All the More Beautiful

This week brought to a close my 19th year of teaching piano students. Family and friends gathered for a cosy evening recital with a dozen fun, short pieces by my three young students as well as a chance for them to turn the tables and quiz me on keyboard skills as I had done so often in their lessons through the year.

A couple days later I came across this quote by a Victorian English missionary who gave up what promised to be a career at the top of the art world of her day in order to show people God's love in difficult places.

 

"All the more beautiful will be God's triumph when it comes. The highest music is not the music where all goes on simple and straight and sweet, but where discord suddenly resolves tensions with harmony."

~ Lillias Trotter (12 February 1905)

 

This reminds me how my young students comment from time to time on how a note or chord in their music "sounds wrong." They hear discord and want to "fix" it... not understanding why a composer would ever purposely choose to stray from tuneful harmonies.

But to those of us who have lived longer with great music, it is easy to hear the purpose of dissonance - to set off the beauty of harmony far more.

The same goes for dark shadows in art and the climax of crisis in good stories.

Yet, no matter how many years of experience we log in this world, sometimes we may still find it not-so-simple to accept the various trials that come throughout each day, as well as the bigger ones that last for years.

And so we remind ourselves along with Lillias "All the more beautiful will be God's triumph when it comes."

And with an ancient author we say,

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

~ Lamentations 3:21-24

Shut In – Day 376: The Right Time

Our last check-in with Noah on the ark (on his 601^st birthday) left us with the thought that – no matter our feelings or how things appear, we should wait on God for His timing. As Eric and Leslie Ludy of Ellerslie put it:

“Psalm 27:14 tells us, ‘Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord’ (NIV).

“Why is the phrase ‘be strong and take heart’ associated with waiting for the Lord? Because taking time to wait and let God make your path clear requires strength of soul — it requires faith. The Bible says that God is a ‘rewarder of those who diligently seek Him’ (Heb. 11:6). Do we believe that promise? Are we willing to diligently seek Him in order to find the reward that He has for those who wait expectantly on Him?”

Now, we know that Noah sought God diligently, for he was described as one who “walked with God.” He was rewarded in part when God gave him specific directions to build the ark which would be a literal life-saver for only 8 people and all the animals God chose to rescue from well-deserved judgement through the worldwide flood.

But being strong in the Lord does not always look as we expect. Sometimes it involves sitting and waiting for Him. It also entails believing and trusting that His ways are higher and better than ours.

And so Noah waited. 

More than three months passed after the dove returned with the freshly plucked olive leaf and then moved out of the ark for good. Eight whole weeks passed after Noah removed the covering of the ark and saw the dry ground.

And still he waited. … For what??

For the same Voice that had sent him into the ark in the first place! As impatient as he could have grown, the very walls shutting Noah in were clear testimonies to the faithfulness of God… showing that He could be trusted to take care of His children.

And after all that waiting and trusting… On Day number 376 since being shut in the ark:

“God said to Noah, ‘Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh… and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.’” – Genesis 8:15-17

[Can't you just about hear the Halleluia Chorus ringing out from the ark?!]

“So Noah went out…”

THE END!

Just kidding. There is more to the story, including Noah’s first action on dry ground once again being to build and altar and sacrifice to the LORD. Then God made a very special promise to Noah and all his descendants (including you and me!) which involved a rainbow.

But I’ll let you read it all for yourself.

After all, I think I’ve written enough words on this topic over the past 13 months! The question now is, are we going to learn from Noah? Are we going to walk with God, trust God, obey God, and wait on God?

By His grace!

~ Hannah

See previous posts in series here:

Part I: The Lord Shut Him In
Part II: Day 10: The Animals
Part III: Day 20: The Man Noah
Part IV: Day 30: The Walls
Part V: Day 40: What God Says... He Does
Part VI: Day 70: After the Crisis
Part VII: Day 100: When Waiting Turns to Years
Part VIII: Day 150: Touch Down!
Part IX: Day 181: Survival Mode while Shut In
Part X: Day 227: Land, Ho!
Part XI: Day 267: Testing the Waters
Part XII: Day 281: Giving Thanks for Signs of Hope
Part XIII: Day 319: A Birthday with a View

Rainbow Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

11.10.22 Shut In – Day 267: Testing the Waters

“At the end of forty days…”

That is where we are in Noah’s season of being “shut in” by God.

Forty days ago, Noah and family and menagerie in their mighty ship were already perched on the mountains of Ararat, and the tops of the mountains were finally visible! And yet there has been no change in daily life since then (unless possibly the earth and waters have calmed down some more from the violent upheaval geological records show were still happening as the flood receded.)

40 more days of waiting.
40 more days of feeding and cleaning up after animals.
40 more days of wondering how they were going to possibly start life again in an empty world.
40 more days of waiting for God to show the next step.

And still there was no sign. So, Noah decided to check things out for himself.

“At the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ark… and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him.” Genesis 8:6-9

As far as we know there was no disobedience or rebellion in Noah’s heart or actions. There is no record of God being displeased at His child’s experiments. It may show a little impatience, or simply a desire to plan ahead.

But as we will see in the weeks to come, Noah was still committed to waiting on God for clear direction.

See previous posts in series here:

Part I: The Lord Shut Him In
Part II: Day 10: The Animals
Part III: Day 20: The Man Noah
Part IV: Day 30: The Walls
Part V: Day 40: What God Says... He Does
Part VI: Day 70: After the Crisis
Part VII: Day 100: When Waiting Turns to Years
Part VIII: Day 150: Touch Down!
Part IX: Day 181: Survival Mode while Shut In
Part X: Day 227: Land, Ho!

Next Post: 
Part XII: Day 281: Giving Thanks for Signs of Hope

Shut In – Day 70: After the Crisis

You know how a crisis usually brings with it a unique mindset and extra adrenaline to “get through it” – even for those who don’t know God’s gifts of strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.*

But what about when the main crisis is past, and it hits you that life will never be the same? Whether dealing with the loss of a loved one or the loss of your health, strength, and abilities... moving on alone or living in years of “survival mode” can be harder to face than even the crisis itself.

Even while “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” – he was still a man like us.



As we follow along on Noah’s journey this year, think a moment of how many different things you have done through the past month. How many different people have you interacted with? (For us that includes several more contractors and building suppliers we are lining up to repair and rebuild after mold remediation.)

But Noah has spent 30 days since the rain ended:
- shut in the ark
- with his same 7 family members
- knowing the earth and every living creature is buried deep in water
- taking care of all the animals

And he still has an unknown amount of time left to wait... for an unknown future.

How does one survive the “endless” waiting? By looking to the only true Hope available.

We wait in hope for the LORD;
He is our help and shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in His holy name.
May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in You.

• Psalm 33:20-22

Other posts in this series:
Part I: The Lord Shut Him In
Part II: Day 10: The Animals
Part III: Day 20: The Man Noah
Part IV: Day 30: The Walls
Part V: Day 40: What God Says... He Does

Next Post:
Part VII: Day 100: When Waiting Turns to Years

* line from Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

In You Will I Trust

This album of Scripture Lullabies - Hidden In My Heart first became a good friend during another sleepless night. (Even though I recognize music after one hearing, it usually takes a few times through new songs to get past the "new acquaintance" stage for me.)  Now these cinematic orchestrations and Bible-based lyrics so beautifully help reset my mind on the truth during stressful and physically weak days.

Running a search just now on my blog, I am surprised not to find any mention of this series of albums before. Ever since I first heard of Jay Stocker's Scripture Lullabies (only 1 album back then) through the ministry of Revive Our Hearts and bought it to help Aunt Dorothy rest in the afternoons, they have been a big part of our life.

Besides blessing and calming us many days and nights at home, I played them through earbuds every time I was in the claustrophobic scanning machines for post-cancer checkups. We also give them to most new babies among our family and friends, as well as to hurting adult-friends. 

Check out the series here: Scripture-Lullabies.com

A favorite song from Volume IV which keeps playing through my mind and heart is based on Psalm 91:

In You Will I Trust
Listen Here

I will dwell in the secret place
Of the Most High God
I will abide under the shadow of the Almighty
Surely You will deliver me
You will make a way
With Your outstretched wings, Lord, You cover me
You will hold me close
Never let me go

I will say of the Lord You are my refuge
And my fortress
My God in You will I trust
In You will I trust

I will not fear the terror by night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
And when a thousand fall then ten thousand more
I’ll stand firm
You will give angels charge over me
Keep me in all my ways
They will lift me up, God You’ll hold me up
You’re my shield and strength
I won’t be afraid

No evil will befall me
The serpent has no power
I will set my love upon You
God You deliver, You will deliver me

I will say of the Lord You are my refuge
And my fortress
My God in You will I trust
In You will I trust

Lessons from a Sheep Dog

Reginald was our second, lively Border Collie since moving onto this hobby farm in 1985. Neither he nor Kep (named after a dog in Beatrix Potter) ever learned how to handle our flock of sheep, but they found ways to pretend to "herd" anyway.

Even if you haven't tried to raise one of these bundles of intelligent energy, the descriptions in Lessons from a Sheep Dog by Phillip Keller bring them to life in a special way.

And, as in all his books, Keller finds deep spiritual significance in his everyday interactions with the world around him - here focused on a dog named Lass, who was about to be destroyed until she came under the care of a loving and patient shepherd.

"Lass, of course, could not fully comprehend the complexity of the work we were doing. And at times she gave me the distinct impression that for a dog as energetic as she was, to 'stay' was almost asking too much of her.

"God used this element in Lass to teach me a most important principle. I began to grasp the absolute necessity to be quietly steadfast and faithful wherever He placed me. In a sense these interludes in life were a test not only of my faithfulness to God, but also of His to me."

"Lass helped me to understand that it is often in the darkest hour, during pressing danger, that the Master is closest to us. He cares, and He cares profoundly. It is His presence which gives us peace. It is His nearness which gives us hope. It is His protection which gives us life."

Courage, dear heart!

 

"Courage, dear heart!"

Did you know that more than sixty years before Lucy heard these comforting words in C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia," they had been penned to you and me (to any follower of Christ) by a British man named Charles?

He went on to tell us to:

"Bear up, for the Lord will bear you up, and bear you through. He who made you knows how frail you are, and how little you can bear. He will handle tenderly that which he has fashioned so delicately. Therefore, be not afraid because of the painful present, for it hastens to a happy future."

• C.H. Spurgeon, 1888
Chequebook of the Bank of Faith

I haven’t counted how many times this little book has made it on to my blog over the past year, but the fact that I keep sharing from it shows how highly I can recommend it to anyone looking for a short daily reading in addition to their study of God’s word.

Having started it a few weeks into 2021 and then gotten behind over time, I just finished the 365th entry this week.

Here is one more quote from the last few pages:

“This volume is a cheque-book for believers, and this page is meant as a warning as to what bank they draw upon, and whose signature they accept. Rely upon Jesus without limit. Trust not thyself nor any born of woman, beyond due bounds; but trust thou only and wholly in the Lord.”

[entry for December 26]

In Quietness

Does anyone else need this reminder today?

In returning and rest you shall be saved; 

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for Him.

• Isaiah 40:15,18

(Photos of a prairie sunrise last week)

The Door in the Wall

What a sweet, little book I last read from my nephew’s collection!

How often do we feel like we have just hit a wall? The way we thought we were supposed to go is blocked. Our hopes are dashed. We can’t go forward, so what can we do?!

In the imagery of this book… keep walking along the wall until you find a door.

"'Each of us has his place in the world,’ he said. ‘If we cannot serve in one way, there is always another. If we do what we are able, a door always opens to something else.'"

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli

Or, as Elisabeth Elliot put it: 

"Do the next thing."

And one more quote that I shared two years ago:

"And when she could no longer hope, she did not stand still but walked on in the dark. I think when the sun rises upon them, some people will be astonished to find how far they have got on in the dark."

Paul Faber by George MacDonald

[P.S. - Paul Faber is in the process of being recorded by a group of volunteers over at LibriVox.org. Want to join us?!]

Spread Your Sails

"I am seeing more and more that we begin to learn what it is to walk by faith when we learn to spread out all that is against us: all our physical weakness, loss of mental power, spiritual inability - all that is against us inwardly and outwardly - as sails to the wind and expect them to be vehicles for the power of Christ to rest upon us. It is so simple and self-evident - but so long in the learning!"

Lilias Trotter (22 August 1902)

Isabella Lilias Trotter (1853-1928) was poised to be the top artist of her time when she left it all to follow God to the mission field of Algeria. To see samples of her work and read or watch some of her story, visit:

https://liliastrotter.com/

Instagram: @liliastrotterlegacy
https://www.instagram.com/liliastrotterlegacy/

And, yes, we did get sailing once more this summer! Elsa was my "first mate" for a relaxing cruise last week.

Madame Spyri's Panacea

Madame Spyri's panacea
for the ills of life

is an old one...

• Charles Wharton Stork

from the forward to Vinzi 

"Madame Spyri's panacea for the ills of life is an old one, but it is doubtful whether anything better can be found than her combination, which is: 

Faith in God, active helpfulness toward all around, love of beauty, fresh mountain air, and good food."

· Charles Wharton Stork's Forward to Vinzi

If you like Heidi, don't miss Vinzi!

Trust Cries Out

"When there is stabbing pain, trust cries out.
It is only mistrust, fear, and suspicion that keep silent."

• Mike Mason in The Gospel According to Job

"I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me."

• Psalm 57:2

Pruning

 The prolific phalaenopsis orchid we call "Tripod" had gotten too wild to fit in its pot any longer. 

Time for a trim.

Since I didn't have a larger pot available, and these orchids prefer to be cosy anyway, I scrubbed up the old pot.

At the bottom I found a forgotten collection of amazing rocks! Used to help drainage and lessen the amount of potting bark needed, I decided to only put a few rocks back and lighten the pot for handling during weekly watering.

Next, pre-soak the new bark...

...along with a sprinkling of charcoal for deodorizing.

And re-pot - wrangling most of the old air-roots into the pot for stability.

Looking much better!

This being the first time I've tried this invasive process on an orchid while it was still blooming, I wasn't surprised to see all but one blossom drop off soon after.

But I was surprised that the new spike I was watching emerge (and which precipitated this re-pot before having to wait months longer through another flush of blossoms) turned out not to flower at all!

Never before have my orchids grown a keiki (baby orchid) on a new, dedicated spike. Mine have always before come from old spikes that were done flowering.

Maybe the plant thought it was dying and wanted to reproduce first?! Instead, Tripod is looking better than ever, and my orchid nursery will need a new "crib" (little pot) by next year.

Hmm... how often do we feel that God's pruning and trimming things out of our lives through loss and pain are "the end of it all" - when they are actually just the spur needed for new growth?

Keeping Every Promise

"The Christian is, by definition, a hopeful person. That hope is not artificial self-projection. It is produced in us by God's promises. Because we love and trust the Lord, we believe the promises He has given in His word. They have become the spectacle lenses through which we view everything - and that is what injects the melody of hope into our lives.

"Hope does not put us to shame"; it doesn't let us down or disappoint us. Why? Because "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5 v 5).

"What does this mean? Our biggest hope is for everlasting life: for heaven and all that will follow it in the new heavens and earth. Being sure of that, even although we don't yet experience it, changes everything. It is like light appearing at the end of the tunnel, dispersing the total darkness that engulfs us. It enables us to see our way forward.

"...The logic goes like this: if you spend £500 to pay for a holiday, but then discover there is an additional £10 taxi fare to be paid to get you from the airport to your destination, you're not going to turn back. No, since you have already paid so much, of course you will pay the extra. The same logic applies here. If God has kept His major promise by giving His Son for you and to you, you can be sure He will keep every promise He has made.

"That is why His love is the foundation not only for faith but also for hope. And that hope lasts; it will never fail. It is a hope that we can hold on to even when we are suffering, even when life seems to be unravelling at the seams, even when our worst nightmares are coming true. We can still have hope, because God kept His biggest promise, His oldest and costliest promise, when Love came down at Christmas."

- from Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson

[Our family appreciated the book quoted above for our month of advent readings last December. As you can see, the truths contained are anything but limited to Christmas. I needed the reminders again now! And the photos in this post are July in Mom's garden.]