fresh flowers for March 11

Lessons Learned on a Day of Rest
copyright 2006, lani wiens
a fresh flowers original

I have been looking forward to this last Friday for a number of weeks. Ever since my dear friend suggested it and planned the date. She offered to take all five of my children for the entire day. What a gift. We've had a difficult week and I was drained of all energy, this gift couldn't have come at a better time. Of course, contemplating what to do with oneself when faced with precious, empty hours is the first order of business. Even in this she guided me and said, "Just DO nothing." That is a hard concept for me to wrap my brain around, I am a DOER.

One of the first things I did (after posting on my blog) was to sit on my couch with a nice cup of hot tea and pick up my journal and Bible. I have very little opportunity to soak and write so this was a real treat. Someone had opened my Bible up to Romans 5, I thought it odd because that was not where I have been reading lately and I couldn't remember having looked anything up there - that doesn't mean much since I can barely remember my own name lately! I'd like to share with you what I learned...

Romans 5 (first few verses)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God thorugh our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us."

excerpt from the corresponding devotional by Gladys M. Hunt in the Women's Devotional Bible
(parantheses mine)

"Our resources are inexhaustible...Our trouble begins when we forget these great realities (namely that we have access and God's supply is limitless) and concentrate on our inadequacies our fears and all the other manifestations of our smallness."

That's where I was folks, concentrating on my inadequacies as a mom, my fears over what might be. Worrying over things I have little control over. I had completely forgotten who I am in Christ - a daughter of the king. He has already given me (and you) all that we need and there is no concern of running short. Therefore I can say with confidence that I have (make your own list here):
-all I need to deal with my very stubborn and explosive son
-all I need to train my children in holiness and Godly living
- all I need to love my husband and be his helpmeet and soulmate
- all I need to be a good friend
- all I need to carry out the work of the kingdom assigned to me
- all I need to persevere to the end of this pregnancy and beyond
- all I need to get the most out of this day
- all I need to pay the bills and make it through to the end of this house deal

While I was looking for another verse God brought my eyes to these wonderful apostolic words:

Colossians 3:15 "...let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."
Colossians 3:16 "...let the word of God dwell in you richly..."
Philippians 1:6 "...being confident of this - He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..."
Ephesians 4 "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to KNOW this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Needless to say I was greatly encouraged to keep bearing the load that the Lord has given me to bear, it is NOT to hard for me unless I take on something that isn't mine to take. The rest of the day was spent, well, resting. Napping, reading, having a quiet lunch and tea with my parents. I didn't DO anything...oops, I did do something. I wrote a poem to express my heart after this wonderful ministry from the Lord.

untitled (for now)
2006, lani wiens

Forgive me forgetting that in You I have all things
Access to the throne of grace, the privelege of kings
YOur resources are limitless, your love it knows no bounds
And through the life of Christ Your Son, these riches all are mine.

But I live poor
just scraping by
picking up the crumbs
forgetting who I am and dwelling in the dumps


Today you lift my head up and speak into my heart
A daughter of the KING I am, the one who dwells on high
Up from the trash heap I arise and fling aside my rags
Washed clean in mercy
Clothed in grace
His love the crowning touch

"All you need, you have, " says He,
"All you need and more. Available, just ask of me
the treasure house is full. These present trials, rejoice in them,
the crown upon your head
will sparkle, shine and dazzle me as your character is forged through pain.
Hope will not be disappointed as you put your hope in ME
My glory will not fade away
My glory I give to thee."