Today was the day I finally set aside to repair the chips on her Cabbage Rose dishes. 20 years of chips which I made on them! As it turns out there were not as many chips as I had thought. Those certain plates now sit out drying on the counter.
How special those dishes are to me - not because of a certain monetary value - but because I remember my mother saving up for them. I was a young teen and one day she said that she was planning our trip to go to the city to the big department store and purchase her dishes. This was when she told me what they looked like and how long she had loved that pattern and saved for them. What a wonderful shopping trip that was!
These special plates are my treasure which I share with whomever comes to eat with us.
My year has been full of sadnesses which have brought up other sad memories. This life is full of loss. The LORD holds onto me tightly for which I humbly praise Him. Each day I can continue to "do next things" all because of His love and strength, His comfort and His joy.
Throughout this year each sadness brought me to my knees and then all through the days leaning on Him, knowing He upholds me even when I feel like I can't do it. I have been upfront and personal with these agonies, some of which are completely unfair and unrighteous towards me. These have brought out feelings of anger and bitterness which has been hiding deeply inside of me.
I have known this anger and bitterness is there, but I rarely think of it until it springs out like a spider for its prey. YUCK!
So I have been being busy dealing with "repairing the chips of my life" in me. It has been difficult and tough, but I know what bitterness literally looks like in a person and I do not want it even in my inner person. This will be an ongoing thing, of coarse, this working on not being angry and bitter because I am only human. The LORD is the One who gives me the strength and energy to conquer these issues for which I am so very thankful.
1 Peter 1:3-9
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His great mercy has caused us
to be born again to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled
and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are protected by the power of God through faith
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while,
if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
so that the proof of your faith,
being more precious than gold which is perishable,
even though tested by fire,
may be found to result in praise and glory and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him,
and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,
you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
Praising the LORD with you!
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4 comments:
I awakened at 2:30 this morning with my Luvvy cat curled up close to me purring his deep contentment. As I stroked his little face I remembered the day I found him. I had gone to a friend's home to consider taking one of her kittens that were outside. As we visited nearby where their food and water was, one by one, three grown cats and three kittens ventures out. I immediately noted that one of the kittens was a third the size of the other two. He was clearly starved and, well, pretty ugly to look at. As I watched him he crept warily toward the food dish. Just as he leaned forward to get a bite two of the grown cats swiped at him and growled. He immediately retreated to a safe distance and stared longingly toward the food. I picked him up and though he didn't fight me at all, he looked terrified. I told my friend I would take him. She tried to encourage me to pick a healthy one instead, as it was doubtful the other would live the night. I was determined, however, that if he did die it wasn't going to be outside in the cold SD November chill. I took him home and had to put him through a very difficult regimen of bath, medications, etc. Sure to either kill or cure him. As you know, Jill, he did not die. He had a very difficult first year, but now at three years old is a very sassy, healthy, and happy feline who has thrived in the outpouring of my Love and nurturing. I have rescued other cats whose story did not end well because their disposition remained feral even after much Love and care.
This morning as I snuggled Luvvy I thought about how the Lord takes the absolute worst of us, bathes and envelops us in His nurturing Love, and makes us His own. Some receive His Love with gratefulness and humility while others sink further into hateful bitterness.
Reading your beautiful post just now really brought my pondering full circle! How different our disposition becomes when our hearts are grateful for all the Lord has done for us!! The propensity of our humanity may be toward bitterness, but we don't ever have to succumb! Through these years getting to know you I have witnessed as you have set out purposely to not be taken by bitterness...a bitterness that the world would say is just with all you have suffered! We always have a choice. However justified we might think our bitterness is, we do well to examine the ugly fruit of bitterness in those who have succumbed to it! So much of your sorrow (and my own) is due to the words and actions of those whose lives are tortuously twisted and bent by their own bitterness. May we always have the heart to let God do through us what we cannot do on our own...to Love those who hate us. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to pour out His glory through your posts!
Jill, how well i remember these lovely plates! My mom had similar ones with the ivy. And yes, I made chips surface on those as I was growing up! Wish I could give you a hug and encourage you as you deal with your disappointments and heartaches. Our great Saviour knows and understands when we are buffeted with life's trials. He has ways of letting us know He cares. May the Word give you comfort and joy today! I'll be praying for you!
Kathryn
Thank you, Cherry, for your comment.
I remember you telling me about how you got Luvvy :o) and sent a pic of him healthy :o)
What a beautiful analogy on "...how the LORD takes the worst of us..."! Thank you for expressing it to me and to those who read this and for your further encouragements. ----Precious to me!
Thank you, Kathryn, for your sweet memories and for your precious kindness towards me. The LORD --- He is all of my joy and comfort! Hearing your encouragements has been a blessing from Him.
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