Then the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” ~ Numbers 22:27-29
Just my way of saying that my quoting an individual should not be considered an endorsement of that person’s worldview. A few true words may fall from any mouth, even that of an animal.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust
I peered into the bottom of the box and found a handful of blossoms waiting there. Smiling, I poured them into my glass, and they landed perfectly posed for the photograph.
Thanks again, from the bottom of my bloomin' heart, for such a thoughtful surprise!
Gardenias were Mama's favorite, and this wonderfully blooming bush was a gift to me on my first Mother's Day without her. It speaks honor and comfort to me, and I wanted to pass it along on this morning.
Our dwarf varieties are in dressed in beautiful array, as well. The year that Mama passed away these bloomed continually from May until November, an unusually long season for my plants. In the fall, I was only seeing one or two flowers each day, and the last flower bloomed on Mama's birthday. That still makes me smile.
It is in the quiet crucible of your personal private sufferings
that your noblest dreams are born
and God's greatest gifts are given,
in compensation for what you've been through.
~Wintley Phipps
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
Horatio Spafford's story:
"This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871 at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, 'Saved alone.' Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died." ~Wiki
Horatio Spafford's words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Just this morning, a friend posted a video (below) of Nicole Sponberg singing "Be Still, My Soul." I love that hymn! How many times has it been the very chorus of my heart? Countless. The lyrics are a continual balm for this poor soul, and the tune is so gentle and comforting. I need this today. I'll need it tomorrow. Thank you, LORD, for it all...
"Be Still My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
tune: Finlandia
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
I sure wish she had sung all of the lyrics . . . the video below includes more, but still not the entire hymn. If I could pull it off myself, I would.
"If I win...Everybody will say, 'Well, of course he won. He's a top-ranked player.' But if I lose...maybe it's better not to be the best. Then you can lose, and it's O.K. " ~ Josh Waitzkin
It is rare that I recommend a movie. I have a list of favorites, as most do; however, I don't even recommend all of those to others. Searching for Bobby Fischer is a quiet and touching film, in my opinion, and our entire family enjoyed it.
