...the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do.
- 1 Chronicles 12:32
Love touches my life in many unexpected ways.
These past days, loved ones from across the seas have been used by my heavenly Father to lift up my heart.
For my birthday this year, my only sister who lives in America sent me two books by mail. The books arrived a few days ago.
Thank you, my dearest sis!
Yesterday, I went to our ministry office for our weekly worship and intercession time. Just as I was leaving, Buddy handed me a postal notice indicating that there was another parcel for me waiting at the post office.
A parcel with three books and two music CDs were sent by my blog friend Linda of Absolute Grace.
Thank you, dear Linda!
"The sacred is in one's daily life...in friends, family,
neighbors...
in one's own backyard."
I so needed these kind acts of encouragement. There are many things changing in my life. I really sense that God is leading me into transition points.
Transition is needed in our lives... it is what I call a re-positioning... and I have understood in times past that when God desires to propel us into a new season, transition is crucial.
This is why the book my sister sent is timely, I am once again asking God to pour into me the Issachar anointing. I so want to be as a son of Issachar for this fork in the road I am on, that like the sons of Issachar mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:32, I may understand the times and know what I should do.
In one of the CDs that Linda made for me was a song by Philips, Craig and Dean entitled, Blessing in the Thorn.
Below are the lyrics of the song which I copied from Linda's blog.
May God be truly glorified by my obedient response to life's circumstances.
Life is a training ground, a crucible for the refining of gold, the olive press for the oil to flow.
May this song truly encourage our hearts today.
Blessing in the Thorn
I read about a man of God
Who gloried in his weakness
And I wish that I could be
More like Him and less like me
Am I to blame for what I’m not
Or is pain the way God teaches me to grow
I need to know
When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again
I want to feel His arms around me
In the middle of my raging storm
So that I can see the blessing in the thorn
I’ve heard it said the strength of Christ
Is perfect in my weakness
And the more that I go through
The more I prove the promise true
His love will go to any length
And reaches even now to where I am
But tell me once again
When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again
I want to feel His arms around me
In the middle of my raging storm
So that I can see the blessing in the thorn
Lord, I have to ask You
On the cross You suffered through
Was there a time You ever doubted
What You already knew?
When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again
I want to feel His arms around me
In the middle of my raging storm
So that I can see the blessing in the thorn
I want to see the blessing in the thorn.
Unpublished responses to this post:
Great post Lidj, I too want to see the blessings in the storm.
God bless,
Ken
Posted by Ken on May 12, 2011 11:57 AM
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Hi Lidj -
This piece moved upon my spirit. Thank you, Lidj.
Especially, I love this that you expressed, "Life is a training ground, a crucible for the refining of gold, the olive press for the oil to flow."
And the words to the song are so comforting.
GOD WINS and so do His people!
Posted by lioneagle on May 12, 2011 6:12 PM
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Dear Lidj,
I see I have stopped with the words lioneagle also found moving, "Life is a training ground".
We talked about this theme, five ladies in our best sixties, on a hike this Tuesday.
How much God still needs for us to change and develope.
Sometimes we feel tired, we've been on the road for so long, and yet have reached so short.
We came to the same conclusion you have done;
we are still pupils, being molded to one day become transformed.
We felt we were allowed to say that sometimes the uphill going feels steep and exhausting.
It's then we have experienced that He himself comes down to carry us on his wings.
Posted by felisol on May 12, 2011 7:37 PM
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Lidj,
Your heart writing goes along with the chapter I just finished in Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Our small group study is reading this book together and conversing.
Hugs to you-
Yolanda
Posted by Yolanda on May 12, 2011 7:38 PM
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Beautiful, Lidj. Most of the faith-based books I have read have been helpful in making me think about His purposes in the right way. I admire your focus on Him. Blessings.
Posted by Clint on May 12, 2011 7:46 PM
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Hi sister Lidj! You know how much this post will bless me and is very timely for me as I also wait for His leading. Feet...That's what the Lord showed me as I took this off from work...A needed daily cleansing of our "feet" by our Savior as we walk this faith journey...I know that our trials are also "blessings" because He gave so much more on the cross.
I enjoyed the song you shared. And I always want to thank you for always "giving" your heart to me by praying for me, and continuously encouraging me at this battle I'm on. God bless you sister Lidj and may you remain strong in the Lord's mighty power. Love you in Christ.
Posted by RCUBEs on May 12, 2011 9:28 PM
15 comments:
Great post Lidj, I too want to see the blessings in the storm.
God bless,
Ken
Hi Lidj -
This piece moved upon my spirit. Thank you, Lidj.
Especially, I love this that you expressed, "Life is a training ground, a crucible for the refining of gold, the olive press for the oil to flow."
And the words to the song are so comforting.
GOD WINS and so do His people!
Lidj,
Your heart writing goes along with the chapter I just finished in Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Our small group study is reading this book together and conversing.
Hugs to you-
Yolanda
Dear Lidj,
I see I have stopped with the words lioneagle also found moving, "
Life is a training ground".
We talked about this theme, five ladies in our best sixties, on a hike this Tuesday.
How much God still needs for us to change and develope.
Sometimes we feel tired, we've been on the road for so long, and yet have reached so short.
We came to the same conclusion you have done;
we are still pupils, being molded to one day become transformed.
We felt we were allowed to say that sometimes the uphill going feels steep and exhausting.
It's then we have experienced that He himself comes down to carry us on his wings.
Beautiful, Lidj. Most of the faith-based books I have read have been helpful in making me think about His purposes in the right way. I admire your focus on Him. Blessings.
Hi sister Lidj! You know how much this post will bless me and is very timely for me as I also wait for His leading. Feet...That's what the Lord showed me as I took this off from work...A needed daily cleansing of our "feet" by our Savior as we walk this faith journey...I know that our trials are also "blessings" because He gave so much more on the cross.
I enjoyed the song you shared. And I always want to thank you for always "giving" your heart to me by praying for me, and continuously encouraging me at this battle I'm on. God bless you sister Lidj and may you remain strong in the Lord's mighty power. Love you in Christ.
Transition is hard, and I'm glad to hear of the blessings you have received in the middle of it.
The song in beautiful.
Dear Lidj,
Isn't the Lord's timing amazing?! It seems so long ago that I mailed the package--but the Lord is never early or late!
Also, due to preparing and travelling to Canada, it's been weeks since I've written anything new on my blog or visited other blogs..yet today, the Lord brought me here to see your post!
Amazed by His attention to detail and His intimate concern in our lives!
Love you dear sister, and praying the music and books minister to you during this transition time. Going through such a time myself, so we can pray for each other.
Love, Linda
Happy Birthday Lidj! Wishing you a year full of blessings and joy - and revelation!
Transition is such a time of using that "patience" we've been building (not one of my greatest strengths) - it is a waiting time when I want to know the end of the mystery now!
The line from the song, "and the more that I go through the more I prove the promise true" - that is what our life journey is truly about isn't it - to grow to love Him, to believe with all our hearts and KNOW HE is our great champion, our true Knight in Shining Armor.
When I visit, I know I will always be fed choice meats that fill my soul! Thank you!
Hi Lidj...I love what you said that "Love touches my life in many unexpected ways." It's so true and I'm glad you too experience this. Transisitons....repositioning.....I like how you said this...and me too...I'm feeling it now...new people...new friendships....new goals....Hugs to you lidj...stay strong and safe in Him always.
How wonderful is the Lord to give us friends (even far-away ones) in our time of need. I've never heard that song, but asking when we'll see the blessing in the thorn--wow, that's powerful. May our mighty God continually comfort you as you transition. I'm wondering, though, if all of life is just a transition--from here to beyond. If so, we won't stop till we're there with Him!
HI Lidj!!! We are finally online here at home. My location comes up Koriyama, Fukushima on Feedjit though...we are far from Fukushima! I can SO relate to this post. Just this morning my husband commented on how he felt like we had our "reset" button pushed....even he feels all the changes in our lives now. I'm finding that the best way to handle everything at the moment is not to have any expectations because then I'll get frustrated (when my expectations are not met). I'm taking a big breath, stepping back and constantly asking the Lord to help me look at each situation with fresh eyes and an open heart AND (most importantly) just exactly how He needs me to respond. Trust me when I say that BOTH my patience and my husband's patience have been sorely tried already! It has made our marriage stronger though and yes, we do love it here...just that everything is so new- our lives have been "reset" and we feel like children learning everything new again. Anyhow, I've really missed you. I was never so thankful to have internet again. I realized what a huge blessing it is and I won't take it for granted again!
Wow, you're going to be plenty busy with all those books to read! We saw Phillips Craig and Dean in concert last year - it was so awesome.
Happy Birthday, my dear sister in Christ. I can't wait to see what God has waiting for you down the road...
You have a lot of "company" in training, Lidj. I'm right here WITH you.
I'm jotting down a couple of those titles to request/find at the library...(a few I've already read.)
May you experience God's abundant peace and grace as each day unfolds ahead of you.
Lidj,
This totally encouraged me today. There have been some storms lately, and I'm feeling a little wave-tossed and wind-blown. It was so good to come here and let my spirit rest for a little bit. I really liked the lyrics to the song that you posted.
When does the thorn become a blessing?
Perhaps not in this life - but we can rest assured that the rose that will bloom in eternity will indeed be worth all the pain.
GOD BLESS!
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