Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Things That Are Helping Me Through This Week

This is my 200th post. I can hardly believe it. I don't plan any big celebrations. It has been a tough week and I want to share what I have read and heard that have kept me going.

Last week's Sunday School lesson was called "Living By Faith." It was taken from Galatians 3. The key verse was "Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, 'The righteous will live by faith.' (Galatians 3:11). I loved this thought: "One of the most important aspects of faith is that when we say we have faith in someone, it means that we trust that person. Do we really trust God? When was the last time we worried about finances, health, or our future? Probably not very long ago!" Can you say yesterday? Today? Last Thursday? I need to go back to the Woman to Woman post I wrote a few weeks ago about worry - I need to read it every day to remind myself to "practice what I preach."

If you don't know what I've been fretting and worrying about, you can go read about it here and here.

"We may rush ahead of God's timing in our lives and try to make things work when it just isn't the time or the place for things to work out. It is in the waiting - in the in-between times - that our faith is exercised." Oh, that waiting. It is so difficult.

But God is so faithful. He keeps bringing things to me that I need. For instance, besides the SS lesson last week, I have found all of these readings. There was the devotional I read this morning about a young Zulu man working a piece of soapstone, making it into something beautiful. "When the sharp knife of loss and pain chips away at us, it is Christ's soft cloth of compassion that gently brings a radiant shine to our patina. Other times He gives an inner sanding to smooth the rough, calloused edges of our hearts to develop sensitivity, forgiveness, and grace. Tenderly, Jesus encourages us to press on for the colorful and beautiful shapes that are to come." (Ellen Decker)

My favorite writer, Max Lucado says this in He Still Moves Stones: From Jeremiah 32:37, "I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me."

"We need to hear that God is still in control. We need to hear that it's not over until He says so. We need to hear that life's mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out. They are simply a reason to sit tight.

"Corrie Ten Boom used to say, 'When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through.' . . .

"The way to deal with discouragement? The cure for disappointment? Go back and read the story of God. Read it again and again. Be reminded that you aren't the first person to weep. And you aren't the first person to be helped.

"Read the story and remember, the story is yours!"

One more word from Max, from the book When God Whispers Your Name:

"Are there any unsurrendered worries in my heart? 'Give all your worries to Him, because He cares for you," (I Peter 5:7).

"The German word for worry means 'to strangle.' The Greek word means 'to divide the mind.' Both are accurate. Worry is a noose on the neck and a distraction of the mind, neither of which is befitting for joy."

Good stuff! Lord, help me to remember these words all day every day. Even if the answers next Tuesday are not what we want to hear.


There's always a song, of course, that comes to mind just when I need it. This one is by John Peterson and was written in 1952.


No one understands like Jesus;
He's a Friend beyond compare.
Meet Him at the throne of mercy;
He is waiting for you there.

No one understands like Jesus;
Every woe He sees and feels.
Tenderly He whispers comfort,
And the broken heart He heals.

No one understands like Jesus
When the foes of life assail.
You should never be discouraged
Jesus cares and will not fail.

No one understands like Jesus
When you falter on the way.
Tho' you fail Him, sadly fail Him,
He will pardon you today.

(Refrain)
No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast your every care on Him.



One other thing that keeps me going - the things my grandkids say! Today's conversation with Care Bear (almost 5, but going on at least 22) is a case in point.


Care Bear and I were talking about a t.v. show that wasn't good for little kids to watch. Just then, Leave it to Beaver came on the screen.

She said, "Is that a good show for kids to watch?"

I said, "Oh, yes, that's a really good one. In fact, I watched it when I was a kid."

In the honesty of childhood, she said, "You did? That was a lo-o-o-o-o-ng time ago! A hundred years ago!"

One last thing - I received this sweet award from Michelle at Ozarks Sew n' Sews. I love this award - the Nice Matters Award. Thank you so much, Michelle! It really helped my spirits!

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19 comments:

nancygrayce said...

A friend's 9 year old daughter recently said to her mother..."now mama, you know worrying's a sin. So if you're gonna pray, don't worry and if you're gonna worry, don't bother to pray!" out of the mouths of babes.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Still praying, Dawn.

Love you, my friend.

Diane

Delia said...

I love it when everywhere you turn there seems to be a message waiting for you.

I'm still praying.

Barb said...

This post is just full of wonderful quotes, Dawn. I know this waiting period is very difficult for you. You're in my prayers, my friend. Congratulations on the Nice Matters award. Very well deserved.

Midlife Mom said...

I'm still praying too! Sounds like you've got a lot of prayer partners and you can never have too many!

Don't you love the things the little ones come out with?! My granddaughter calls me Jelly Belly when she wants to tease me! Hummmmm... wonder why she calls me that??!!lol!

Congrats on your award Dawn, you are very, very deserving!!! xoxox

Sherry said...

Thank you for a great post. I needed it too. Still praying for you guys.

someone else said...

I'm glad you're finding such great words of encouragement for this week.

Nancy said...

Your words are encouragement for me too! Isn't it great to know that you can be an encourager to others even when your own heart is breaking? Now that is why you received the "Nice" award... and you deserve it! My prayers for you continue.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Amen amen on that post sweet friend1 I may just have to get up and shout praises to God for that post!
Oh and you are welcome and always loved sweetheart!

Maine Mom said...

Care Bear, Care Bear, Care Bear. :-)
I've got my older girls hooked on the Little House on the Prairie show. It's fun watching it with them!

Gran said...

What a wonderful and inspirational post today. You are a blessing to so many of us who love to visit your blog.

I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

(((((HUGS))))) from me to you !

kpjara said...

Lord, let Dawn's faith renew her spirit and let her mind be filled with your promises. Wrap her in your arms and hold her and whisper all your love for her!

Be glorified in Dawn today Lord! Bless her as she so blesses us.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn,

I am a huge worrier too. :( I really need to work on it.

I found you via Barb at Chelsea Morning.

I'll be back to read more.

Unknown said...

The encouragement you take, and then share, is an encouragement to us too. Thank you.

Ms. Kathleen said...

I went and caught up on everything... I had read you first initial post about the concern with the babies although at that time I don't think you knew there was more than one.

You all are very much in my prayers. God be with you all and I pray Holy Spirit and God's angels are a constant comfort during this time of waiting.

It is amazing what doctors can do nowadays.

God Bless and many hugs!

Tammy said...

Dawn, I knew something was up by one of the comments you had left with someone else...and I cannot believe I somehow missed the one important post concerning Kristen.
I just found it- then went over and left a comment with her.
I will be praying for her and those unborn little lives that God loves.
And praying for you, too!

Congratulations on your award and your 200th post!

And too cute about Care Bear's comment...and the girls and I love Leave it to Beaver, too! :)

Sherry said...

Dawn-to answer your question about Luke-he would love to do something social work-y:).

Sharon Lynne said...

Your post is pretty rich with material. I'm going to have to read it twice! Thanks for the encouraging words.

I will continue to pray for your family.

groovyoldlady said...

Wow...nannygrace. Awesome quote!

Dawn, just tell that little squirt that you're so old that you used to have to watch tv by candlelight. See if she gets it!