“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
One of my favorite pastimes is crocheting. It is satisfying to watch as the yarn twists and turns and a marvelous creation unfolds. I enjoy the smoothness of the crochet hook, the feeling of the yarn slipping gently through my fingers, and the rhythm that occurs as the pattern is mastered.
Yet every so often the yarn doesn’t unwind the way it should and an ugly snarl pops out of the skein of yard. It is so frustrating to have to stop and work through the tangle before I can get back to the work I love. Sometimes someone offers to help me. It just doesn’t work if more than one person is trying to untangle the threads. Things get worse.
I’m realizing what a perfect analogy that is for my family right now. While things are always more difficult than I’d like them to be, we have achieved some sort of rhythm. A pattern of doctor visits, and a new “normal” day-time routine has developed. Then suddenly–one of those ugly snarls. This time, it’s dealing with an unexpected emergency in my husband’s already frail health.
His chemotherapy isn’t doing what it should. He is getting sicker instead of better. Tonight he lies in a hospital bed awaiting further testing. Our lives are now on hold. Another frustrating tangle faces us.
As I sit and sift through the happenings of the past twenty-four hours, the similarity hits home. Yet, this time, I know I am not the one that will gently untangle the days events and bring things back into rhythm again.
This time it is God’s hand that will do the needed work.
My worries and feeble attempts to help add nothing to what is happening. I realize that handing the whole tangle over to him is the only way to get back into whatever new pattern develops.
Somehow I know, that at the end of it all, a marvelous creation will occur.
And this one will have God’s hand print on it. Not mine.
Prayer: Father God, Thank you that in the tangles of our lives we can find you gently and patiently putting each strand in the proper place and making a creation that is exceedingly, abundantly more than we can think or ask. Amen and amen, Lord.
About the author:
Deni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her lessons might be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at EncouragingWords@me.com. Her webpage is http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement.
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When your life gets tangled up, how do you turn it over to God? Can you explain to us what you do or pray, to help those of us who are wondering exactly ,how to do this?
Thank you, Deni, for allowing the Lord to use you to write devotions for us. Your words were absolutely beautiful and creative and encouraging. I will be praying for you and your husband. May the Lord continue to bless you (and us) with such beautiful word pictures. Thanks again.
Thank you so much. This devotional was meant for me today!!
Deni, I just want to say “Amen” to both comments. I couldn’t have said it any better. My life seems to be tied u in knots right now too.
At the suggestion of my daughter-in-law, I have begun writing out 100 things I’m thankful for. I’m up to 34 and going strong. This will not take away my physical and mental challenges but it is already helping me to have a more positive outlook on my life. I was talking to a friend of mine just before I started doing this. She also has a chronic illness and is wanting to do this exercise as well. This all began when an American missionary in Mexico had a retreat for other (lady) missionaries, in her home, to celebrate American Thanksgiving. One of the ladies was my Canadian daughter-in-law. She gave this assignment to them as a personal project and my son’s wife found as she read her list over that it gave her a different, more positive, perspective on her life.
Blessings to you from our loving, ever-present Lord!
Beth, if you are enjoying this, you may love the book 1000Gifts. A beautiful book.
deni- continuing prayers for all of you and esp. for Steve.
I am reminded as I read your analogy of the yarn and handing the tangled strands over to the Lord of a message I got near 20 years ago.
I had prayed with a friend. We were quiet. Psalm 139 came to my awareness. And then in my “mind’s eye”, I saw Jesus holding knitting needles! What???
My best interpreation and one I cllng to positively, is that He was re-knitting some parts of my design that had gone astray – for whateve reason. Knitting is about the only craft / fabric area that I never learned to do. Thus – He has knitting needles and He has the original blueprint/ design that is to be “me” and He is at work. I am to be still and let Him be God.
That is not to say it is easy. It just is the way He works. . .knowing what He is about and trusting us to trust Him.
Love,
Lynn
Lynn: Isn’t it cool that God can use knitting needles, tangled threads, pets, gardening, STARS, the sun and moon, storms, the smile of A BABY, the open ways of a small child, written words, photos, in fact, just about anything, to teach us marvelous things about life?
Right now I am looking out at a winter wonderland. We finally got enough snow to cover the ground and make the trees and Christmas lights beautiful. The sky is blue and I’m encouraged. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow!” Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
It’s good to be connecting with two of my “Hinds’ Feet” buds again. 🙂 And, oh yes; I didn’t mention one of the loveliest creations He uses: our friends!
Lynn & deni: consider yourselves hugged!!
Beth – you are so right. God us es many things to get our attention and He is so personal and creative, too.
I mean, really! Knitting needles! I had told my step-sister this story and years ago she found a tiny little lapel pin that someone had made to sell at a craft fair. It was the beginnings of a clothing item being knit and the person who made it used “toothpicks” to serve as knitting needles, the image was that small. I keep that out to remind myself that these times I go through are “God at work” times.
And the beauty of creation as you are experiencing now with the snow and the sun combining to highlight the wonders right in your front yard. Amen.
I second Lisa’s recommendation for Ann Voscamp’s book – “One Thousand Gifts”. I think this young woman has one handedly started many of us writing down the gratitude of the wonders we see each day – the simple joys that we often miss esp. when so much of what many of us expereince is painful and it can dominate our attention.
A Happy New Year to you, too, my friend – hugs included!
Just wanted to say that I whole heartedly agree with what each of you, Lynn, Beth, Lisa & Deni! I am going to look for the book by Ann Voscamp too. I know the Lord has worked wonders in my life by reminding me to stay continually thankful and aware of the many ways He blesses thru each day. I know if not for His gift to me in allowing me to see His handiwork each day that I wouldn’t be able to make it thru the day. I believe it is God’s prescription for mental health. Physical challenges can suck the life right out of me and make it very difficult to handle anything else, but praise the Lord, He is still working and showing Himself strong on behalf of those He loves!
HI Carm – blessings to you, too!
I appreciate your thoughts. It seems we are all in agreement here.
I just emailed this link below to Beth.
It shares more about Ann Voskamp’s book ( had her name spelled wroing above).
She narrates the video and it will give you a taste for her, her life ( images are her photos of her home and children ) and it will inspire you – all of us.
Happy New Year!
Love – Lynn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhOUaszMGvQ
I am going to watch this video tomorrow, I need to rest now. But I had to jump into the discussion with this story.
About 20 years ago I attended a Bible Study led by a dear friend who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few years before I was. She encouraged us to keep a praise journal. We were to write 5 things that brought beauty and blessing to our lives THAT DAY. This would train our spiritual eyes to look for ways that God spoke blessings to us in spite of fatigue, being too busy, or being in pain. I have done this pretty constantly through the years, and I have noticed that when I fall out of the habit it sure is easy to get grumpy or self involved with my pain and growing disability.
I love how you said it is God’s prescription for mental health Carm. Although tonight, when my daughter and I got the giggles over the way I was trying to step up the curb at a fast food place, some in the parking lot may have thought my mental health was in question. Yes, it has gotten to the point where curbs are a challenge…but I made it! LOL
Love you, my dear Sisters of the Heart,
Sandy
HI Sandy – we are having quite a reunion of friends here via deni’s devotional.
It is great how you have maintained a praise journal for many years. I know that my daily journal serves much that purpose among my other entries, but to keep a separate book is something I want to start doing.
I think it is Ann Voskamp’s unique style that has captured the hearts of many and has brought a younger generation into this intentionality of focusing on gratitude . We “”young at heart” generation can appreciate her apporach, too.
Hugs –
Lynn
Sandy: So glad you decided to “jump in” and join the discussion. I can just imagine you and your daughter giggling over something like this. This reminds me that there IS joy in the midst of sorrow, a chance for laughter amongst the tears and frustrations, meaning and hope where there is pain and fear of the future.
I had a Thanksgiving journal for a year several years ago now. It’s one I may pass on to my son and his family.
Lisa: Thank you for “jumping in” too and mentioning the book “1,000 Gifts”.
Lynn: What a wonderful way to end the year, thinking of creative ways to praise and thank our Creator God. Thanks for more information on Ann Voscamp and her website.
God bless each of us in 2012!! I know He desires to!
What a blessing to wake up and find so much chatting happening here! So good to see all of you! I too have An Voscamp’s book (due to the generosity of a friend). I also found an iPhone app where you can record your 1,000 gifts in pictures if you care to. It’s amazing how much there is to be thankful for each day. And yes, God bless each of us this year!