Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Whose Strength?

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the rainy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, I was thankful for the rain yesterday, which we needed, but the Lord has brought it again today, and I have to go out to the store for a little more shopping for thanksgiving dinner, I hope I can be thankful for rain then! I took the trash can down to the curb this morning for pickup today rather than tomorrow. Thankfully, the rain had paused long enough for me to do that!

We did not go out all day yesterday...just stayed off the roads, reading and doing chores around the house. But I saw a tiny wren hopping about on the grass-the first one I have seen this winter! They have brown wings and a lighter tan body, and are very hard to see on the ground, but really cute! God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:

When I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

In the springtime it's fun to watch tiny baby birds with downy crowns begin to find their way around. They make their way to the edge of their nest and take a peek over to view the very large, unexplored world around them.

At first they may look into the abyss and then shrink back to the familiar security of their nest. Perhaps they imagine the strength of their own untried wings is all that will save them from a fatal fall--and they know how weak and unproven those little wings are! Yet, when they are either pushed out of the nest or gather courage to launch oiut on their own to try that first flight, they find the air supports them when they spread their wings.

How often do we allow unfamiliar situations and circumstances to loom large and threatening in our imaginations? Sometimes when we look at circumstances that lie outside our familiar "nest" we may feel just like a baby bird. We take a look at our own weakness, and we may want to turn around and head back to safety.

In times of crisis--either real or imagined--what is it that God has called us to do? He may be trying to push us out of our nest and "stretch our wings," so we can grow in our faith.

When Peter saw the Lord Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee, he cried out, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus replied, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. It was when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind, that he became frightened and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me!" And, of course Jesus did! (Matthew 14:27-31.)

When you look to your resources, you may get a "sinking" feeling. This morning, look to Jesus and His resources. Then you will have courage to venture into unknown territory!

Let us not pray for lighter burdens,
but for stronger backs.
-Amish saying

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

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis