Showing posts with label Patience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patience. Show all posts

Friday, September 29, 2017

The Potter's Plans

I know that there are those anticipating my blogged updates from the other side of the planet and the other hemisphere...but I am still north of the equator, this side of the pond. Nevertheless it is due that this dusty blog come out of the coma it went into when yours truly plunged into the deep end of nursing school.

God does not see as humanity sees. (Amen?!) He doesn't plan like us either. Why would you? If your vision was not limited to time and space, and your plans had creative power, why formulate any idea only within the box of here and now? It wouldn't make sense. After all, what kind of plans would we devise?


What kind of plans would we devise,
Who have but mortal minds and eyes?
Who cannot see the greater scheme,
Nor conjure an immortal dream?

How would we plan from day to day
(When we cannot discern the way
That circumstances often take)
And not be left to our mistake?

Whose thoughts can think beyond this realm?
Whose arm can handle his own helm?
Whose goals are broad enough or high 
As His whose stars still trace the sky?

Could we record the sands of earth?
Or figure out the code of birth?
Could we design our very breath?
Or somehow stop the work of death?

Then how do we suppose we may,
Now orchestrate ourselves our way
And from a human point of view
Contrive a life that's worth debut?

How can we think that if we could,
We'd work things out just as they should,
Preventing all the bumps and rain,
And getting all we reckon gain? 

Do we forget that One whose heart
Has held us from the very start,
Whose fingers fashioned us -the clay,
Is also Potter of each day?


Do we now think that in His hands
Our life's in danger at His plans?
When every turn the Potter makes
Produces what He undertakes?

This is the One who's Authored life,
Who knows the controversies' strife,
Who walked this earth in Heaven's will,
From manger to Golgotha's hill

This is the One whose love would dare,
Almighty bonds to cut and tare,
And God from God Himself to break,
In my behalf, for His love's sake

Then how can we not trust to Him:
The future which we see so dim;
The turns beyond finite repeal;
When they are of the Potter's wheel?

And can we not discern and tell,
That He who "doeth all things well",
Does not forget His chosen clay, 
But purposely leaves it to lay?

That through each change the Potter's hand,
May work out that which He had planned
And one day to His Father bring,
A vessel fit to serve the King.



Sunday, October 27, 2013

Normal Life

Two months and five days later to be exact. Normal life is returning, both faster and slower than I care it to. “Restrictions” sluggishly carry on for two more weeks: no lifting, pushing, or pulling more than 20 lbs. (which basically equals no work.) No running, and definitely no jumping. No ladders. No scaffolding. No violin. 

At least singing isn’t forbidden. Chewing is permitted as long as it doesn’t hurt. :)

The post-surgery pain is gone… almost. Exceptions arise on a walk, an obstinate pile of rice, a bumpy ride, and sometimes no apparent reason at all. Those squishy blue gel-packs from the freezer still feel heavenly. 

Mostly though, things are normal. Pause.

What is normal? 

Far too many have never known a pain-free day. The world is saturated with crippled, hurting people. Who is going to help them?

The abundance of kindness and sympathy given me is a royal waste if it’s not passed on. Whatever blessing you or I receive, gives it’s truest gift, as we put it in the hands of another. Simply, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

And this, I know is true. The self-sacrificing work, is the only satisfying work. Whether grateful eyes look deep into yours, or you hold only the consciousness of right doing, that. is. satisfaction. Why?

Because we were made to give. We were made to be like God. And He gives.

That means… 

       …God meant giving to be normal.

Then that's the normal we want...

Rubber bands: day and night for ever and ever.
.  .  .
(Until they're done, you understand :)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Gather the Roses

      The promises of God: what a precious blessing they are! They encourage, strengthen, uplift, ennoble. God has given them already, it is up to us what we will do with them. Will we cherish them? Will we search for them? Will we share them with those in need? Will we value them? The promise of God are like flowers: Very beautiful when you stop to look at them, but they will not stop the busy passer-by. We must take time to pick the roses. The Heavenly Gardener has many flowers suited to each need. He knows exactly which flower to give, which promise to put before our eyes at the time of greatest need. Here are a few of God's flowers. 
      "Your life is precious in the sight of God. He has a work for you to do. It is not unfolded to you now, but just walk on trustingly without a single word, because this would grieve the dear Jesus and show that you were afraid to trust Him. Lay your hand in His; He is reaching over the battlements of heaven [for it] to be laid confidingly in His. Oh, what love, what tender love has Jesus manifested in our behalf. The Bible promises are the pinks and the roses and the lilies in the garden of the Lord... Do not listen to Satan’s lies, but recount God’s promises. Gather the roses and the lilies and the pinks. Talk of the promises of God. Talk faith. Trust in God, for He is your only hope. He is my only hope." – {DG 146}


Gather the roses, the lilies, and pinks,
Destiny rests upon that which one thinks
Promises brighten the heart and the mind,
But contemplate doubts and thorns you will find

There may be briers that poke and that prick,
But cherish the blooms that near them are thick
Dwell upon trials and thorns multiply,
Though promises blossom in heaven's supply

When thistles increase, and hardships abound,
Look for the blossoms that there will be found
Flowers like promises sent from above,
Bloom bright in trials of patience and love

Contemplate blessings, and more will be seen,
Splashing their colors across fields of green
Dwell in the pastures where God's word is found,
Eating each morning from heavenly ground

Gather the roses, the lilies, each one,
Pick them ahead of the fast rising sun
Think and consider upon heaven's word,
Faith will then strengthen and hope be assured