RE: Fanny Crosby

I was reading a brief biography about a very inspirational woman of God, Fanny Crosby. She is the writer behind many of today's popular hymns. What I hadn't realized before is that she had been totally blind since childhood. In a unique God-given perspective, she was joyful for her blindness and praised God for what many considered a disability. At just the age of 8-years old, she wrote this poem, which has totally humbled me:

Oh, what a happy child I am,
Although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don't!
So weep or sigh because I'm blind,
I cannot, or I won't!

It's amazing that a child can be so wise. At my age, there are a lot of things I complain about. Many of which are infinitely more insignificant than blindness. My prayer for this week is to share in Fanny's thoughts, that regardless of what is going on, I will find my joy in God and resolve that "in this world contented I will be".

Imprisoning God

I stumbled upon something incredible yesterday. It was a book that I'd never heard of it or seen it before in my house. Somehow it got lost in between the hundreds of books on the bookshelves.

I started flipping through the pages and discovered it was filled with amazing poetry, observations, and testimony of the glory of God. It is such a treasure, and I'll probably be posting several short quotes from it in the days to come.

Here's an excerpt that really caught my eye:

In your search for Me you read my word
You find me on every page,
But in your joy you imprison me
Like a bird within a cage.

The only way to keep your joy
To keep your joy in Me,
Is to share it today and everyday,
Share what I have given thee.

It's so simple yet profound. We don't have to be bold preachers or gifted musicians in order to spread the joy of God. Sharing the love of God is not reserved for only a few. Use what God has given you, whatever that is. A talent, a resource, or even a nugget of truth from His Word. Share it with somebody and keep your joy.

Give As God Gives

"As thunder follows lightning, giving follows grace"

    -Randy Alcorn

Embrace it

"If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart."

— Oswald Chambers

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you endure trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
— James 1: 2-4

"It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn your decrees." - Psalm 119:71