The tent

16 Feb 2020

This week was a little tough with Rod’s birthday on the 12th and then Valentine’s Day. The old one two punch to the gut. One day at a time and and handful of chocolates, and I get through it.

This morning, as usual, I started with my meditation and prayer, and then walked to the garden store . (Flowers are always good for the soul!) While walking so many thoughts came to me about the meditation scripture…being grateful for my difficulties.

II Corinthians 12, 9-10

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

As I walked, I thought about the reading and the picture of a tent kept coming to my mind. I pictured a tent representing my life difficulties pitched in an open field. Thinking that this tent was pitched early in my life and my difficulties I’m sure were major at the time, but I can’t even remember them now. The difficulties I clearly remember are when My grandparents and parents died and then the biggest difficulty of my life was when my dear Rodney died and then most recently my dear sister Patricia. The tent of difficulties seems to be where God provides a refuge and provides protection from more hurt, knowing that in times I hurt, I have no choice but to seek God’s help and guidance for next steps and strength if I want to do anything in my life. When I am at my weakest, God’s grace is sufficient to help me be strong. As time goes by with this tent, I slowly realize that I can open the wind flaps and let fresh air come in, clean out the cobwebs in my brain and breath new air, get new ideas, draw on God’s energy. Eventually, I get the strength to open the doors and crawl out of the tent and walk here on earth in the protection of God my Father. The tent is still there, still providing shelter, still available anytime I need to grow and get stronger and closer to God.

Thank you Father for my difficulties, thank you for the strength to carry on one day at a time. Thank you for providing me with this tent and the understanding that I can leave the tent with Your protective hand. Thank You for the grace that is more than sufficient for me…when I seek Your countenance.

Amen,

Sarah