– Secret Place Insights –
Dear One, I read the following poem on Facebook, and it gave me so much to consider that I thought that you might enjoy it as well. In trying to find out who wrote it, Claudia Minden Weisz, I noticed that a word in the first line of her poem is actually ‘pride,’ rather than ‘habit.’ Either gives the reader something important to consider.
Following each entry, I had thoughts of my own that I was planning to share, but I decided that Weisz’s words are best considered without a third party. Allowing God to carefully guide us through each subject should be far more beneficial. So, let’s read the poem carefully line-by-line, prayerfully asking God to give us a Holy Spirit fullness of understanding. If you care to discuss your thoughts with me, please use the private Contact found on the right of the Home page.
God Said No
1. Habit (Pride)
I asked God to take away my habit (pride). God said, No. It is not for Me to take away, but for you to give it up.
2. Miracle Healing
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
3. Patience
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.
4. Happiness
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.
5. Pain
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
6. Growing Spirit
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
7. Possessions
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
8. Love
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said… Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
When I came to number 8, the subject of love, I remembered how God had helped me years ago. I was teaching an adult-discipleship, training class, and one of the students was unusually unpleasant. I not only did not love her, I did not like her. So, I began praying that I could not only like, but love her. The very next week, when the class met, God had changed my heart. It was then that I could genuinely share the Truths of God’s Love with her. If we confess our cold hearts, repent of them, and sincerely ask God, then out of His boundless love, He will give us an abundance of love to share with others.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” Colossians 3:23
Blessings for another week,
Susanne
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