While circumstances smile I forget that it is the pearls of God's wisdom and truth that are my treasures. When the tide turns and the waters become murky I seek out the depths of clarity found in God's Word and I discover a richness beyond measure.The burden of suffering seems a tombstone
hung about our necks,
while in reality
it is only the weight which is necessary
to keep down the diver
while he is hunting for pearls.
~ Richter
The knowledge of His Sovereignty and His Goodness revealed in His Word sustain me when all earthly supports fail.
A blessed Lord's Day to all...rest in Him.
3 comments:
OH, thank you for such sweet reminders of God's mercy...
Looking forward to your posts
For those that don't know who "Cool Dat" is, she moved away from our Branch family and now lives in the beautiful state of Tennessee.
This comment is in response to something that Jalamadreamer posted a while back. She said:
a lot of Christians expect themselves and other people to get over things really fast. Forgive and forget, I guess. I think that God made us with a capacity for sadness, pain, etc. We are not to be ruled by these things, but I do think they are part of who we are and part of a journey toward forgiveness, repentance AND new joy. In my opinion, if a person is deeply wounded, this journey can take a little while. People seem to sometimes be upset with themselves when they are in this state of mind. I am concerned when someone says they can't or won't forgive or they think that God can't bring restoration in any manner. When someone wants to forgive, to lay down a burden, as you have said, then they are heading in the right direction. Time, Scripture reading, good counsel and much prayer are in order, as you know. Like a broken bone takes time to heal, our other hurts can take time, too, no?
Jalama...I've had some time to reflect here on this grey, cloudy, promise-of-snow tomorrow Lord's Day and I am coming to a better appreciation of things that you have been sharing with me in our phone calls (all too few, but cherished nonetheless). About the hope of reconciliation, repentance, forgiveness...
I think that perhaps the reason that I am so cautious or skeptical about seeing restoration of the relationship in question is that while there is a claim of repentance, I don't see the fruits of the same. Since this pattern has repeated itself over and over I am finding it more difficult, if not impossible, to believe that the words "I'm sorry" hold any genuine meaning.
This brings up another question that I've been wrestling with. Does forgiveness hinge upon repentance? I don't believe that it does. I believe that renewed trust, however, definately depends upon sincere repentance.
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom" ~ Psalm 90:12.
I like that quote. Thanks! What you asked about in the comment is difficult. Let's talk about it more. However, my belief is that anything can be restored. God can make anything beautiful. Sometimes things will not be restored, my point was just that God sometimes fixes things that seem unfixable.
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