“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be
constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12 ESV).
Lynn Simpson’s comment
on my July blog became a prompt to start off our August theme: "Beauty can
come from and grow in the most unexpected places! This includes our dark places when
'grappling with writing issues'". I have a sense that our theme of
“Beauty” from July can continue into August, this time with an emphasis on rejoicing, patience and prayer in dark places when we struggle.
A number of years
ago I went through a dark and silent time when life seemed to be moving
backward, not forward. I was wrestling with brokenness in my health and a necessary career
move. My wisdom was inadequate to comprehend God's purposes.
One Sunday at church the soloist sang a
beautiful piece that spoke into my need:
Here I am, Lord. Is
it I, Lord?
I have heard you
calling you in the night.
While I didn't recognize it at the time, God
was singing over me with his love and compassion, reminding me of the
Psalmist’s words, "His favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy
comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NLT). Sometimes God reminded me,
"This difficult time is a time of tender preparation.” I couldn't see an order of God's plan, nor did I know how God was taking the broken pieces of
my situation, and as the Master Artist, He was designing a new mosaic.
 |
| Mona Lisa of Galilee mosaic |
After a time, God
brought my situation together into a new design, piece by piece, reminding me now of the mosaics I saw in Israel. The details became clearer as He opened the way for me to teach English as a Second Language, first on a part-time basis and then full-time. My life
flourished once again. The world was in my classroom and I discovered rich cultural
perspectives, backgrounds and characters of my students—from over 130 countries. I also discovered
an abundance of topics to journal and write about. But most importantly, I got
to know and love people from all over the world, praying with and for them, meeting their educational and career needs, and helping them to adjust to life in Canada. I grew in empathy for our immigrants, a sensitivity I still carry
today.
As I look back on
that time of transition, I have a clearer perspective on some of God’s purposes. Scripture and other quotes helped me then and now in retrospect, and these may
give you encouragement in your situation.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,”
says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my
thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT).
When you go through deep waters, I will be
with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When
you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames
will not consume you (Isaiah 43:2 NLT).
I
pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace
because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through
the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT).
Do not force or push for anything. If nothing
comes, continue to rest in God relative to that situation. If wisdom or a next
step does not come, determine that you will respond faithfully as God makes
your way clear. Ruth Haley Barton
~ ~ ~
Now over to you. Take this month’s suggestion from
Michelle Brown: How can you use the
lead verse (above) in your writing when you are struggling to find your
message; alternatively, how does this apply to your life or a circumstance
you’ve been through?
As always, you r words strike a chord within. I am so appreciative of how you get us off to such a strong start each month with relevant and timely themes and posts. Thank you for your faithfulness. I also thank God for doing a work in your life when you needed it. I know you affected many people during your time teaching ESL.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tracy, for your faithfulness in commenting on my posts. Sometimes I feel vulnerable writing about things so close to my heart, and I've taken the plunge here to write about something very personal. Thank your for your affirmation.
DeleteSandi, I'm so grateful for your thoughtful and, as Tracy says, timely themes. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and for offering prompts that give us cause for pause and reflection and then writing about the things we've pondered in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda, for your gratitude. I've prayed about offering meaningfully themes--topics "we've pondered in our hearts."
DeleteStaying faithful in turbulent and uncertain times can be so hard especially as women who want to fix and have plans and lead our lives (often on our own)! You've taught me through your story the power of surrender and to always, always rest in God, remaining hopeful as that is also being faithful to His promise of peace.
ReplyDeleteOh, Lynn, thanks for your comment! Yes, staying faithful in turbulent and uncertain times has been a growing process for me. I'm reminded now of God's promise: "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you...plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
ReplyDeleteDear Sandi, I read your blog quickly when you posted “Beauty from the Broken Places,” and I determined to come back. I am truly blessed by the story you share of how God led and directed you through dark waters and brought you to sunnier shores.
ReplyDeleteI can identify with your saying, years later, "This difficult time is a time of tender preparation.” I couldn't see an order of God's plan, nor did I know how God was taking the broken pieces of my situation, and as the Master Artist, He was designing a new mosaic.” I too love the hymn, “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Schutte. Thank you.