Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Peace like a River

Throughout my life, since I was very young, I have been an avid reader.
I have always preferred books to television and have spent most of my life
reading well into the night.
The summer I turned ten my grandmother started my collection of
Little House on the Prairie books by giving me the first one
in paperback for my birthday that June.
By that Christmas I asked my parents for my first Bible.
I still have that precious gift.
A small black Bible with a zipper that closes it up
all the way around with a cross dangling from it.
Of course through the years I've had many other Bibles.
And I have read countless books of every kind.
There is something about words on paper that draw me in.
Words of long ago...
Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson, Austen, Shakespeare,
Corrie ten Boom, Oswald Chambers,
well the list could go on and on.
And too many of today's authors to even count.
But my true peace and solace is found in God's Word.
I never tire of reading it. It is fresh and new every time.
Just like God's mercies are new every morning.
Although we face new challenges with each season of our lives,
and sometimes with every new day,
we truly can find peace in God.
This world is not always kind but there are still kind people in it if we focus in.
I'm not saying that life is typically easy, no not that.
But precious.
Oh yes, it is always very precious.
There are still so many moments of beauty all around us.
Though I have a sense of holding my breath
as I wait with my sister for her diagnosis,
I stop in wonder and my breath is taken away as I see this beautiful bumblebee
going about the business of the life God created him for,
without a care in the world.
And just like that, I am caught up in the stillness of the moment.
I see him working and as I step closer I can hear him buzzing.
I remember that we are all only here for a short while really
and I am reminded once again
that we are here to love one another first and foremost,
no matter what is going on in the world.
We are meant to be building one another up in all things at all times.
And we should never, ever lose hope.
I know from personal experience that God is still in the business of miracles.
Nearly five years ago he healed my husband from pancreatic cancer.
God can do anything at any time.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything in prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence
and anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
Philippians 4:4-8

14 comments:

  1. Prayers for your sweet sister. I've seen Gods goodness and mercy working even through my Dads cancer journey. It is in these circumstances that it is more evident. Praying with you.
    xx Beca

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    1. Thank you so much Sweet Beca. I am praying daily for your dear father as well ... And you too. I pray also for your precious mother. God is good my friend.
      Much love to you and yours,
      Danette

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  2. Lovely post, Danette. It's easy to dwell on all that's wrong in the world, but that doesn't do us any good. The Word of God is a healing balm. And I whole-heartedly agree that reading is a more peaceful pursuit. We gave up television about fifteen years ago and have not missed it one time. :)
    Happy day to you!

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    1. Thank you Toni. It's far too easy and not only does it not do us any good, it often does us harm. It causes anxiety and depression in so many people. If I never tuned into television one more time I wouldn't even think about it, let alone miss it. Good for you!
      I have never touched it when I'm home alone. Not even when my husband has been gone on fishing or hunting trips for days or a whole week. It never occurs to me to turn it on. When my hands are busy with housework or knitting I listen to an audiobook.
      Happy week to you!
      Danette

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  3. Your pictures are beautiful. I have loved to read all my life, too, and have good memories of walking to the library to check out the Little House books over and over again. I am fine without TV, but my husband likes watching the news. Sometimes it gets all too much, and I have to put in my earplugs and not listen!! That passage from Philippians is one of my favorites.

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    1. Thank you Deborah, my new friend! I live walking distance from our local library where my first born daughter is a librarian :-)
      My husband likes the news too and, like you, I have to take it in small doses, leaving the room at times... doing laundry in the basement, etc. It's not that I don't want to stay somewhat informed but I am hypersensitive and will lay awake all night long sometimes in sadness over the state of things. Scott keeps me informed and I turn it into prayer but I don't always need the grisly details. The Philippians passage has always been my very favorite and probably the very first verse I memorized when I was newly saved at the age of 16.
      Many Blessings to you and yours,
      Danette

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  4. Such a great thoughtful post with so much inspiration to live by. Beautiful photo as well.
    Thank you for your sweet visit.
    Mary Alice

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Mary Alice.
      I always enjoy your beautiful blog. I find it very soothing.
      I took these photos in front of my parents home. I couldn't resist the bumblebees.
      God Bless,
      Danette

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  5. Beautifully said my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sister.
    Meredith

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    1. Thank you so much Meredith... it's so very appreciated.
      Danette

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  6. such a wonderful reflection, so full of peace and beauty.. just like you! It is amazing when we stop to consider the intricate details of our world, and the master plan behind them.

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    1. Oh Julie... such a lovely thing for you to say. And yes, our world is so full of intricate details that we so often miss in our going to and fro but the Master of the plan behind them wants us to really SEE.

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  7. Wha a wonderful testimony Danette. Pancreatic cancer is not an easy thing to come back from.

    Cheers
    Fi

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    1. Amen Fi... Most don't beat that one. And of those who do only about 6% make it to the 5 year mark and he will hit that in September. We have a lot to be thankful for. Every single day is a blessing my friend.

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Thank you for taking time to chat with me ~
Your comments make me so Happy!
Have a lovely day.
Danette