The flyleaf of the devotional I'm currently using, Come Before Winter...and Share My Hope by Chuck Swindoll says (of its sections) "Before Winter...preparation...learning how to face the "winters" of life, confronting the challenge of rising doubts and apprehension." and then "Mid-Winter's Blast"...perseverance...enduring those numbing days when adversity howls across our personal landscape like a cold north wind." A number of months ago when I started it (my morning reading time is sporadic, I'm sorry to say) I distinctly remember wondering what my winter would be and when it would come. In the amazing and perfect timing God has, yesterday's entry ended the "Before Winter" section and today's begins the "Midwinter's Blast". I'm not making this up, and I share it because it's another reminder that no matter how I may fail to do what I can and should, God is always, always there at just the right time with just the exactly right resources I need. Yesterday's entry asked us to look at Lamentations 3 and choose one or two verses to focus on. Mine were verses 32 and 33 "Though he (the Lord) brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Isn't that beautiful? And I believe it with all my heart. Chuck Swindoll, by the way, is one of my favorite authors - he writes insightfully and incisively, with a depth of wisdom, passion, humor, and command of the language greater than I've found in any other. I would recommend his work without hesitation to the brilliant people I work with and for, no matter what your personal beliefs may be.
So...I'm still waiting to see what the "Almanac" predicts for this winter of mine. No final biopsy results yet, no appt yet with the surgeon. God has me in an immersion course on patience. I was talking with my son last night about patience and he said "yeah, that's not my strong suit either. But I figure if I haven't needed it by now I probably won't." Dangerous words, methinks! and of course, he didn't really mean it (did you, Kevin?!) So we'll see what today brings - hoping and praying it will bring blessing to each and every one of you dear people who take the time from your busy day to read this.
By the way, I did set up a new personal email account for this blog site and you're welcome to use it if you wish. It's fine to continue to send to my work email as well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Val, thank you so much for creating your blog. It is such a blessing to be part of your prayer family. Jim and I will keep you and Gary in our thoughts and prayers. You write so beautifully it is like a devotional to read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. May God Bless you, Jim and Sherry
ReplyDelete