Thankful Thursday: "Our Eyes Are On You"

First of all, on this "Thankful Thursday", I want to say thank you to all of you who read and responded to my post yesterday.  No, I haven't created anything yet with those old spigots found at the dump, but I am definitely getting lots of good ideas from you as well as on Pinterest.  I will keep you posted as I figure out the best use for these vintage finds!

However, the part of yesterday's post that seemed to resonate even more with you and with myself was about how God sees us and uses us for His glory...even "repurposes" us with a new idea or plan during our retirement years.  For many of us, we find ourselves with more time on our hands, and for myself, I don't want to feel like this time or these retirement years are going to waste!  I want to be useful and do something meaningful with the time and talents God has invested in me.

Reflections on the pond...Sand Hill Cranes...last evening during my walk

As I reflected on these thoughts during my devotional time this morning, I was directed to read this devotional from Streams in The Desert, which was written many years ago and set apart for today's date, July 6th.  This may be a lot of reading for you today, but I want to share the key thoughts from this devotional with you, because it spoke to me so profoundly...and maybe it will to you as well.

The key verse for this reading was a portion of  II Chronicles 20:12 ~

"Neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon Thee."

"A life was lost in Israel because a pair of human hands were laid unbidden upon the ark of God. They were placed upon it with the best intent, to steady it when trembling and shaking as the oxen drew it along the rough way; but they touched God's work presumptuously, and they fell paralyzed and lifeless. (You can read more about that in II Samuel 6:1-7)

Much of the life of faith consists in letting things alone.

If we wholly trust an interest to God, we must keep our hands off it; and He will guard it for us better than we can help Him.  

'Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.' (Psalm 37:7)

Things may seem to be going all wrong, but He knows as well as we; and He will arise in the right moment if we are really trusting Him so fully as to let Him work in His own way and time.  There is nothing so masterly as inactivity in some things, and there is nothing so hurtful as restless working, for God has undertaken to work His sovereign will.":---A.B. Simpson

Wow!  First of all, not only was this message a direct response to what I was expressing outwardly yesterday, but I also couldn't help but notice that it was written by someone who had a direct and positive impact in my early years of service to the Lord,  A.B. Simpson,  the founder of the church and mission society known as The Christian and Missionary Alliance,  which is the church denomination in which my husband and I served in the ministry for many years.  This was like a voice from the past confirming to me what God was already speaking into my heart!  

And notice also that Dr. Simpson quoted another key verse from Psalms 37:7..."Rest in the Lord..."

Remember what my "One Word" for 2017 is?  REST!

Okay, friends...what am I to deduce from these words and thoughts today in light of my "restlessness" expressed in my post yesterday?  Well, I still believe that God may have some thoughts regarding how best to "repurpose" me for His purposes and plans for my life...but I have to "REST in the Lord, and wait patiently on Him..."   He will reveal His plans in His time and in His way...and I may find that it really isn't anything much different than what I am already doing (or not doing), but I just have to trust Him to do what He wants in and through me.  

Meanwhile...I will try not to get too anxious and get my feathers all ruffled while I wait on God.

I'm so thankful for God's Word, and His faithful servants who continue to speak to us down through the ages.  Perhaps we need to realize that what we say and do HERE in this space may also impact future generations for God's Glory.  What could be better than that?