Slowly Learning Lessons

Anne Shirley said "it was a long lesson to learn". Oh how true, oh how slowly by slowly we grasp important Truths.

In our first ministry there was a sainted elderly lady, adored and honored by all. Yet frankly, I found her annoying. Too big a coward to admit such heresy aloud, this guilty secret was kept locked in my heart.

The problem was, she, elderly and infirm would flutter and chirp bird-like "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." This was her common response to nearly every question posed. Well of course. Everyone knows the Lord made this day, whatever day it may be.

AND THEN. After a life long fretting pattern, a practiced 'what-if' song, and borrowing trouble from the future, my Lord dropped into my life the reality of those words scribed, then chirped long ago. It came as a swift, sharp, shock, a sit-up-and-take-notice event.

From the bosom of our family, our Lord in His wisdom - and timing - took one much loved. That was (and is) agony enough. But it was in the dying process that the life lesson was framed. There was the day by day, moment by moment grief of the loving wife, a daughter. She ministered with grace, with courage and mercy. Valiantly bathing each step of her pilgrimage with tears. It was in the knowing that a fit, athletic body was being worn away by disease; that a vital ministry was being cut short. It was standing by the grave in the rain, with honor guard posted, surrounded by those most dear singing "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow".

Finally, the light began to dawn. Each day truly is "This Day". This Day is the only day of certainty. This is the day to accept, to delight in, to accomplish the task at hand. The clarity comes when remembering that the first day created was looked upon as being very good. That the God who made that day as well as this is still present with us. The print of His finger is upon each dawn. Some how any fear is lessened, perhaps even put to rest when recalling this.

He "loads us with benefits daily" says the Psalmist. Or as in another translation : "Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God who is our Salvation! - Selah/pause and calmly think of that"'.

That's our Reality. This is The Day. So, Dear Reader, let us accept the gift of This Day. Let us embrace what ever fills This Day and truly rejoice in it knowing that the joy of the Lord is indeed our strength.

(There it is. I am now the old lady chirping!)