For several years, I have had a yearning to write more often and in more focused ways. In an attempt to be gentle with myself, 2017 brought with it a goal to simply “write more.” That didn’t work. Granted, I had a bitty baby, so I will cut myself some slack.
Now 2018 has arrived, and I have decided to be a little less vague with my goal to “write more.” I thought choosing a topic and actually starting a platform might both encourage me and drive me to truly “write more.”
So here it is!
My title is a snippet from a hymn that we sing in church. It is an old hymn, written by William Cowper, that Sovereign Grace Music has revived. Since the words are public domain, I am including them for you here.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
One of the more recent times I sat down to write was for a short article I wrote as a guest post on a friend’s blog. It was a few years ago already. I will share that again here soon after I reformat it for this website, as I think that blog is no longer online. Anyhow, I wrote on the topic of sanctification. I come back to that theme in my life many, many days. It’s something I think about often. While this hymn, titled, “God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” is much about how God’s ways are perfect and cannot be known (and that in itself is something to ponder at length!!), I love the little hint here in this line of His sanctifying work in us.
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Sometimes He sanctifies us with sweetness. Many times, with pain. Circumstances may taste bitter, yet we have the beautiful hope that the sweet flower is coming. His refining fire works for our good and His glory.
My aim in writing here is to encourage myself and other moms who are, as I say, living life “in the muddle.” Life is messy, but let’s not try to to preoccupy ourselves with that. Not to dwell on the bitter tastes that we all may experience, but instead to see them as a means through which He changes us into His image, producing a sweet flower. We can have hope that He will complete His work in us.
More on the focus of my writing will come soon, but for now I just wanted to dip my toe in and hopefully encourage you with the words of this great hymn. See you soon!
