Honest Talking

I am feeling a bit sad now. These past 2 days I have felt a lot of hurt in the people around me - because of things that were said and because they did not listen to the things left unsaid. I have listened to the silent assumptions and the words that came out based on those assumptions. And I am reminded of how fragile we all are. So vulnerable to hurt and all that we say and do to protect those little fragile selves. And I am reminded of that old song, 'The Sound of Silence':
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
Lord, show me what I must say or do. I want to disturb the sound of silence.

God Keeps His Promise

Today, my heart is full with gratitude and love for God.

Many years ago, in 1994, I asked Him for a blessing. It was a time of my life when I was all messed up and frightened and my greatest fear was what would happen to my daughters. God asked me to act in faith to make a decision that was really difficult. And I prayed for the promise in Isiah 44: 3 –
“Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. One will say “I belong to the Lord”;… still another will write on his hand, “The Lord’s”..”.

It has been 12 years since I prayed that prayer. And today He brought the memory of that prayer back to me.

This week, my Jennani is spending her spring break putting her hand to God’s work, doing work she has never done before to help build houses. And I have just read Rubhinni’s blog and her faith and understanding of God is so far beyond anything I could have taught her that I know God alone has spoken to her. And Maya is growing slowly, painfully, but so surely as she allows You to guide her. Surely You will use them Lord and grow them – as poplar trees by flowing streams.

God does not forget. I had forgotten that promise I claimed. But You have been so faithful and good that I have no words to thank you. You alone have raised my daughters. Your plans are far wiser and far more wonderful than anything man can achieve. Thank you for the blessing Father. And God, give me the grace to remember this and to trust You the next time You ask me to do difficult things in faith.