I can't even begin to explain what I've gone through this week. I still don't have an answer on when our court date might be. Josie (and I think myself) have strep throat. I want to go home more than anything in the world right now. I cry every single day. So as I try to maintain my sanity and joyful dependence on Christ, I just thought I would share this quote that I stole from a friend's blog. It's just what I need right now:
"[One of the marks of Christian maturity which a believer should seek is] an
acquiescence of the Lord's will founded in a persuasion of his wisdom, holiness,
sovereignty, and goodness...So far as we attain to this, we are secure from
disappointment. Our own limited views, and short-sighted purposes and
desires, may be, and will be, often over-ruled; but then our main and leading
desire, that the will of the Lord may be done, must be accomplished. How
highly does it become us, both as creatures and as sinners, to submit to the
appointments of our Maker! and how necessary is it to our peace! This great
attainment is too often unthought of, and over-looked; we are prone to fix our
attention upon the second causes and immediate instruments of events;
forgetting that whatever befalls us is according to his purpose, and
therefore must be right and seasonable in itself, and shall in the issue
be productive of good. From hence rise impatience, resentment, and secret
repinings [i.e., complainings], which are not only sinful, but
tormenting; whereas, if all things are in his hand, if the very hairs of
our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction
of his providence and purpose; and if he has a wise, holy, and gracious end in
view, to which everything that happens is subordinate and subservient; --then we
have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as he leads, and
cheerfully to expect a happy issue...How happy are they who can resign
all to him, see his hand in every dispensation, and believe
that he chooses better for them than they possibly could for
themselves!" (Respectable Sins, pg. 66)
acquiescence of the Lord's will founded in a persuasion of his wisdom, holiness,
sovereignty, and goodness...So far as we attain to this, we are secure from
disappointment. Our own limited views, and short-sighted purposes and
desires, may be, and will be, often over-ruled; but then our main and leading
desire, that the will of the Lord may be done, must be accomplished. How
highly does it become us, both as creatures and as sinners, to submit to the
appointments of our Maker! and how necessary is it to our peace! This great
attainment is too often unthought of, and over-looked; we are prone to fix our
attention upon the second causes and immediate instruments of events;
forgetting that whatever befalls us is according to his purpose, and
therefore must be right and seasonable in itself, and shall in the issue
be productive of good. From hence rise impatience, resentment, and secret
repinings [i.e., complainings], which are not only sinful, but
tormenting; whereas, if all things are in his hand, if the very hairs of
our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction
of his providence and purpose; and if he has a wise, holy, and gracious end in
view, to which everything that happens is subordinate and subservient; --then we
have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as he leads, and
cheerfully to expect a happy issue...How happy are they who can resign
all to him, see his hand in every dispensation, and believe
that he chooses better for them than they possibly could for
themselves!" (Respectable Sins, pg. 66)
What a beautiful quote. Thanks for sharing. I hope and pray you and Josie both feel better soon. I also hope that February brings all of you safely home.
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