I can't believe it's been over a month since I posted anything on here. So many things have happened since then.
My sister-n-laws Dad died. This brought all of my brother's family home for a couple of weeks which meant lots of time with them. Even though the reason was not the one you want for getting to spend time together. I stayed at my Mom's a couple of nights. We celebrated Donna's birthday with a "tea".
I have other photos to post from all the visiting but it's late so another time.
I was reading this the other day and
wanted to post this because it is where I am trying to be:
from Streams in the Desert
September 10th
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Psalm 138:8
There is a divine
mystery in suffering, one that has a strange and supernatural power and has never been completely
understood by human reason. No one has
ever developed a deep level of spirituality or holiness without experiencing a
great deal of suffering. When a person
who suffers reaches a point where he can be calm and carefree, inwardly smiling
at his own suffering and no longer asking God to be delivered from it, then the
suffering has accomplished its blessed ministry, perseverance has “finish(ed)
its work” (James 1:4), and the pain of the Crucifixion has begun to weave
itself into a crown.
It is in this
experience of complete suffering that the Holy Spirit works many miraculous things
deep within our soul. In this condition,
our entire being lies perfectly still under the hand of God; every power and
ability of the mind, will, and heart are at last submissive; a quietness of
eternity settles into the entire soul; and finally, the mouth becomes quiet,
having only a few words to say, and stops crying out the words Christ quoted on
the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1).
At this point the
person stops imagining castles in the sky, and pursuing foolish ideas, and his
reasoning becomes calm and relaxed, with all choices removed, because the only
choice has now become the purpose of God.
Also his emotions are weaned away from other people and things, becoming
deadened so that nothing can hurt, offend, hinder, or get in his way. He can now let the circumstances be what they
may, and continue to seek only God and His will, with the calm assurance that
He is causing everything in the universe, whether good or bad, past or present,
to work “for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
Oh, the blessings
of absolute submission to Christ! What a
blessing to lose our own strength, wisdom, plans, and desires and to be where
every ounce of our being becomes like a peaceful Sea of Galilee under the omnipotent
feet of Jesus! from Soul Food
The main thing is
to suffer without becoming discouraged.
Francois Fenelon
The heart that
serves, and loves, and clings,
Hears everywhere
the rush of angel wings