I'm pressed to begin sharing again what God is teaching me and about life. He is filling my heart and soul with His presence and care, even though I struggle daily! I have been recovering from surgery and so I have been dependent on the Lord and my loved ones to care for me. The Lord uses every circumstance in our lives to teach and strengthen us... if we listen and respond. It is so hard to constantly be shaped and molded, but if we had no struggles then would we need Him?
I used to think that if I worked really hard to reach the goal of something (like being patient) that the trial to strengthen me would be over. Well...that's not how it works. I will never be perfectly patient or perfect in anything, hence my need for constant care from the Father to teach me.
I just read some of my favorite biographies. Elisabeth Elliot, is one of my heroines. Her husband went to the Auca Indians in Ecuador as a missionary and friend and they murdered him and several of his dear missionary friends. She forgave them and later took their daughter and lived among these same people to continue her husbands work of spreading the gospel! Can you imagine?? Forgiving and then going back with your little girl and living among the people who murdered your precious husband.
"I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done.”
― Elisabeth Elliot, Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control
― Elisabeth Elliot, Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control
Then I read about Susanna Wesley and how she birthed 19 children, but 9 of her precious babies did not live past infancy. She then struggled with a difficult marriage, her home burning twice, persecution from the town, imprisonment in her older age (for her deceased husbands unpaid debts), much hardships with her adult children's lives and other constant struggles. BUT, she continued to be faithful to her Lord, teaching her children diligently and leading others to Christ her entire life. Her legacy lives on in her sons work. Charles wrote many hymns that we love and sing still like,"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and Christ the Lord is Risen today" and 6,000 other hymns! Her son John is the is credited with the foundation of Methodism.
I finished today re-reading about Corrie Ten Boom. She was angry and did not want to forgive the persecutors from WW2, the years and years of persecution they endured and the loss of her dear sister and father through it all. But in her old age she was face to face with one of the officers who had persecute her in the concentration camp. He asked for her forgiveness and it took all of her strength as she remembered that "forgiveness is an act of will- not an emotion". As she reached out her hand to shake his, she said an incredible thing took place. "The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. 'I forgive you brother!, I cried. 'With all my heart!'" "I had never known God's love so intensely as I did them. But even so, I realized it was not my love. I had tried, and did not have the power. It was the power of the Holy Spirit!"
If these precious saints can press on well,
then so can you and I.
The Lord was faithful and now they are all in eternal glory!
I'm clinging to Him and His promise that His love will never let me go. I John 4:12-13, "If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit."
Isn't it Amazing that He has given us His Spirit and helps us! If we constantly remember that and seek to glorify Him,
then we will have the strength to persevere!
Life is truly difficult...some days are easier than others full of grief, depression, anger, insecurities, pain and the list goes on.
Let's press on to Abide in Him and to Adore Him when life is heavy and when life is sweet.
“O my Lord, in Thine arms I am safe; keep me,
and I have nothing to fear; give me up, and I have
nothing to hope for. I know nothing about the
future, but I rely upon Thee. I pray Thee to give
me what is good for me; I pray Thee to take from
me whatever may imperil my salvation. I leave it
all to Thee, because Thou knowest and I do not. If
Thou bringest pain or sorrow on me, give me grace
to bear it well, keep me from fretfulness and selfishness.
If Thou givest me health and strength and
success in this world, keep me ever on my guard
lest these great gifts carry me away from Thee.
Give me to know thee, to believe on Thee, to love
Thee, to serve Thee, to live to and for Thee. Give
me to die just at that time and in that way which
is most for Thy glory. Amen."
John Henry Newman
Here is a beautiful song to encourage you in your walk!
Abide with me
Abiding and Adoring, Mary Elisabeth
