The Backyard Pond
I am fabulously (past the limits of belief) in love with the great outdoors. God was so good to create all of this wonderful earth for us. Can you even begin to imagine what Heaven will be like? You know; His word says that in His Father's House are many mansions. In another part of His Word; He tells us that He goes to prepare a "place" for us. We can use our imaginations here. These are just my thoughts, but I would like to think of a beautiful pond with stepping stones and you can just hear the water gurggling as it flows down those stones.
The birds are fairly singing for joy, trying to outdo one another with their praise for God. As I meander down one of the woodsy paths, it takes my breath away to see the sunlight trickling down, splashing the forest floor with the warmth of its rays. As we sit down to visit on some old white wicker; we feel the whisper of a breeze as it gently kisses our brow. Was that a drone of a bee sipping on nectar, the song of the wiperwill and yes, in the distance the hunted love song of the turtle dove?
I do know one thing for sure...God is here! His presence is so overwhelming that it brings tears to my eyes.
I would love to invite anyone that would read this to feel welcomed to stop by. I believe each and everyone of us has problems, face trials, bear burdens that sometimes seem heavier than we can bear. His Word tells us to bear one anothers burdens and that is what I would like the Backyard Pond to be...a place to come and share, a place to come to encourage one another.
Would you meet me at the pond for a spot of tea and a visit? We can start by praising God for what He has done and let Him have His way in the remainder of our visit.
"Glorify ye the Lord in the fires." Isaiah 24:150
Have you ever been through the fires of afflication? Do you know the definition of afflication? Webster's Dictionary says it aptly well. Afflection: suffering, pain, mental suffering. The Lord allows us to face some things. We may be struggling with finantial difficulties and even though we know God will undertake and work it out; all these other little "foxes" come tearing in. Sickness strikes, perhaps long term. Our children may go through things of their own which causes our hearts to break. "Oh, Lord..how long"?
Not a one of the above is a stranger to me. I must share of a testimony that I was priviledged to hear. Is it not heartening to see some precious one who just has to be broken in body, but who retains the splendor of an unbroken patience? What a witness all this offers to His wonderful grace! Our God was certainly glorified in this. This precious one has been through so much and still; there is a song in her heart.
No matter what my dear and precious family and friends may be facing in this amazing day of "falling away", we need to just hold onto the Lord's hand real tight like. He won't let go...thank God, He won't let go! And...as my friend encouraged me with her testimony, that in turn glorified our God. He is my all in all.
Remember..."Glorify ye the Lord in the fires."
ANY TIME THE FUTURE LOOKS GRAY, I HAVE AN ATTIC FULL OF YESTERDAYS
It is a dreary morning here along the Banks of the Alleghney River. Rain is falling softly. It feels like a "candle" morning. I adore lighting a candle to help dispel the gloom. Not only does my home smell like Hazelnut Cream (my favorite old-fashioned scent) but the flickering glow of the candle is soothing. It tells me that the "sun" is out there behind all those clouds and in turn reminds me that no matter what clouds of adversity are in my life...The (Son) is still there.
I have a dear friend that has been faced with much grief. Serious physical issues have touched her family. She has had more than her share of what any human could stand. Much is yet to be faced. "Sometimes the days seem long...our trials hard to bear...". "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus...". My family have gone through some real trials lately...burdens that seemed too hard to bare. I needed to remember what I just read recently in the Book of Isaiah. Chapter 40, beginning with verse 28 states, "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint".
Powerful words! So we must remember that when things look gray, we have an attic full of yesterdays to remind us how much God loves us. His Word is filled with promises and if we love Him, have put Him first in our lives; He will give us the help we need, the strength to keep pressing on. If what we pray for is according to His Will, He will undertake. Remember...it will be worth it all.
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