Like this one, the previous three posts have been on acceptance…specifically on acceptance of God’s plan for us as individuals. When we study the concept of acceptance, our concerned is usually a particular circumstance. We tend to lean in that direction because it is easier to deal with things separately and the more monumental issues tend to come one at a time. However, the truth is that we rarely deal with one any trial in a vacuum.
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A key factor in accepting God’s plan for us is trust. Do you trust God? If so, how far does that trust go? Too often our trust in God is colored more by our human relationships and our desires for information and comfort rather than the truth about who He is and His promises to us.
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God pointed me to this passage many years ago when my college roommate died of colon cancer. We were both in our mid-30s. I had just learned weeks before that we had both been enduring many similar GI tests during the fall. While my illness has added difficulty to my life, his disease took him to be with our Lord.
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I realize that many who are facing the challenges of chronic illness may not have children or have children that are grown, but that fact does not diminish our impact on the children around us…even the grown ones. Training the generations to come, is not limited to parents only. Many people without children of their own have nieces and nephews, are teachers or have friends with children. My point is, whether or not we have children of our own, we have an impact on those coming up behind us.
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Because of my health, I was forced to retire much earlier than planned. For several years, I could barely function. My goal each day was to be showered and dressed before my wife came home from work.
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As I write this, I am enjoying a lovely day. The air is clean after a summer rain, it is warm, the sun is shining, there is a nice breeze and the birds are singing. So far, it is quite easy for me to rejoice and be glad in this day.
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For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Producing art, whether for functional use, the sheer beauty of it or some combination of the two, takes effort and skill. In my youth I used to tool leather. I made belts, purses, bible covers, etc. Some projects were from kits, others were on pre-cut pieces and the remainder were those that were started with a piece of tanned hide. Obviously the latter required the most effort in that I had to decide what I was making, its intended purpose, its shape, and its dimensions. From there the cutting had to be precise which was not easy with a utility knife. Once cut, the leather had to be moistened to keep it pliable to that the stamping and carving could be done properly and evenly. After being tooled it had to be died and finished. Each piece was unique and an investment of time, effort, and creativity. The process was a very faint imitation of how God has created each of us.
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Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Psalm 146:1-2
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalm 104:33
Waking up on a bright and warm sunny day, I’m reminded of Psalm 19 and feel that the heavens are calling me join them in praise of our God.
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My wife and I are at that age where we seem to be attending significantly more funerals. Very recently a dear uncle has left this earth to be with his Lord. His wit, humor and compassionate spirit will be greatly missed for the duration of our lives. While we are happy for those receiving their eternal reward, we truly miss those that have had a significant impact on our lives. Psalm 90 is one of those psalms that really puts life into perspective. A very brief summary is; “life is short; live it well.” Oh how short our lives really are and the comparison of life to grass in verse five drives the message home!
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