Steadfast and Sure

The weather here has been blustery, snowing, cold and wet. It's the end of April and you wouldn't know it except by looking at the calendar. People here are generally feeling blah and depressed. They yearn for the warmth of sunshine, green grass, and the typical signs of spring. Our winter has been very long this year and we had more snow than we've had in a hundred years according to the records.
We know spring weather is coming , it's a sure thing.It's a matter of when?? The promises of the weatherman keep us hoping and anticipating.
I was out for a walk today and was pelted by several snow showers. As I walked I noticed that the trees were budding out. I was excited because that's a sure sign of better days to come even though we've waited so long. All the moisture was making those buds really plump up. I was encouraged.
It all reminded me of God's sure promises, no matter how dark the days, He is there right with us. His promises keep me hopeful and anticipating as we see signs all around us of His handiwork and the order with which He planned things.
In this chaotic world, how good it is to Trust In Him.

He Knows My Thoughts

Have you ever felt manipulated , used or taken for granted? I had such a day not long ago, and I felt fully justified in my anger and resentment. On the surface I was performing the task I was told to do but underneath the surface my feelings were a cesspool of frustration threatening to boil over. Had I not done enough already? What about my needs?
Yes, I was in full self pity mode. As I was going about preparing things, I became aware of a song playing in my head… “Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life , may Jesus shine..”
What?!! “ Not now Lord!” was my initial response. “ Lord you know how tired I am … Aren’t my feelings of resentment justified? “
The song continued….” Give as twas given to you in your need., Love as the Master loves you.”
Well that stopped me short in my emotional tracks. “Oh man, your right Lord.” Forgive me in my foolishness” I recalled how the Lord used many people throughout my life to give of themselves sacrificially to care for me. My anger dissipated rapidly I began thinking deeply about what it means to serve God. It’s so easy to do good when it doesn’t require discomfort, and harder to say “Yes” to Him when the task requires sacrifice of some sort.
I’d been thinking of God’s sovereignty lately and how everything, yes everything that happens to us goes through Him first and He has a plan where our obedience and service to Him is a part of the bigger picture which we often don’t realize or understand.
I love God for teaching me about Himself through practical ways in my everyday life.
Hopefully, I have learned from this simple experience whenever I am tempted to whine about something, May the Lord bring this song to my mind again. .

God Knows Best

God Knows Best

by Helen Steiner Rice

Our Father knows what's best for us,

So why should we complain--

We always want the sunshine,

But He knows there must be rain.

We love the sound of laughter

And the merriment of cheer

But our hearts would lose their tenderness

If we never shed a tear...

Our Father tests us often

With suffering and with sorrow,

He tests us, not to punish us,

But to help us meet tomorrow...

For growing trees are strengthened

When they withstand the storm,

And the sharp cut of a chisel

Gives the marble grace and form...

God never hurts us needlessly,

And He never wastes our pain

For every loss He send to us

Is followed by rich gain...

And when we count the blessings

That God has so freely sent,

We will find no cause for murmuring

And no time to lament...

For our Father loves His children,

And to Him all things are plain,

So He never sends us pleasure

When the soul's deep need is pain...

So whenever we are troubled,

And when everything goes wrong,

It is just God working in us

To make our spirit strong.

Lifegiving Love

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Stuart Townend

One of the best songs expressing the incredible love of God that saved a wretch like me.

Quietness and Confidence

I happened across this wonderful writing by Spurgeon from “Beside Still Waters.”
Another Mom who is grieving the loss of her daughter posted it on her blog and I had to share it. Hope it touches you as it did me. Thank you for sharing JS

Isaiah 30:15"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

This is a truth concerning all the trials and troubles of this life . Some of you are passing through business troubles, for there are many tremors in the business world, and perhaps they are causing you to shake and tremble. [I thought this was funny considering that Spurgeon lived about 200 years ago!] If so, do not be readily carried away by these secondary matters. Do not let them depress or excite you. Hold loosely to all worldly things, but grip firmly the unseen God. Fussing, worrying, and hurrying will do no good. Be calm and quiet; all will be well if you are the Lord's child.Perhaps your trial is personal sickness. If so, nothing can be better than quietness and confidence. Worrying will not make you well, though it might keep you ill. You will be sick just as long as God appoints, but if anything can help to heal it is quietness and confidence of heart.Have you lost a friend? Is there a great sorrow? Have you some loved one lying in a new grave? My friend you cannot bring the dear one back, and you should not wish to do so. It is wise to submit to the inevitable. It is gracious to bow to the will of your ever-gracious God. You cannot do anything that will be as helpful to your sorrowing spirit as to exercise quietness and confidence; it will indeed be your strength.Do you have a sorrow fully equal to bereavement? Have you a loved one who daily suffers? Is that the living cross you have to carry? Do not worry. Submit to the Lord's will. Ask Him for grace to acquiesce in it, and learn to wait on the Lord.God's tested child, whatever your condition, remember this promise, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

p. 132 - Beside Still Waters (Spurgeon)