Rediscovering the Joy

Lately, I've had a really hard time being motivated to spend time being still and meditating on scripture. I find myself getting wrapped up in the bustle of everyday life, and I rarely stop to slow down. There are always clothes that need to be washed, a child that must be fed, beds to be made, etc. You get the idea.

Since I've been out of school, I've made it my goal to stop in the mornings when Abby goes down for her nap, to spend some time with the Father. What a difference it makes! I had forgotten how much I love looking into his word and speaking with and listening to Him!

This morning, I was reading in one of my favorite devotional books. Thank you, Meredith for giving me a devotional that cross-referenced this one. That is how I found Streams in the Desert by Mrs. LB Cowman. Anyway, Cowman quotes AB Simpson who says, "Dear friend, God may send you some valuable gifts wrapped in unattractive paper. But do not worry about the wrappings for you can be sure that inside He has hidden treasures of love, kindness and wisdom. If we will simply take what He sends and trust Him for the blessings inside, we will learn the meaning of the secrets of His providence, even in times of darkness." She also references Psalm 25:14 which says, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him."

Isn't this beautiful. For many months I wondered why I had to have such problems with my pregnancy with Abby. I questioned why God would make me have a premature baby who was in the NICU for 10 days when I did everything the "right" way. God has been teaching me not to question His ways because His thoughts are not my thoughts neither are His ways my ways. He knows. I can take immense comfort in that.

Please take some time to meditate on the God of the universe today. Know that He loves you greatly.

My inspiration

I've been thinking about it, and I thought I should probably put a post on here explaining where the title of my blog came from.

Many of you know that I adore Emily Dickinson. She is one of my most favorite poets. As a matter of fact, I wrote my Master's Thesis about her life and her poetry. One of her poems that really speaks to me is the one that this blog is titled after. I've put it at the bottom of this post.

I love the idea that God creates life and that His plan is perfect. That gives me hope. Although we aren't certain that Dickinson was a Christian, it is obvious that she contemplated religion and God often.

I'm currently doing a Bible study with my SS class titled When Worldviews Collide by Ergun Caner. It is about the different ways that people look at the world. More on that study in a later post.

I'm saddened for Dickinson because I'm not certain she ever found the grace or peace that Christ offers, but her poetry is beautiful and it causes me to stop and think about my life. Maybe it will do the same for you.

It's easy to invent a Life —
God does it — every Day —
Creation — but the Gambol
Of His Authority —

It's easy to efface it —
The thrifty Deity
Could scarce afford Eternity
To Spontaneity —

The Perished Patterns murmur —
But His Perturbless Plan
Proceed — inserting Here — a Sun —
There — leaving out a Man —