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MrVersatile48
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In Darkness
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (NIV) Isaiah 9:2
Once, my children and I were playing a game in which we were to guess if each of us were an animal, which animal would we be?
Everyone agreed that Dad would be a horse. One daughter was definitely a cat and the other was sure she would be an eagle.
"And what animal would I be?", I inquired, hoping for something lovely and majestic.
Without a hesitation, both children looked at me and said simultaneously, "A centipede". A what?! They had both apparently agreed on this answer long ago. When I asked them why they picked me out to be a centipede, they said, "Because you're always trying to do lots of things at once and you need lots of hands."
Well, that's me in a nutshell.
I like to think of myself as master of my own fate, accomplished, successfully juggling many balls with skill and aplomb. I don't like the world to see how often I drop the balls. I like to present myself as confident and together.
So often, though, life has other plans and my competence fails, my strength leaves and I am left turning to the only One who can help me.
I used to hate the hard times, the valleys, the dark nights of the soul. I loved the light, the mountain-tops, the joy of salvation. I realize now, though, that when I'm walking in good times, I often rely so much on my own strength and competence. Small miracles and blessings sometimes go unnoticed in the brightness of the light.
When things are tough, I find myself relying totally on God for help. I cry out for a closeness to Him which I only seem to achieve through difficulty. I am afterward, so grateful for the smallest kindnesses and dimmest rays of light.
I learn to hope for the unseen, to trust in the only thing I can really trust, to become closer to the Lord I need so much. When I finally emerge once again from the valley, I am so thankful for His grace and mercy, and I walk with renewed joy. Without the darkness, I would never understand the light.
Written by Gail Rodgers used with permission
Forward this devotion to a friend
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (NIV) Isaiah 9:2
Once, my children and I were playing a game in which we were to guess if each of us were an animal, which animal would we be?
Everyone agreed that Dad would be a horse. One daughter was definitely a cat and the other was sure she would be an eagle.
"And what animal would I be?", I inquired, hoping for something lovely and majestic.
Without a hesitation, both children looked at me and said simultaneously, "A centipede". A what?! They had both apparently agreed on this answer long ago. When I asked them why they picked me out to be a centipede, they said, "Because you're always trying to do lots of things at once and you need lots of hands."
Well, that's me in a nutshell.
I like to think of myself as master of my own fate, accomplished, successfully juggling many balls with skill and aplomb. I don't like the world to see how often I drop the balls. I like to present myself as confident and together.
So often, though, life has other plans and my competence fails, my strength leaves and I am left turning to the only One who can help me.
I used to hate the hard times, the valleys, the dark nights of the soul. I loved the light, the mountain-tops, the joy of salvation. I realize now, though, that when I'm walking in good times, I often rely so much on my own strength and competence. Small miracles and blessings sometimes go unnoticed in the brightness of the light.
When things are tough, I find myself relying totally on God for help. I cry out for a closeness to Him which I only seem to achieve through difficulty. I am afterward, so grateful for the smallest kindnesses and dimmest rays of light.
I learn to hope for the unseen, to trust in the only thing I can really trust, to become closer to the Lord I need so much. When I finally emerge once again from the valley, I am so thankful for His grace and mercy, and I walk with renewed joy. Without the darkness, I would never understand the light.
Written by Gail Rodgers used with permission
Forward this devotion to a friend