I received a letter today from Women of the Harvest - also called Women of Compassion - depending on what country is being visited. They still need massage therapists for the retreat in Goa, India this October and also asked if I would be interested in serving with the team that goes to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in March. Why, oh why, can't I be self-employed so I had the freedom to go to every retreat, every year?
Last night I completely took apart the nightstand I built the evening before. This morning, I started over. I finished building two of them before I had to work. Later, I will sand the edges, whitewash the boards and add a layer of finishing gloss.
Today we had rain off and on. When I ran to the store it was coming down pretty hard. I got soaked. I don't know why, but it reminded me of my summers on the Vineyard when I'd sit out on the deck in the middle of a big nor'easter. The rain would be coming down, the wind blowing, the sea-grass whipping around, sand would get in my eyes and I would watch the anchored boats bobbing wildly up and down in the crashing waves of the ocean. I would think how glad I was to be sitting safely on shore and feeling sorry for some of the crew that were left on the big yachts. It had to be scary. It was scary where I was and my feet were firmly planted on the ground. There is something big and awesome and breathtaking and powerful about storms. As long as I know I'm safe, I don't mind riding them out and taking everything in. God displays a side of Himself in the strong winds, the driving rain, the white-capped waves. It is breath-taking to witness. Lots of times during those East Coast summer storms, I would sing at the top of my lungs because the wind was so loud no one could hear me. I loved to sing "How Great Thou Art," but one particular night when I watched a boat moored out in the harbor - the only thing I could really see was the light from its cabin - I thought of the song, "We Have An Anchor." The little light was shining through a window, the boat was bouncing up and down and looked like it would flip over at any time. The next morning when I walked out with my hot chocolate, the storm had subsided and the small boat was still there, floating placidly in the water.
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand,
For 'tis well secured by the Savior's hand;
And the cables, passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy that blast, thro' strength divine.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.
~Priscilla Jane Owens
Last night I completely took apart the nightstand I built the evening before. This morning, I started over. I finished building two of them before I had to work. Later, I will sand the edges, whitewash the boards and add a layer of finishing gloss.
Today we had rain off and on. When I ran to the store it was coming down pretty hard. I got soaked. I don't know why, but it reminded me of my summers on the Vineyard when I'd sit out on the deck in the middle of a big nor'easter. The rain would be coming down, the wind blowing, the sea-grass whipping around, sand would get in my eyes and I would watch the anchored boats bobbing wildly up and down in the crashing waves of the ocean. I would think how glad I was to be sitting safely on shore and feeling sorry for some of the crew that were left on the big yachts. It had to be scary. It was scary where I was and my feet were firmly planted on the ground. There is something big and awesome and breathtaking and powerful about storms. As long as I know I'm safe, I don't mind riding them out and taking everything in. God displays a side of Himself in the strong winds, the driving rain, the white-capped waves. It is breath-taking to witness. Lots of times during those East Coast summer storms, I would sing at the top of my lungs because the wind was so loud no one could hear me. I loved to sing "How Great Thou Art," but one particular night when I watched a boat moored out in the harbor - the only thing I could really see was the light from its cabin - I thought of the song, "We Have An Anchor." The little light was shining through a window, the boat was bouncing up and down and looked like it would flip over at any time. The next morning when I walked out with my hot chocolate, the storm had subsided and the small boat was still there, floating placidly in the water.
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand,
For 'tis well secured by the Savior's hand;
And the cables, passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy that blast, thro' strength divine.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.
~Priscilla Jane Owens
I love the second verse, particularly the phrase...and the cables, passed from His heart to mine...it speaks to me deep inside. Sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes I am afraid when I think about the future. Sometimes I wonder who will be there to protect me and keep me safe. Will I always be by myself? Will I be the only one looking out for my welfare? Not really. My safety, my welfare, my life is well-secured by the Savior's hand and I am connected heart to heart with Him by a cable stronger than anything made by man.
Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
~Hebrews 6:18b-19a
No comments:
Post a Comment