Monday, February 25, 2008

Roamin' thru Romans

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

When I stepped outside this morning, the three quarter moon was mistily shining and stars were twinkling through the mist. No fog here, but hanging overhead. But the weather is warm, and now the sky is clear. God is good!

As I entered the park yesterday, a gator was lounging on the far bank of the canal, taking it easy and drying off, although there was no sun. I took a short walk, but due to the number of people on the boardwalk, pushing strollers, running children and crowds, I didn't go far. I prefer few or no people when I walk, so I can listen to the sounds and be with my thoughts. It turned out to be a very warm day!

From the book Quiet Moments with God:

The Value of Disaster

For ten years, Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances and, in December 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing compounds, celluloid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire departments came from eight surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed.

While the damage exceeded $2 million, the concrete building, thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of that amount, The inventor's twenty four year old son, Charles, searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind.

"My heart ached for him," said Charles. "He was sixty-seven-no longer a young man-and everything was going up in flames.

"When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?"

When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."

The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."

Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.

With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh - no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys lie ahead.

Romans 5:3
"We glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance."

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts a shadow of our burden behind us.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis