A Compass, a Question, and an Amazing God

      Fresh, clean, quiet. There are few times in a week I relish more than Friday night. The tide of the week has receded. Little pools alone remain as it were, calm and still. The light of day softens to gold, gilding the evening as if in welcome. 

We sit, usually. Absorbed in something of study, or thought, or just in the picture out the window. And then it happens. Someone looks up. It could be any of us. We all know the routine. But we all love it, and somebody has to start it. 

Shall we talk about what we’re thankful for? 

And thus ensues the evening. 

Sometimes when discouragement or weariness threatens, we widen the mold. Friday night, Sunday night, Tuesday morning, it doesn’t matter. What are you thankful for?

It’s a kind of calibration system, a compass for where we’re at. Disappointments and trials may come, but thanksgiving notwithstanding acknowledges that we have received good at the hand of God. That we receive, and God gives. 

And His giving is good. For that is the way He is. 

Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus I will bless Thee while I live. Psalm 63:3-4

The reality that God is, (that merciful, gracious, righteous, is He, and that He is real), is enough to supply the fund of our praise. 

Take out your compass. Maybe it’s dusty. Maybe it’s had recent use, but regardless, it bares a loaded question. Loaded that is, with health-giving, life-giving, blessing:

What are you thankful for?

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Some time ago, our hearts were bound,
With ties of friendship dear
For God did sow seeds in the ground,
Where love would soon appear ;)
My sister now, and still my friend,
Though physically not near,
I pray God's blessings start to end
On this your newest year!

INFC_A New Day

      A new day. A new time. Change is here again. Seasons come and go so quickly that it seems only the adaptable person could get accustomed to a change before it changes again. 

      Over the years, we have been blessed, encouraged, challenged, inspired… stretched way out of our comfort zone. Need I say it again? Way out.

      Now, that day is over. Yet it remains. Challenges, blessings, inspiration, these continue to come. Heaven-ordained stretching? It hasn’t stopped. That’s a good thing.

      Heaven ordains it that way. Change may come to us as a very unwelcome thing, yet without change the pool becomes stagnant, the water muddy. More changes are doubtless about to burst their challenges and blessings across our path. But that’s okay. 

      Heaven ordains it that way. Not that our Father in heaven brings about every change that comes upon us, but He can use every change to profit. 

      The words of the hymn dash across my mind: In every change… He. Faithful. Will. Remain.

My friends this day is not yet done,

There's battles still to fight

Eternity has not begun,

There still remaineth night

Though changes come within the day,

We must keep on our course

For pressing on the upward way,

Will bring us no remorse

This thing of change seems to remain,

When surely change must cease 

But at each turn through joy or pain,

We're offered heaven's peace

We cannot fight, we cannot work,

Apart this holy grace

Dear friends, I beg you do not shirk,

To seek Him in this place

When camp is done and home you go,

It may seem dark as night

But this you can both trust and know,

That One for you will fight

Oh friends in trial deep and long,

Our God can hold your home

For each one in His arms belong,

Eternally, at home!