Life music?

(08.31.21– Just Plain Peace –Psalm 18:28 )

My friend, may I ask you a question? If we look up; take a break and sense the "beat" of life that God is offering us, will the work get done better and faster if we stay on that beat?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

As I get older my will to get the work done has actually gotten stronger. I march out on a Saturday morning to take care of the numerous chores around here at Beech Springs with gusto. What has changed, however, is this: I don't have the stamina I once had. That means I'm not able to keep the pace I used to be able to keep when I was younger. Whereas just a short decade or two ago I could put in a solid 6-8 hour day of chores without a break, that isn't possible any more. I pause a lot more than I used to. Whereas that pause may at one time have been more of a stoop, catch your breath, gather your- self and keep going, now it has taken on more of a "where's the nearest place to sit down and apply some ice." The fact of the matter is this: as I get older the pauses are not only more frequent but also more necessary. The work would never get done without them.

Did you know that God uses pauses to get His work done as well?

Here's a story: John Ruskin, an English poet and artist, wrote essays that were extremely influential in the Victorian era. He especially had a way of looking at a peaceful scene and putting it to oil and canvass. He once wrote: "In our whole life melody the music is broken off here and there by rests, pauses, and we foolishly think we have come to the end of things. God pauses us for rest or, perhaps, a time of sickness and disappointed plans, and makes a sudden pause in the hymns of our lives. Not without design does God write the music of our lives. He expects us to learn the time, the beat, and not be dismayed at the pauses. If we look up, God will beat the time for us, it is only ours to pause when He asks." (John Ruskin)

Our lives are like a musical score; that's what Ruskin was saying. There's a built-in tempo of "work-achieve-move on" built into every life. But it isn't the accomplishment that really gives us a sense of contentment in life. It's the built-in pauses God has orchestrated in all of our lives that does. King David, a man who was one of the greatest achievers in the history of mankind, wrote this Psalm verse: "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light" (Psalm 18:28). I often recall this Psalm verse when I'm in the midst of a chore and my energy is running thin. Thankful for the pause and the time to recoup, I know it's just a matter of time before I will be restored and back on my way. Has your life become tedious? Are you weighed down by length and weight of the tasks before you? Look up; take a break and sense the "beat" of life that God is offering you. The work will get done better and faster if you stay on that beat.

We pray. Heavenly Father, our lives are like a musical score; with a built-in tempo of "work-achieve-move on" built into every day. We know Lord that it isn't the accomplishment that really gives us a sense of contentment in life, but it's the built-in pauses you have orchestrated in our lives that does. Dear Father, when we’re in the midst of a chore and our energy is running thin, remind us that it is time to pause, look up and give praise and thanks to You. Help us to be thankful for the pauses and the times to recoup, because it's just a matter of time before we will be restored and back on our way. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Life music?

(08.31.21– Just Plain Peace –Psalm 18:28 )

My friend, may I ask you a question? If we look up; take a break and sense the "beat" of life that God is offering us, will the work get done better and faster if we stay on that beat?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

As I get older my will to get the work done has actually gotten stronger. I march out on a Saturday morning to take care of the numerous chores around here at Beech Springs with gusto. What has changed, however, is this: I don't have the stamina I once had. That means I'm not able to keep the pace I used to be able to keep when I was younger. Whereas just a short decade or two ago I could put in a solid 6-8 hour day of chores without a break, that isn't possible any more. I pause a lot more than I used to. Whereas that pause may at one time have been more of a stoop, catch your breath, gather your- self and keep going, now it has taken on more of a "where's the nearest place to sit down and apply some ice." The fact of the matter is this: as I get older the pauses are not only more frequent but also more necessary. The work would never get done without them.

Did you know that God uses pauses to get His work done as well?

Here's a story: John Ruskin, an English poet and artist, wrote essays that were extremely influential in the Victorian era. He especially had a way of looking at a peaceful scene and putting it to oil and canvass. He once wrote: "In our whole life melody the music is broken off here and there by rests, pauses, and we foolishly think we have come to the end of things. God pauses us for rest or, perhaps, a time of sickness and disappointed plans, and makes a sudden pause in the hymns of our lives. Not without design does God write the music of our lives. He expects us to learn the time, the beat, and not be dismayed at the pauses. If we look up, God will beat the time for us, it is only ours to pause when He asks." (John Ruskin)

Our lives are like a musical score; that's what Ruskin was saying. There's a built-in tempo of "work-achieve-move on" built into every life. But it isn't the accomplishment that really gives us a sense of contentment in life. It's the built-in pauses God has orchestrated in all of our lives that does. King David, a man who was one of the greatest achievers in the history of mankind, wrote this Psalm verse: "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light" (Psalm 18:28). I often recall this Psalm verse when I'm in the midst of a chore and my energy is running thin. Thankful for the pause and the time to recoup, I know it's just a matter of time before I will be restored and back on my way. Has your life become tedious? Are you weighed down by length and weight of the tasks before you? Look up; take a break and sense the "beat" of life that God is offering you. The work will get done better and faster if you stay on that beat.

We pray. Heavenly Father, our lives are like a musical score; with a built-in tempo of "work-achieve-move on" built into every day. We know Lord that it isn't the accomplishment that really gives us a sense of contentment in life, but it's the built-in pauses you have orchestrated in our lives that does. Dear Father, when we’re in the midst of a chore and our energy is running thin, remind us that it is time to pause, look up and give praise and thanks to You. Help us to be thankful for the pauses and the times to recoup, because it's just a matter of time before we will be restored and back on our way. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.