I Feel Like Talking

Which is a strange thing lately.  Maybe it's the beautiful morning~gray skies, cool with a nice breeze.  Ooooo!  I'm just loving it!  I know you think I'm crazy, but it has been so hot here lately (it's reached the 90's a few times in the past few days - our thermometer said 100, but I think it was off) that this cool day is absolutely refreshing.  Yes.  Ukraine gets pretty hot.  Last summer we reached the 100s in May and stayed there until the week before Sammy was born {an answer to prayer} then soared back up.  I'm beginning to think that Ukraine is a country of only two seasons - cooold winters and HOT summers.  We also have some crazy rain storms.  The other day I was out checking the laundry {skin frying in the scorching sun} and felt a big plop on my arm.  I checked quickly, thinking it must be a present from a bird because there were no clouds.  About that moment we had a down pour.  It has happened like that every day {except yesterday} this week.  The funny thing is, Bree was out walking and Eric had warned her to take an umbrella with her.  She thought "It's too sunny and hot for it to rain!"  Yep. {Think the coolness is bringing out the mainer in me.}  She left it at home and was hit with two rain showers before she got back home.  Needless to say, she has brought an umbrella with her every day since.

I told you I felt like talking.  It isn't just the weather that has revived me.  I'm not ready to tell all yet {maybe soon}, but I have been struggling lately (It isn't anything serious, just thought I should clarify so that I don't have anyone worried.) and I feel like I am finally ready and willing to surrender.   What peace this brings!  What joy!  I know it will still be a long battle and I will still have my moments of discouragement, but I feel like I can make it now...no matter what He requires of me.  I'm like Anna and Lydia when they are first learning to put on their clothes crying "I can't do it!  I can't do it!".  Once they just calm down and take it slow, maybe ask please for a little guidance, they are able to easily put their clothes on by themselves.  Yes.  I have been that bad lately.  I have cried "I can't do it!  Why do you expect this of me?  No one else has to! {not true, but we always say it anyways don't we?}"  In my devotions I have started reading in Hebrews.  This morning sitting quietly on my rocker and enjoying the nice breeze from the window, God calmly reassured me that He was not only here but understood exactly what I was going through!  This is what He said...

"For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;

but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour them that are tempted."

Hebrews 2:16-18

He wasn't made like an angel, or with supernatural power to endure all that He suffered.  No.  He was made like me.  He suffered on this world, in a human body, with a human mind and feelings.  He did this so that He could help me and understand me.  Because of what He went through, He knows my frame and what I can handle.  Even more than that, He will succour me.  {Succour - assistance in time of distress; relief} When I am in distress He may not get me out, but He will provide assistance through it and relief.  What a blessing to know He understands and will always give me the assistance I need to get through every trial - no matter how big and difficult or small and silly {to others}.  He will give me relief of my burden as I leave it on Him.  What peace I can have as long as I lean on Him!

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

Elisha A. Hoffman