Wednesday, November 10, 2010

FEAST OR FAMINE

Some days are great – some days are…well, not so great.

Some days we feast at the table of blessings…some days we nibble at crumbs of despair.

Feast or famine.

That’s how life seems to go.

Some people would tell you that it’s all how you look at it. That’s true. (I’m a “glass half-empty” sorta girl…FYI). But even the most “rose-spectacled optimist” in the crowd would have to acknowledge that sometimes life throws curveballs. And sometimes, we get hit by a pitch…hard…and it hurts.

Up and down – we travel an uneven path.

I saw on a blog last week, lovely pictures of a young girl’s perfect wedding day – she had cancer – 5 days later, she died.

I have a friend who got the best news, and the worst news, of her life – on the same day.

I know another friend who celebrated her child’s birthday – and then was told by her husband that he didn’t love her anymore.

These stories could go on and on…

Someone asked me the other day, “When does it get any easier?”

It doesn’t…

Jesus knew how life waxes and wanes. He knew it was happy and hard. He knew it was lovely and loathsome.

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows…”
(John 16:33a)

Oh Lord, what do You have to say to a “glass-half-empty” person? How can You bring comfort to the aching soul that’s afraid to enjoy happiness, for fear that tragedy is lurking right around the corner? What do You say to the ups and downs of life?

Help me…


“I am your Shepherd.
I will give you all you need.
Learn how to rest…in Me.
I will give you peaceful streams of Living Water.
I will renew your strength.

I know the path is uneven – but I will guide you, if you let Me.
I will show you how to bring honor to My Name.
I know that life has very dark valleys – I’ve been through them Myself.
But even when you walk IN them, I will help you walk THROUGH them.

You don’t have to be afraid.
See, I am here, close beside you.
You can trust My rod to correct you.
You can lean on My staff to comfort you.

I will protect you in the presence of the enemy.
He will not conquer you.
I will give you a purpose in life.
I will fill that half-empty glass to overflowing!

My goodness and unfailing love will be with you.
In fact, I’ll pursue you if you wander.
And I’m going to do this every day of your life.
For you are going to live with Me forever.”


Feast or famine…

…He still feeds me.



“…But take heart, because I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!” (John 16:33b)


BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

11 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon -

    Thank you!

    This reminds me of what happened with Joseph and his brothers. The Lord had Joseph there for famine and then feast. What his brothers meant for evil GOD used for good. And how good it was!

    I love your statements, "I will protect you...," and "He will not conquer you."

    Amen, Amen, Amen -- GOD is surely faithful and He keeps proving it, and WILL do so forever!

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  2. Hi Sharon

    Thank you for this true and encouraging post. I am a glass half empty type of person too. But god know's and he is with me in the valleys as well as on the hilltops. God Bless - Hugs - Nita

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  3. Thank you Sharon for this wonderful word
    that offers so much encouragement and
    truth from His word. Yes, feast or famine
    He still continues to feed us. He is so
    good. I am a glass half-full girl. Either
    way, He is with us helping us to see His
    love all around us in every circumstance.
    Blessings,
    Sandy

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  4. Sharon, it can be both the best of times and the worst of times but God is so faithful. Isn't He. I love this version of the 23d Psalms. Is it from the The Message. It hit the spot this morning for a fellow half-empty kind of girl. I have truly learn how to rest in Him.

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  5. Amen! What a word for today...this post will be bookmarked...I especially liked this portion:

    "
    I will protect you in the presence of the enemy.
    He will not conquer you.
    I will give you a purpose in life.
    I will fill that half-empty glass to overflowing!"

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  6. I have to say too that having gone through a few famines myself, that I tend to grow more in them (as hard as they are to get through) with my relationship with the Lord. So they can be good things too if we allow ourselves not to wallow too much in self pity and wait and trust on the Lord

    betty

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  7. Thank you for sharing this. I needed this today and everyday.

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  8. Standing right next to you with that half empty glass of mine, too. I love your poem, just as I always do.

    You're so right. It can be the best of times and the worst of times, all in a single day. My only comfort is that this is the way this foreign land is supposed to be.

    But my HOME? Now, that will be feasting all the way.

    Another wonderful job, Sharon.

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  9. In many ways, with the Lord by our side, all of life is a feast -- even the tragedies. Because God is there to hold us, love us and get us through.

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  10. Well I must admit I have been accused of looking at life through rose colored glasses and that I see the cup as half full. It is not any easier for us either - things happen, bad news happens.

    But there is this hope inside me - that never goes away - it can get to be a small small glimmer and I may have to look very hard for it -some times way down deep - but it's always there.

    I guess what I am saying is - that even when you don't 'feel' it - is IS STILL THERE!

    Just wait for it to come to a place where you can feel it.

    sandie

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  11. First of all, let me say this little disclaimer:

    The "poem" is just my paraphrase of Psalm 23 - I'm glad that you liked it! I might try doing that again sometime -

    Sandra - Yes! The story of Joseph is a perfect parallel to what I was talking about! God takes "bad" circumstances and turns them upside down, and makes them work toward "good" purposes! He is so faithful, indeed!

    Nita - Oh yes! God is with us, even in the valleys. Don't you just find that the MOST comforting thought? He knows us "glass half empties" - and He loves us, too. (Liked the new little profile picture!)

    Sandy - I need to have some "half full" people in my life - so I'm glad you're with me on the journey! Seeing His love in EVERY circumstance - that is the road to TRUE peace!

    Wanda - As I said above, this was my paraphrase of Psalm 23. I'm so glad you liked it! I am learning to how to rest in Him - learning how to lean.

    Karen - I'm so glad you found this encouraging. I know you've seen some "dark valleys" lately. And that is where the enemy loves to lurk. I am unbelievably comforted by the knowledge that the Light of Life is with me every step of the way.

    Betty - Such good thoughts. Yes, I agree. My "famine" times have been times of growth - difficult, yes - but times of deepening my faith. Wait and trust - you have summed up the secret of peace - whether in feast or famine.

    Debby - Thank you. We all need to be reminded that God is always there. Me, too. That's why I wrote this one - I needed to hear it!

    Debbie - Thanks my friend. Best and worst of times - sometimes they can happen in the same hour! C.S. Lewis likened this world to an occupied land, ruled by an evil dictator. It isn't home - it never will be. But, the feast is coming - fat free!

    Lynda - You're right. I hadn't thought of that. Abundant life, in spite of circumstances - that is feasting!

    Sandie - This was like a wonderful mini-post! I love how you described the little glimmer - kinda like a little faith "pilot light!" You're right, we can't rely on our feelings - they ride the up's and down's of life like a poor little ship at sea. But, faith sails steady. Just wait - it's there...

    I should have taken a little poll on this one -
    Half-empty folks vs. Half-full folks. Either way, there's some water in that glass! And, as Christians, that water is LIVING WATER!!

    GOD BLESS - talk to you soon!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)