As a child, I well
remember being very envious of a neighbouring
family. There were three sisters, lovely
children, who house was grander than ours, with a
piano, and they went on wonderful vacations.
As the only girl in our family, I longed for
playmates, fine toys and to on holidays with them.
As a teen and young adult, I quietly envied those
who were prettier and more popular, and especially
more confident than I was! Since then, I have
at times longed for a fine home, a bigger pay
cheque, and the ability to travel more.
I wonder if this has been
“an arrow in my heart”, as the writer of wrote of,
“He shot arrows in my heart. My own people
laugh at me. All day long they sing their
mocking songs. He has filled me with
bitterness and given me a bitter cup to drink…..Yet
as I grieve over my loss, yet I dare to hope when I
remember this: The faithful love of the Lord
never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh
each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my
inheritance; therefore I will hope in Him!’”
(Lamentations 3:13, 21-24 ESV)
God has graced me with
much more wisdom since those days, I am grateful to
declare. I have learned to appreciate the
things without a price, which make me feel rich.
These include friends who unfailingly love and
surround me, a loving family, the ability to pursue
my passions for painting and writing, wonderful
memories which make me smile, and have those whom I
love to share my life with. The writer of
Lamentations assures us that out of His great love
and compassion, God provides for us, and is faithful
to those who hope in and wait for Him.
We live in a world of
hurry and quick answers, and waiting on God can be
hard. It’s time to slow down and observe what
God has provided today and be grateful. As
believers, we have accepted Jesus as Lord and
Saviour, and permitted Him to lead us in our lives.
Not surprisingly, the more we wait on God, the
quicker we discover Him, His will, and His providing
hand.
As we choose to wait on
God, then, the desire for wealth and quick answers
fades away to a new vision of how He works in our
lives and is providing in ways we can’t even see.
The arrow in the heart was not having God at the
centre of it. “…..be patient as you wait for the
Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who
patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the
spring. They eagerly look for the valuable
harvest to ripen. You, too must be patient.
Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
(James 5:7a -8 ESV)
Prayer: In your
hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue all
that is not holy, all that is not true; crown Him as
your Captain in temptation’s hour; let His will
enfold you in its light and power (C.M. Noel,
1817-1877). Thank you for being in the centre
of our hearts and lives, dear Lord, and for meeting
all our needs in your love and compassion.
Amen.
Shirley Moulton
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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