And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows— how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. --Mark 4:26-28 
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. —Psa. 90:12 

Life has a rhythm, a lot like walking. The foot that’’s reaching ahead to where you want to go will soon be the same foot you withdraw from where you’’ve been. In the motion of walking – like the motion of living – we straddle both where we were and where we’re headed with each step.  Where you are today is the result of steps you took yesterday. And tomorrow you will either regret or rejoice in the steps you take today.

Sowing & Reaping…
​
And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil... —Mark 4:26 

​The entire Kingdom of God operates on the sowing and reaping principle. The farmer sits at his table today and eats the fruit of last years’ labors. He then gets up and returns to the field to labor for next year's’ happiness.  Just like the natural laws that govern farming, our lives also are the result of sowing and reaping. If one can manage his life with that rhythm in mind, rather than always living only in the moment, he can live a productive life. Today’’s decisions can set up tomorrow’’s happiness. So don’’t react negatively to today’’s regrets over the fruit of yesterday’’s planting.  But simply correct your sowing for tomorrow’’s improvement...

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"  —John 21:21-22
​
Many years ago as a young "Jesus Freak", we wore out a song that was our anthem, "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus". The 2nd verse was my favorite: "Though none go with me still I will follow. No turning back. No turning back." That sentiment was forged into our spiritual DNA. And it became the minimal requirement for being a follower of Jesus. For there was no such thing as a "Christian" who wasn't entirely a Follower of Jesus...

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1Th. 5:16-18

One thing you can never have too much of is Thanksgiving. God never says, “Enough. You may stop now.” Prayer may be rejected but Thanksgiving is never rejected. Prayer may go unanswered but Thanksgiving is never unanswered.  You may pray amiss but you cannot Thank God amiss. I’ve seen wrong prayer but never wrong Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is always right…Thanksgiving is always good....

Then His mother and His brothers came and, standing outside, they sent word to Him, calling [for] Him. And a crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, Your mother and Your brothers and Your sisters are outside asking for You. And He replied, Who are My mother and My brothers? And looking around on those who sat in a circle about Him, He said, See! Here are My mother and My brothers; For whoever does the things God wills is My brother and sister and mother!
--Mark 3:31-35