that you would like to see sprout in your soul. (Write them out in your journal).”
Planting these good seeds goes right along with Tammy’s footnotes for the need to have our minds transformed, “…it must be firmly planted in our mind.”
I appreciate this blog, the comments and footnotes and scriptures…helping us with our “Remembrances.”