The love of God is all. This new day is what He brings, a day full of blessing, provision, of Himself. This is my all in all. How wonderful are the gifts of YHWH. How beautiful is His creation, bestowed upon us who do not always notice, who do not always appreciate, not only His gifts, but more importantly, Himself.

May we thank Thee, Oh God of bountiful greatness. May we thank Thee for Thyself.

Unless a grain of wheat falls in the ground and dies, it will not bear fruit.

There is no real growth without some form of pain it seems. We are called to growth, so it would follow that we are called to suffering. But not pointless suffering. Suffering for the sake of being conformed to Christ, our destiny.

In many ways, our suffering can be cut from years down to months, or even days, depending upon our level and immediacy of surrender.

Not all is within our control of course.

Yet we do possess at least a modicum of control, and it is there where we must, sooner or later, give our consent.

Hammering and chiseling itself is unpleasant. But when done with intention, for a specific purpose and outcome, it results in (what was there all along) unfathomable beauty.

~Written at The Oaks Academy Saturday School Parent Choir Seminar March 5th, 2016.