This blog has always been a therapy for me, a place I eagerly look forward to going every day. It began as a bulletin board for family and friends when Nate was sick, then morphed into a place where I could work through the struggles of new widowhood. Readers were gracious and supportive then, and still are today.
Looking back over recent posts I see how they’ve become less and less about me and more and more about God. He’s become my shining star, a gleaming guide who is front and center in my life and on my blog. Writing about him will always be satisfying, and because of who he is, I’ll never run out of material.
Something impressive through the last couple of years is how extensively he has delivered a wealth of wisdom to me through you, dear reader. You’ve responded to my posts by sharing nuggets of gold, braving the comment boxes and the contact button in a way that has benefited me, and also other readers on this site.
Much of what you’ve written I’ve copied and saved in a cyberfile labeled, “Interesting Stuff,” and I can’t count the times I’ve returned to this compilation to hear you again. The following comment, left by a reader named Tina (10/27/09,“Tired”) seems to apply in a potent way to Easter week:
“I’m writing this with a hotel pen that says, ‘See the world. Stay with us.’ Seems a contradiction, since the world is a large place, and a hotel is not. When Jesus speaks, there’s no contradiction. ‘In my Father’s house there are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.’ What I often forget is that He also stayed to prepare me for that place. Thank God for each morning’s new mercies… a cup of coffee, a warm hug, a baby’s drooling prattle, Scriptures that swell with meaning, then fit snugly into the day’s arsenal of resources. Another day. Another boatload of God’s tender compassions.”
Easter week is the perfect time to zero in on the long list of resources that are mine (and yours) as a result of Jesus Christ’s willingness to take my sins into himself and suffer his Father’s incalculable wrath. For me.
He died, yet he lives. He departed, yet he stayed. He takes, yet he gives abundantly, an “arsenal of resources” with which to live our lives, every day.
And one of the valuable resources he’s given me, has been you.
“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)
I like what Tina said about how he prepared and is preparing us for the place that he has for us. I know it’s beautiful beyond description, like Him. My heart yearns for Heaven, yet he has things left here for me to do.
Margaret, you have no idea how your blog site has nurtured and fed me over the past couple of years and how much I look forward to it EVERY day. You are truly using your God given gifts to reach others. I have forwarded it to other widows, my patients, family members and friends and it has so blessed their lives. I loved Tina’s comments from a previous post. Such a poignant reminder of the ”boatload of Gods tender compassions.”
Dear Margaret – Reading your blog is part of my morning routine. It blesses me, and helps me to acquire anew every morning, God’s perspective on my day and the events in it. Thank you for being so transparent and obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Love you.
Marni, Like Martye your blog is a part of every morning for me. Encouraging me, challenging me, providing a window into what God has shared with you. Your blog is a blessing to many. Thank you for being such an example of clay in the Potter’s hands, using a time of sorrow and difficulty in your life to encourage and often open a door for those also grieving.
I just “dito” the comments before me. You have been an instrument of God’s blessings to my life. I can’t count how many times your blog was just what I needed that particular day. Thanks for walking with the Lord and allowing all of us to journey with you and to receive the blessings. Love to you and all the family. So blessed to know that we are all a part of God’s family and in His time we will all be together.
Just think about it; we’re all a part of a family….many members we aren’t acquainted with, yet…we ALL have the same Father….and and even though we meet a few….just think what a ‘family reunion’ we’ll have! ….’won’t it be wonderful there?”
Margaret…..your ‘ministry’ manifested without you even seeking it……and you do an excellent job!