Reflections

The beginning of a new year causes me to reflect on the past year and also look forward to what lies ahead. I am always amazed at how much can happen and how different things can be within the course of a year. This past year was no exception. If someone had told me all that would happen in our lives this past year I probably wouldn't have believed them and/or would have felt very overwhelmed and anxious. However, The Lord in His kindness doesn't give us more than we can handle and when it feels that way at times, He carries us through with His grace. As I reflect on this past year I am once again reminded of the Lord's faithfulness in my life even when I am unfaithful. I am also reminded that this life is not about my happiness or my expectations but on what brings glory to Christ. He really does have my good and His glory in mind and the two cannot be separated. 

The older I become I also am reminded of how fast time seems to go by. As I celebrated Jude's first birthday this week it felt like just yesterday that I was holding him in my arms for the first time. It's amazing to me how much he too has changed in just one year. And as we will celebrate Shepard's birthday next week it is even crazier for me to believe that he will turn eight! These past eight years have seemed like a blink. It all makes me nostalgic as I think of the past and the future. It makes me ask myself lots of questions but most importantly I wonder how well am I a reflection of Christ in my life. This life here on earth is but a speck of sand in light of eternity and our time here will always be uncertain. I only have one chance to raise my children, one chance to be Cooper's wife, one chance to be someone's friend, sister, and daughter. I know that I will make mistakes and have to seek forgiveness over and over but I pray that I would seek Christ more than all and that my life would be a testimony of Christ living in me...a sinner in need of His grace. 

As I look back over this past year I can say, "The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad". (Psalm 126:3) 

I love what Proverbs 3:1-6 says as I look to the future:

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

I so badly want to use this year in such a way that I use every moment, bringing glory to God in each day given to me. 

To that end, here is a prayer I am praying. It is drawn from The Valley of Vision.

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear by my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.

May you know God's richest blessings this year!

Love,  

Brooke

He Is Faithful

For those of us who have had the privilege of growing up in the church, the accounts of people like Noah, Esther, David, Ruth,and Moses are well-known and can be easily recited.  I can vividly remember these stories being told and retold in Sunday School classes as a young child with flannelgraph boards and posters depicting the events of the Old and New Testaments. While I am grateful that I have known these stories most of my life, I must admit that there is the temptation to forget how wonderful they truly are…to miss the awesome, majestic power, character, and holiness of God in every page and in every story.  

I’ve been reminded of this as I have been reading through and studying the book of Genesis.  The most recent account that has challenged my heart is that of Abraham being commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac in Genesis 22.  

We know the story.  Abraham and Sarah are promised a child and heir by God.  After 25 years of waiting and barrenness, the Lord fulfills His promise through the birth of Isaac.  Fast forward and we find God testing Abraham by requiring of him a very costly sacrifice — his beloved son.  

This command of God is sort of shocking to my human, finite mind.  My fleshly reaction is to think, “That doesn’t seem fair!  Isaac is his son.  God promised!” But what is even more surprising to me is Abraham’s reaction:

“So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.’ And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’Abraham said, ‘God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.’ So they went both of them together.  (Genesis 22:3-8)

Say, WHAT?!?!? I’m already reeling from God’s instructions to sacrifice Isaac, and then instead of getting upset or freaking out (like me), Abraham immediately obeys.  No questions.  No objections.  No wallowing or feeling sorry for himself.  Just perfect obedience.  

I have to say that I have been very rebuked by the example of Abraham.  So often I feel that the things God has blessed me with are mine…that ownership has been transferred to me.  Additionally, I feel cheated when God withholds something from me that I really want, as if I am being deprived of something that is owed to me.  

Abraham’s response to God’s command to give up that which was dearest to him gives me hope as well as cause to evaluate where my heart truly lies.  Abraham places his trust in the promises of God.  He doesn’t know how God will remain true to His promises, but He does know that God is faithful and that whatever happens, He will be true to His word.  God’s faithfulness is Abraham’s focus, not Isaac.  

How can I pursue obedience and trust in the Lord no matter what happens?  By fixing my gaze on the Lord and His faithfulness — not my circumstances, not my unmet desires, not my own selfish heart.  Abraham’s words ring in my heart and mind, “God will provide!”  It may not be the thing or the way I would choose, but God will provide. He is faithful to His promises. 

I’m especially grateful that the Lord is faithful to work in me, refine me, and teach me.  I want to be a woman of God, who when faced with difficulty, pain, or sorrow, responds in perfect obedience. No questions.  No objections.  No wallowing or feeling sorry for myself.  Just perfect obedience.  Not because I understand what God is doing or the plans He has for me.  But because I’m rooted in the faithfulness of the Lord.  

A favorite quote of mine says, “A great many things in God’s divine providences do not look like goodness to the eye . . . But faith sits down before mysteries such as these, and says,  ‘The Lord is good, therefore all that He does must be good, no matter how it looks. I can wait for explanations.’” (H.W. Smith) 

I may never have questions answered or the mysteries of the difficulties I face explained to me this side of heaven, and that is okay.  More than okay . . . it is as it should be. My only task is to trust and obey.  Please pray for me as I seek to do that each day by His strength alone.  

God bless,

Elisabeth Smith