Monday 3 March 2014

A New Chapter

 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: 
we spend our years as a tale that is told.  
 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; 
and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, 
yet is their strength labour and sorrow; 
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.  
Who knoweth the power of thine anger?
 even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.   
So teach us to number our days, 
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 
  Psalm 90:9-12 (KJV)


Last month was an ending of one chapter and the beginning of a new one for me. The difficulties I had to endure during the previous chapter prepared me for the life I now live, and at the time I was going through the greatest trials of that previous chapter, I was unable to see anything other than the trials. Now, in hindsight, I understand how the Lord used these things to strengthen me and shape me into the character that I am today.

A new beginning...a new year has just begun, winter is almost over and spring is just around the corner...it all feels so fresh and new and alive.

This situation has me pondering how our life today prepares us for the life after this life, a new beginning in a new land, and this life that I am living now will be "the previous chapter" in that new land and all that is right now will have disappeared from my consciousness, just as my previous 50+ years are just  memories which have laid a groundwork for where I am today.

In my Bible reading I am at the point in the book of Numbers where Joshua and Caleb were the 2 out of the 12 which gave a good report of the promised land which lay before them. The other 10 spoke of giants that would eat them alive. These 10 were successful in striking fear and doubts into the hearts of the rest of the Israelites, which then caused them to be stuck in their "chapter" of wandering in the wilderness for another 40 years before they could finally reach that land flowing with milk and honey, their next chapter.

Before coming to this point of where I am, I had doubts and fears about what will be expected of me, and how it all will turn out. I'm thankful that the Lord provides me with the strength to overcome the challenges which seem to threaten me and stand in my way. He helps me today, into this new chapter which will give me new challenges to overcome.




6 comments:

  1. Congrats on your new move and new beginning in a new country!! :) Sounds exciting.

    Blessings and love,
    <><

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  2. Thank you Child of God, I'm enjoying the journey so far.

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    1. Wow, my blogging friend......a new country? I am so behind on blogging and catching up on the blogs I read so I prayed for you last night when I read this. Now that we are living in California winter and spring don't have as much meaning to me as they did when we lived in Russia. Take care.

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    2. Hi Natalie :) So true, I do the "catch up" too! I lived in California 40 years, and do miss the weather some times, however I do not miss the traffic! ;-)

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  3. I am amazed how God uses everything for our benefit...the good, the bad, and the ugly...even the seemingly insignificant. God bless you!

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    Replies
    1. "...even the seemingly insignificant" ...

      Yes! I think some of the most precious things the Lord gives to us are some of the most disregarded and overlooked by us, by me anyway. I take for granted that I can see and hear, but when I read of one such as Helen Keller, it humbles me to realize that these are such precious gifts! God gives air, water, trees, flowers, all kinds of beautiful animals, colors, smells, sounds, prayers, hope, friendships!!! Oh the glory of our God to give seemingly insignificant and overlooked treasures all around us!!!

      Thanks for your thoughtful comment and visiting :)

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