It was a long and stressful day at work - two big messy projects are due this Wednesday and Thursday. I left office around 9 pm. Sitting in Metro I was totally exhausted, my mind was spinning with all the data pieces, models, issues, methods, clients and my head ached so badly. After getting off Metro I was on a bus that would depart in 10 minutes. I decided to read a few pages of the book I was carrying in my purse. Here is what met my eye:
Dear Child, God does not say today, "Be strong;"
He knows your strength is spent; He knows how long
The road has been, how weary you have grown,
For He who walked the earthly roads alone,
Each bogging lowland, and each rugged hill,
Can understand, and so He says, "Be still,
And know that I am God." The hour is late,
And you must rest awhile, and you must wait
Until life's empty reservoirs fill up
As slow rain fills an empty upturned cup.
Hold up your cup, dear child, for God to fill.
He only asks today that you be still.
Tears rolled down my face as I read these words. What a loving God He is, that He chose to speak to me and give me comfort when I needed it the most. I decided to stop worrying and rest in His presence, tonight and the days ahead. [ As I was typing in the last few sentences of this poem, my mind wandered to my Gather icon - what a perfect illustration! :) ]
In case you are wondering, the book I happened to carry today was 'Springs in the Valley' by Mrs Charles Cowman, a companion daily devotional book to 'Streams in the Desert'. The last time I touched it was probably two months ago. For some reason I brought it with me this morning and ended up reading this piece which is designated to be read on October 31st. :)
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Comments: 43
love it,bless you
Well said. Take it easy and relax. Life doesn't have to be too stressful no matter whatever due date is coming. There is nothing more important than having a peace in your mind. Have a good sleep!
Thanks, webfish. How have you been?
I am afraid that some due dates are just impossible to ignore. :(
Relax as God says in his word. He spoke straight to you. Relax,rest and take it easy.
this was nice
This is a beautiful poem. I am trying to do just this. I seek answers from God and he is saying wait. It is difficult to put all your life into God's hands, but it is something we all must do.
Agree. A lot of times inaction is much more difficult than action, even for a person as lazy as I am. :)
Several years ago, after the death of my 17 yr old son--- a co-worker gave me a beautiful leather bound copy of 'STREAMS IN THE DESERT."
God is a mighty and wonderful God. Lonnie Ray Fowler
Lonnie, I am so sorry for your loss. Hopefully you did find comfort in the book, and most importantly, from God. I am glad to see you still think he is wonderful after going through the heart break. Blessings~
Thanks, all!
(Will reply better after I get through this week. :))
Very nicely written
very nice
I'm glad you found a passage which spoke to you.
Thanks all.
He is the stream in the desert.
:) Bless you
Dear Ru, no matter what we have to face in our lives and what happens around us, our God is everlasting God. He will always keep His promise and He will always open His arms whenever you need Him. I am glad you are finding comfort in Him once more.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thanks for sharing.
Very well said, Hai. Thanks for your prayers!
Thanks for such a meaningful post.
:)
This is wonderful. These are some of the most comforting words we can own: "Be still, And know that I am God."
I have a magnet with this sentence on my refrigerator, as a constant reminder. :)
There is no luck or happenstance in our lives...... The Lord knew you would need that message. Thank you for sharing this with us and may God continue to bless you my friend........
Thanks Sandy and John. I totally agree that there is no happenstance in our lives, everything has to pass God's permission before reaching us.
One of my favorite passages - Be still, and know that I am God.
It's a two-parter at least mmm? First - Be still.
But that's not all. Be still; not as in sleeping or day dreaming or vegging. No, not vegging ... Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am God.
It's an active stillness. Like a flower is 'still' but is always always striving to be as close to the light as possible. Slow motion or time lapse will show that to be true. :)
Like a chunk of iron is 'still', and yet will always be drawn to a magnet. Even if another force keeps them from coming together ... the iron will still strive toward the magnet, seemingly 'still' and yet actively striving.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
Ru, Thanks for this article. :)
Lee, thanks for your comment. I like your interpretation a lot!
Active stillness - very well put. :)
Glad it helped you destress from your day.
Need to all the time
Wow oh wow, Ru, I really need this......my sister-in-law is dying of cancer......she's now in a Hospice House......I spent almost 8 hours there yesterday (3 trips).....am getting ready to leave now to spend more time.........time is very, very short.........she is slowly slipping away into the sunset......it is a soft, gentle departure..........my husband can't deal with it so I will be there.
I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate this, right at this VERY moment..........I need encouragement, prayers, support.....this is terribly difficult..........God bless you always!
Nora, I will pray for you and may God's peace be with you always.
It must be very difficult to see a loved one passing, but she will be in a far better place than this world. Compared to eternity, our time here is short anyway.
I am glad this article helps you a little. I will keep praying for your family.
Thanks for sharing. Wish you have peace all the time.
:-)
Isn't it amazing how we are always led to the right things at the right times ... just when we need them! :) have a good rest of the week and hopefuly you'll be able to enjoy a break this weekend!
Yes, Jan, I was amazed so many times. :)
And thanks! I hope I can be back to normal this weekend. :)
Thank you. I really appreciate all your comments. I will reply more after I survive this week. Blessings to all ~~
It is so beautiful...... encourage us all!
Thank you so much for this. It has been a very hard year for our family. My husband lost his job in January, we are getting our home foreclosed upon this August and going bankrupt then as well. Our car is going through the bankruptcy and I am trying to just finish finals in schol this next week. I graduate next weekend. I am holding up my cup, praying it will runneth over that I may give out once more to those in need all around me. Thank you again
I will pray for you as well, Denise.
God is faithful and trustworthy. His grace is enough for us and He will carry you through the toughest situations. Be still and watch how He will fight for you. Blessings~
What a nice blessings to read. God does care for us all.
Thanks, Lee. Yes, He surely does!
I am so blessed. I wish sometime I could write about all the things God has done for me. His guidance at different stages of my life, His comfort and love that accompanied me during hard times, and His discipline. He is an amazing God.
I still need to learn to be still, as well as many other lessons. :)