The Yin and the Yang of Relationships and the Call To Sow Abundantly

This picture is a simulation of the yoga class my sister Wendy roped me into attending. This pose is an example of one of the moves the instructor told us to achieve, only without the benefit of a wall or railing to hang on to. Also our leg was supposed to be about twenty feet higher in the air with a graceful arch and our arms were both supposed to be stretched elegantly in front and our neck and head extended backwards such that our forehead gently touched our butt.

And we were to simultaneously breathe deeply in and out of our nose. No mouth breathing or eyes bugging out or sweat dripping off our noses allowed. The instructor didn't exactly say that but while everyone else was in Nirvana and I was gulping in bucket-loads of oxygen (through my mouth) and feeling an overwhelming urge to puke, sweating like a pig, everyone else was standing like statues, balancing on two toes with eyes closed, hands in a prayerful position, contorted like a bunch of snakes in a pit.

I laughed out loud a few times, which also was not exactly protocol in Tai Chi Yoga. I think I have the name correct. It made me think of my favorite expensive hot tea out at Starbucks where I would have paid at least a million dollars to be rather than twisting my body into impossible positions.

The nausea only lasted about an hour. When it had passed, Wendy asked if I would be doing class again with her on Wednesday.

Now contrast that picture above with THIS one:

Or this:

 Or this:

Which of these activities would you rather be doing than Tai Chi Yoga? In my book, any one of them. However, Wendy did agree to ride 22 miles on her bike with me yesterday, then kayak 3 miles in search of dolphins, and go to a 2 hour Time Share presentation so we could snag $150 in restaurant vouchers.

And while we waited forty minutes at the world's best seafood place, she did agree to sit on the rocks overlooking the water where we sighted dolphins!

So this is the yin and the yang of relationships. I am sure tai chi yoga-ists are really into yin and yang. Give a little, take a little.  Kayak three miles with me, and I will stretch my body into muscle-spasm hell.

Bike 22 miles with me, and I will go to the verge of barfing to do the things you (inexplicably) enjoy doing.

It is a Biblical principle after all. The Bible tells us:

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8


We reap what we sow. What we sow cheerfully and joyously will rebound upon us. This works in relationships, and it works spiritually. When we joyfully obey God and offer ourselves as living sacrifices to His will and purpose, we reap eternal rewards. There really is nothing more satisfying than feeling God's pleasure and delight, and watching His miracles unfold as we labor in His fields.
(Though kayaking and biking, and kissing a horse's nose come close.)

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To volunteer with Cities4Life and be a vessel God can use to save babies doomed to abortion, please email me at vkaseorg@cities4life.com
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Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Galatians 6:7-10

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.