The Lowliest Gift

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

Colossians 3:23

Many of us are familiar with and probably have a copy of Oswald Chambers' book My Utmost for His Highest. It is a beloved devotion book read by millions. The captivating words of wisdom have challenged and inspired readers for more than 80 years. The title of this book was taken from a thought in one of his sermons: "Shut out every consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only--My Utmost for His Highest."

What you may not know is that his wife, Gertrude Chambers,           
used the gift God gave her to compile the book: stenography.
She was an expert at shorthand and when her husband spoke,
she recorded the words.

After Oswald's death, Gertrude spent years transcribing her
husband's words, and the culmination of her hard work was
the 365 entries in this book. "Imagine what she learned along
the way, poring over her husband's thoughts and words about
the God they both loved."*


As I've mentioned before, I never wanted to be anything but a secretary. Not a highly admired position. But I made a career out of it and many other fields of service evolved from that gift of administration.

Without the skill of administration and secretarial work, the writing of notes in my life may never had materialized. "When Gertrude learned shorthand, she didn't know how God would use her skills later in life. None of us knows how God will use our skills or talents. 

"Maybe your best skills seem like things God can't use, but you never know what He has planned. As you go through your days, doing the things that you're good at, take encouragement in knowing that at any moment God could use your abilities to achiever His purposes." *

No gift is so low that it can't achieve good for God's glory. Be encouraged by Gertrude Chambers, who by using her gift of shorthand, compiled a book of her husband's words that have touched millions through the ages.

"Let none hear you idly saying, 'There is nothing I can do,'

While the lost of earth are dying, And the Master calls for you;

Take the task He gives you gladly; Let His work your pleasure ;

Answer quickly when He calls you, 'Here am I, send me, send me.'"

"Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling," verse 3,Daniel March, 1816-1909

* The One Year Women in Christian History devotional by Randy Peterson and Robin Shreeves

How Can You Be Mad At God?

"God has laid upon man the duty of being free, of safeguarding freedom of spirit, no matter how difficult that may be, or how much sacrifice and suffering it may require."

Nikolai Aleksandrovich Berdyaev (1874-1948)

I've heard so many people say they're mad at God. It's implied that everybody gets mad at God at some point in their life. We're only human after all. It's His fault. He could have done something.

I don't think I've ever been mad at God. I'm certainly not super human. I've had plenty of pain and heartbreak and discouragement and trouble. But I honestly don't think I've ever been mad at God or blamed Him for my troubles.

Why? Because He's all I have. He's the only one I can turn too. He's the only one who can do something about my trouble. He's the only one who knows me, really knows me.  How can I be mad at Him for something that has happened to me.

"Without free will, man would not be created 'in the image of God'. With it, he has the power to defy God's wishes and to bring misery on himself and others."

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

We're not promised a trouble-free life. It's stated very clearly in His Word that God uses the troubling times in our life to help us grow as Christians and become stronger individuals.

Charles Stanley wrote in his devotion book "Wisdom From Above": "But when we realize that nothing touches our lives without permission from God, that He works all things together for our good, and that He is truly in control, it changes everything. This truth not only gives meaning to our struggles, but it also alerts us to the fact that the Father has a greater plan for our lives that He is preparing us for."

I've thought about this for years. Every time I hear someone talk about being mad at God I wonder what's wrong with me. Why don't I get mad at God? Do I have low self esteem? Do I believe I deserve what happens? No. I've wondered if it's because I have a very small family, and it was not a happy family. There wasn't anyone to turn to. No. It's not that either. I don't understand why Christian people get mad at God.

He has given every human being a free will. He doesn't make anybody love or seek Him. It's our choice. How can He be at fault when something bad happens. He didn't want robots. That means everybody makes their own choices. Some are good; some are bad.

"If man lost his liberty, he would be disqualified for membership in the kingdom of God. Not even God could build a society of love out of puppets or robots. Therefore, He never defeats himself by taking away freedom of choice from man."

Kirby Page (1890-1957)

If you think nothing really bad has ever happened to me, think again. My woes have been great. I live with great heartbreak. Blame God. Why? Because He could have stopped it? This is human life we're talking about. Our choices. Someone else's choice.

He promises to always be with me. Always. Even when something bad happens He is still with me.

Yes, I don't think I've ever been mad at God because He is the only one I can turn too. He understands me perfectly. He knows what to do to help me through.

"There are two freedoms: the false, where man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought."

Charles Kingsley (1819-1875)

Solid Foundation

I found this on the Facebook page of "Peaceful Moments for Women."  

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read at all."

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

An early PS: After writing this post it dawned on me that I write about these topics a lot. I was going to delete the post, but then decided it encouraged me so here it is.

Cliff Barrows, from the Billy Graham team, when asked: What are some practical ways to discipline and guard our minds? replied:

"Develop a love for good music, good books and great friendships. When you meditate on God's Word or read about the lives of great believers and missionaries, you guard your mind. You see what God did in their lives as they were given to the Lord in study and experience. 

"Develop good friendships. These friendships include older people who mentor you and people your own age who can walk the Christian life with you. 

"Listen to good music. Learn the hymns because biblical principles will be ingrained in your heart and your mind as you keep going over them. If you put these things together, God will use them to help you to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Good books. There are no shortage of books to read, but make sure you're filling your mind with books that inspire, encourage, teach and convict. Fiction stories are fine. I love fiction stories. But there must be a balance so you keep your mind growing and learning.

When we married Jerry was not a reader. But through the years, even though he struggled with reading, he conquered the ability to read. Reading is now one of his favorite things to do.

Friendships. You know how I feel about friendships. I recently read this poem in one of my journals:

"You are the friend who calms my spirit, Your voice brings me joy each time I hear it.

You delight in my triumphs and share in my sorrows, You bring back the joy that misery borrows.

Whether together or miles apart, You are the friend I hold in my heart."

I hope you have a few friends like this poem describes.  Both older and the same age friends like Barrows describes. And, yes, some younger friends. If you're living a good life for Christ, younger friends can see and learn from your example. And remember your best friend, Jesus:

"The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared with Jesus Christ."

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

Music. Again, there are no shortage of songs to listen too. You want songs that enrich your life and encourage you. Hymns should be in your collection. The praise hymns of today are meaningful and inspiring, but hymns of old provide biblical principles as Barrows said.

You know how easy it is to have a tune and words settle in your mind and you can't stop singing them. If you fill your mind with hymns you will always have God's story in your mind. They may be old, but definitely not expired.

"A few songs with Him might change the way you sing. Forever."

Max Lucado, (1955-  )

So consider your life and choose good books, good friendships and good music

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Words to Ponder

I'm a big fan of words that other people have written through the years. I have journals filled with quotes that I relate to and believe. Good words. Thoughts to ponder.

I remember about 10 years ago how excited I felt when I was able to purchase "Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World." It was a hefty $80, a sum I don't usually spend for a book. I had been introduced to it when I began writing and hoped one day I could afford it.

I enjoyed seeing this tree with the stairs. I hope there's a lovely place to sit up there.

Many of my devotion books also provide quotes I write down and ponder, as well as a few fiction books. It kind of gives me a connection to people in all centuries when I can relate to and say amen to their words.

This post shares a few quotes I've enjoyed:

"I'm sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and the pleasure." Woodrow Wilson, 1856-1924

"If I can put one thought of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." George MacDonald, 1824-1905

"It's the noise of civilization that disturbs and grates on the nerves. Nature's noises refresh and relax me . . . the rustle of the wind in the tops of the trees or the roar of it across the ridge behind the house. The chirping of a cricket or the orchestration of Katydids from midsummer until frost. The full moon rising, huge and silent, the unexpected stillness . . . on such evenings or with Bill when he is home, we sit quietly talking or just listening to plenty of nothin." Ruth Bell Graham

"Laughter is the most beautiful and beneficial therapy God ever granted humanity." Charles R. Swindoll, 1934 -

"Hope -- the fragile, gentle whispering, tough, enduring, awesome stuff dreams are made of -- is the gift of God to every fainting heart." Gloria Gaither

"On your knees you are taller than trees." unknown

"Prescription for a happier and healthier life: resolve to slow your pace; learn to say no gracefully; resist the temptation to chase after more pleasures, hobbies and more social entanglements; then 'hold the line' with the tenacity of a tackle for a professional football team." James C. Dobson, 1936 -

"John Bunyan was once asked a question about heaven which he could not answer because the matter was not revealed in the Scriptures. He advised the inquirer to live a holy life, then go and see." unknown

"Life is much simpler once we understand the important of realizing there are things we simply have no power to change. When you are able to let go and let God be God, you'll find your life becoming less stressful." Joyce Meyer, 1943 -

"And I can live my life on earth contented to the end, if but a few shall know my worth and proudly call me friend." Edgar A. Guest

"The very men who, in the pride of their investigations into the secrets of the internal world, turn a look of scorn upon the Christian system of belief, are not aware how much of the peace and order of society, how much the happiness of households, and the purest of those who are the dearest to them, are owing to the influence of that religion extending beyond their sphere . . . In my view, the life, the teachings, the labors, and the sufferings of the blessed Jesus, there can be no admiration too profound, no love of which the human heart is capable too warm, no gratitude too earnest and deep of which He is justly the object." William Cullen Bryant, 1794-1878

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." Helen Keller, 1880-1968

"I have come to realize, that the radiance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the fragrance of the little violets or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. Perfection consists in being what God wants us to be." Th'er'ese of Lisieux, 1873-1897

"Practice the art of aloneness and you will discover the treasure of tranquility. Develop the art of solitude and you will unearth the gift of serenity." William Arthur Ward, 1812-1882

"I have no rest, but in a nook, with THE Book." Thomas a Kempis

"Every calling is great when greatly pursued." Oliver Wendall Holmes, 1809-1894

Ever since I began writing down the words and thoughts of others, from present time through the ages, I have a treasure of encouragement that helps me know I am not alone and I can stand strong in my faith. As Lynn Morrissey: "The insights of fellow spiritual pilgrims help me apply God's Truth to my own life in a relevant and meaningful way."

You may not like to journal your everyday thoughts and actions, but writing down the words of others that inspire and encourage you is very satisfying. It certainly is for me!



 

Below, a favorite snap of mine! Sam's bucket in the golden leaves. It had been through war! Sure miss old Sam!