Sparrows

There is just something about fall that makes all things reminiscent. I both love and hate the memories the cooler days conjure up. Sometimes I wish I could organize those memories into tidy little packages and store them up for when I want to revisit them, or for when I’m ready to face them. Autumn always makes me feel so wishful, perhaps even more so this year.

College life has returned full-swing and with all it's normal frustrations, things to learn, and experiences. I've been struggling for the past few weeks to summon up something to share here for I truly loathe to write about just every day happenings. The day-in and day-out comings and goings of my life sometimes feel so insignificant and there seems no sense in sharing such boring things. I came to the realization that despite my apathy towards the "normal", God cares about those "small" or "insignificant" things more than we can ever realize.

Those whispered words of thanks to the Heavenly Father, the songs that we hum while carrying out our tasks, the thoughts we think towards those who surround us...all of those matter greatly to Him! I do so adore the passage: "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

If my God cares about the insignificant little birds, how much more does He think on the quiet meditations of His childrens' hearts? With that in mind, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

Wonderful Words

"Remember the Word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word hath quickened me." - Ps.119:49,50

May I like David continuously cling to the Word as my source of hope, comfort, and rejuvenation! Sometimes during the course of the day, as things begin to pile up and threaten to overwhelm, the urge to hide out and smuggle my Bible and a notebook away into some corner consistently eats away at me. It is something unexplainable, it is a sort of craving that I hope never to lose again. Rather than surround with other advices, may I always retreat to the silken pages of the Scriptures and soak in those God-breathed Words. Often it is necessary to be “quickened” or made alive again, like the recharging of a battery, by truths my Lord has treasured up for me.

The goal is to leave the worries and frustrations of the day and their chaotic mess at the door of the closet of prayer. The pouring out of an overwhelmed heart and in turn, the refilling of it with the Words of an ever-compassionate Savior, neatly ties those troubles I left behind into a tidy bundle. The stresses of before become wrapped together with the certainty of "He giveth more grace" and tied off with the promise of "But God is faithful" so that I may be able to bear their load through Him.

Isn't that just the sweetest thing to think on? If we place our burden within His omnipotence, if we allow the concerns of this world to become dim in the light of His Word, we can repeat as the prophet Jeremiah, “Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name!”

♥ Beth

On My Side

"If it has not been the LORD who was on our side..."

Where would I be without an ever-faithful God? Every inch of the life I've always known, so filled with His goodness, His protection, comfort, and guidance, would be very, very different. At times, the thought of how completely and totally undeserving I am is overwhelming. After recently returning from a trip to Honduras and seeing the hardship, heart-ache, and joy in their lives, I am completely humbled. The blessings of God are so prevalent in my life and yet I turn my sights inward and focus on what I do not possess or who I want to be. Selfishness is the only word to describe it.

Without the Lord, I would be nothing! My cry would be as Israel's, "The waters overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul!" Desolation would be my habitation. My home would be nestled in the pits of sorrow, despair, and wickedness. So oblivious I am to this at times! So easy it is to forget how far the Lord has brought me and how much further He alone is capable of taking me. To think what if He did not love me as He does, if He did not take my hand to prevent a stumble or stand in between me and the enemy?

Yet, God, who in the provision of His love, calls out, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee...For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil." Even before the foundations of the world God was piecing together the threads of my life, my plan, my ability to serve Him. His purpose and His goal is never to see us in a dark place. Every thought the Saviour has towards me is there to give an "expected end." In response to such overwhelming grace and love, I can only give back a heart that is willing to let Him have His way. He is on my side, so I will not fear!

God is so faithful to continuously remind, "Beth, remember that My way is perfect. Just be willing and I will show you the path of life and the fulness of joy!" 

May I again fall on knees scuffed from my own feeble attempts and consistently cry out to Him with a "Teach me to do Thy will! For Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good! Bring my soul out of trouble...for I am Thy servant." - Psalm 143

♥ Beth