No mistake in grabbing that book to read in the waiting room today...no coincidence at all.
Having been overwhelmingly busy lately, reading has taken a back seat to many other things. Though regretfully Ann Voskamp's 'One Thousand Gifts' (which has been in my possession most of the year), has still not been completed, there has yet to be regret in picking it up, no matter how few pages are actually turned. Today was no different.
The book was opened while the morning was still fresh and pleasant, but God knew the text that this heart would need to remember once night came. The events of the afternoon were not major or overly dramatic, but just enough to make this Momma want to call it quits. It was one of those moments, where you say to yourself,
"Really? We have to deal with this again? Why can't we just be done with it already?!"
A time where the heart breaks because of the overwhelming desire for better things for the one you love...things that are SO very opposite from what is being chosen, over and over again...where the heart aches for eyes to be opened and ears to hear so that potential can be realized, dreams fulfilled.
The words from the morning's pages came rushing back tonight, timed perfectly to remind of exactly what is needed. Writing the words helps the memory...
The author, who writes of gratitude, shared Psalms 136:3-7
"Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights - His faithful love endures forever."
She reminds to give thanks as an act of remembering God's faithfulness, "Because remembering with thanks is what causes us to trust - to really believe."
Further on, it is wisely noted that just as lack of thankful trust in God caused our separation, so the adding draws us closer to Him. "It's only when you live the prayer of thanksgiving that you live the power of trusting God."
And when human memory fails to remind of a holy God - instead recalling only hurt and pain - author Ann ponders, "He gave us Jesus...Gave Him up for us all. If we have only one memory, isn't this one enough? Why is this the memory I most often take for granted?...If God didn't withhold from us His very own Son, will God withhold anything we need?"
"If trust must be earned, hasn't God unequivocally earned our trust...? He's already given the incomprehensible."
"All gratitude is ultimately gratitude for Christ...We can be too weak to go on because His strength is made perfect in utter brokenness and nail-pierced hands help up. It is safe to trust! We can give thanks in everything because there's a good God leading, working all things into good."
"How do you count on life when the hopes don't add up?...The hopes don't have to add up. The blessings do...Count blessings and discover Who can be counted on."
And as the author begins to experience the reality of these Truths, as she begins to see God's faithfulness unfold in her remembering and giving of thanks, she takes notice. In the midst of overwhelming challenge, frustration, and fear in her own life, transformation is revealed as God honors His Word.
Now to wrap up with her personal testimony as a reminder to myself in the midst of my own overwhelm,
"I feel no fear and it makes no sense...Nothing has materially changed since yesterday's fears, last week's anxiety. But I have. I'm changing. I am changing, deep changing, and I am giving thanks...and I know why there's no fear and why had I never seen it before?...Thanks is what builds trust...Count blessings and discover Who can be counted on."
This is a tough one - a difficult place to see blessings - but there is hope to be found in the One I trust.
420. A friend's listening ears...even when the story seems unchanging.
421. Unexpected generosity.
422. Calm conversation, however brief it may be.
423. A silent car ride.
424. Budding talents.
425. ENORMOUS potential. :)
2 comments:
Stacie, Thank you SO MUCH for this post. I have read this book but it is so difficult to remember all the nuggets of wisdom. The chapter on trust spoke volumes to me then, and now, reading your highlights, it is speaking to me again. Keep on sojourning Sister!
Thanks for the encouragement - glad to hear that what I needed could also be of help to someone else!
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