I took the leaf out of the kitchen table. Now I have a round table instead of an oval one. The centerpiece is a round placemat made of faux leaves. On it is a white candle embedded with cranberry flowers. It sits atop a black metal candle holder with copper wire wrapped around its stem. Between two of its curled legs is my new, cranberry colored, velvet pumpkin. Adjacent to it is a pumpkin scented candle in a copper tin.

My glass block has copper, leaf-shaped cookie cutters in it. There is a string of copper lights running through them. Next to it is a metal basket with leaf cut-outs on each side. I put a twine bow and leaf in the corner of the basket.

You might say decorating is my passion. Although it is not very spiritual. Or is it? I used to buy all sorts of things to decorate my house. Lately, I have used fewer things. I am even removing items from rooms. I envision what I want to use and see. I keep adding or taking away items until pleased with the result. Maybe decorating is spiritual after all.

“It’s your vision that fuels your passion. …once you line up your passion with God’s plan, there will be no stopping you. …instead of trying to stifle your passion, let God redirect it.” “The Word for You Today,” September 29, 2018

The family of Reuben’s passion was ranching. They had livestock and their operation kept growing. They outgrew their settled land. They had to expand.

1 Chronicles 5:9-10, “His family occupied the land up to the edge of the desert that goes all the way to the Euphrates River, since their growing herds of livestock spilled out of Gilead. (10) During Saul’s reign they fought and defeated the Hagrites; they then took over their tents and lived in them on the eastern frontier of Gilead.” The Message

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh had a vision. They needed more room for their livestock. They needed more room for their families. They needed to conquer land occupied by the Hagrites.

How did they do it?

1. They trained for war, 5:18.
2. They were physically fit, 5:18.
3. They practiced handling shield, sword, and bow until skilled, 5:18.
4. God helped them as they fought, 5:20.
5. They cried out to God during the battle, 5:20.
6. God heard them because they trusted Him, 5:20.
7. They acknowledged the war was God’s, 5:22.

I think the last one is the most important. No matter what we are battling, we need to remember the war is God’s. We train, take care of our bodies, and work on our skills. But trust God with the results.

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