A lady in our group had asked
Him about a difficult Bible
Passage.
"I don't understand it," she said.
Our pastor replied, "I don't get it
Either. But God is sovereign, and
When I don't understand His
Ways, I worship."
This morning, I worship.
I appreciated our pastor's honesty.
A lady in our group had asked Him about a difficult Bible Passage. "I don't understand it," she said. Our pastor replied, "I don't get it Either. But God is sovereign, and When I don't understand His Ways, I worship." This morning, I worship.
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She was in my preschool class so
Many years ago, A dainty quiet child who held my Hand on the playgound. She's a wife and mom now, a Gifted pianist, creative in every Endeavor she pursues and Courageous, amazingly Courageous. She's facing cancer, an Aggressive form. I admire her positive attitude. When she lost her hair, she Wasn't distraught. She thanked God that the Chemo was doing its job. Janelle has chosen to "embrace a New kind of crowning glory." My sweet docile preschooler has Gown up to be a stalwart warrior as She battles the intruder attacking her. She's clinging to our faithful Father. And His hand is much more Comforting and secure than mine. "I am holding you by your right hand-I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, 'Do not be afraid. I am here to help you.'" Isaiah 41:13 A friend once cautioned me,
"I don't want to be your project." It's what we tend to do, often Without realizing it. We try to "fix" folks, to make Them fit into our mold. But it doesn't work. Trying to change people just Creates resentment. If anyone needs fixing, it's me. That's why I'm God's project. He knows all my flaws. He keeps chipping away at my Unbelief, My pride, My lack of love and trust. I must be patient, and my Friends must bear with me as Well, for the sculpting process Takes a lifetime. I'm glad He won't give up on me. And when my Father is finished He'll whisk me home. I wonder what I'll look like then. I wonder how it will feel to be Finally rid of sin. "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 Before I got out of bed I began to
Mull the verse over and over in My mind. And then I began to sing the Soothing strengthening words: "Be still and know that I am God." * I faced a day of non-stop activity, And I needed the moment of Quietness and calm to prepare. *Psalm 46:10 I've learned as I get older that I
Am more fragile both physically and Emotionally. I joke at my limitations, but I find Them frustrating. It is hard to be brave when pain Strikes or emotional stress lays me Low. I feel afraid. I am humbled at my weaknesses. Nevertheless, I am encouraged. Paul proclaimed, "When I am weak I Am strong." * Weakness is not a flaw, but an Opportunity to draw on his Strength which is inexhaustible, Always available, Always sufficient. * II Corinthians 12:10 There's a Bible verse for everything.
One really applies to my situation This morning. It's one I return to again and again. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, But it's the Lord's purpose that Prevails." * I had my week all planned out, Grace Group, Bible studies, a Gathering in my home, food already Purchased. But a simple little test canceled all the Events marked on my calendar. I have Covid. But another passage also applies. Indeed, it is a verse applicable for all the Disappointments that plague us. "In everything give thanks." ** I'm grateful that my diagnosis was Covid and Not an ailment a thousand times worse. *Proverbs 19:21 **II Thessalonians 5:18 Audrey attends our Sunday service
Each month at the nursing home. An assistant pushes her in a Wheelchair because her body is Feeble. But fortunately, the lady's mind is Sharp, quite amazing since she Just turned 105. Because of her longevity, she's a Mini celebrity in the facility. "I've never met someone as old as You, " I told Audrey as I wrapped my Arm around her shoulder. I noticed she had a variety of Bracelets on both wrists. "Would you like another one?" "Yes." I added a gospel bracelet to her Collection. She understood as I shared the Meaning of the colors. Audrey said she had trusted in Jesus at some point in her long life. Earlier, I had shared an object Lesson about the changing Seasons and how we can apply Them to ourselves. I gave each resident a copy of Isaiah 46:4: "Even to your old age and Gray hairs I am He. I am He who will Sustain you. I have made you and I will Carry you. I will sustain you and I will Rescue you." Audrey is deep into the winter season Of her life. Her strength has ebbed and her body Has shriveled up. But selfishly, I hope our ancient sister Will hang on for another month till our Next service. Audrey blesses us just by being there. For sure, God is hanging on to her. In their school year days it was
Difficult to wake up my girls. I often sang "Reveille" to them, Loudly. "You've got to get up. You've got to get up. You've got to get up this morning." They detested the song. I believe they got out of bed just to Stop my singing. My daughter still likes a quiet start to Her day. I discovered that when I spend the Night at her house, my morning Cheerfulness annoys her. And now she has a verse to back her up, One I had overlooked. My friend, Jenny, shared it on Facebook this Morning: "He who blesses his friend (daughter) with a Loud voice early in the morning, It will be Reckoned a curse to him." * Oops! My girls and I memorized lots of Bible Verses while they were growing up. Missy probably wishes I hadn't Skipped this one. *Proverbs 27:14 Scripture is clear.
A righteous person will have Many troubles. Don't we know it? We're either in the middle of Trials or heading toward them. But the verse goes on to say that The Lord will DELIVER us from our Troubles, all of them. Now that's good news! Great news! Hopeful news! The only caveat is that the Passage doesn't specify "when." Psalm 34:19 |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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