Walking in the Will of God

Morning all,

I loved talking with you all.  I hope what scripture had to teach yesterday revealed something to you.  I know that every time I teach I learn so much, scripture convicts my heart and pushes me to change.  

I was sorting through some old books I've had for years looking for some resources and I stumbled on this little poem.  Before I type it's contents let me explain why this poem was so meaningful to me.  When Patti, my wife, and I first started dating my parents objected saying she wasn't for me.  They come from the school that says God only chooses one person for you, and that God had told them that Patti was not the one for me.  Well, I was in love, madly in love with her and I felt in my soul that she was the one for me.  This was my freshman year of college and my parents wanted me to come home for the summer, they were in Ohio and I was in Chicago.  Of course I wanted to stay in Chicago, the coolest city in the world, but submitted to their request of coming home.  This meant I was heading right into the lions den and worst of all I was separated from Patti.

That summer was the worst summer of my life, I cannot find the words or the punctuation to communicate this to you.  I spent hours in a room with my parents while they would grill me.  The conversations usually dealt with me not submitting to them in the area of my relationship with Patti, and being a prodigal.  In the midst of this intense persecution, even though I knew they loved me and wanted to best for me, Patti sent me this poem.  

The reason for giving you this poem is that some of you might be in this phase of life where you feel "under it all" and want to give up.  Some of you have been perusing things you believe God wants you to do, and yet it's not working out the way you expected.  The conversations you have with God are frustrating and confusing.  Be confident of this, God is there and listening.  Be patient and continue to fall back on God as you risk and move.  Remember that it's through Christ that we become who we need to be, not by our own doing.  So, I hope this encourages you heart.

Walking in the Will of God

Though storms may rage and winds may blow,

I need not be cast down or awed;

Because it calms my soul to know

I'm walking in the will of God.

Although my path be dark as night,

And often fails the chastening rod;

I'm glad I walk by faith, not sight,

When walking in the will of God.

I know, whene'er I backward gaze

Upon the road that I have trod,

The sweetest way to spend one's days

Is walking in the will of God.

So, though the way be hard and long,

O'er mountain steep and vally broad,

I'll face the future with a song,

When walking in the will of God.

-Margaret K. Frazer-

 My wife, then my girlfriend, writes on the back:

When you get discouraged, keep looking at this poem.  It's a great reminder of the importance of our need to be walking in the will of God.

Hang in there Jeffy, His will, will bring strength when you obey.  Keep trusting and putting him first and he will bless you,  just has he has blessed our relationship over and over again.

I love you- P.L.

Sometimes the simplest of poems and the simplest of notes can bring to our attention some of the most profound truths.  

love you all,

jeff