a season of rest. and trust.

"Shepherd," asked Much-Afraid earnestly, "tell me why I nearly got into Pride's clutches again, and why Resentment, Bitterness, and Self-Pity have been able to pester me for so long in this dreadful way.  I did not call you before, because they never dared to come close to me or to make a real attack, but they have been lurking around all the time and making their horrible suggestions, and I couldn't get away from them.  Why was it?"

"I think," said the Shepherd gently, "that lately the way seemed a little easier and the sun shone, and you came to a place where you could rest.  You forgot for a while that you were my little handmaiden Acceptance-with-Joy and were beginning to tell yourself it really was time that I led you back to the mountains and up to the High Places.  When you wear the weed of impatience in your heart instead of the flower Acceptance-with-Joy, you will always find your enemies get an advantage over you."

Much-Afraid blushed.  She knew how right he was in his diagnosis.  It had been easier to accept the hard path and to be patient when the sea was grey and dull than now when the sun shone and everything else around looked bright and happy and satisfied.  She put her hand in the Shepherd's and said sorrowfully, "You are quite right.  I have been thinking that you are allowing me to follow this path too long and that you were forgetting your promise."  Then she added, looking steadfastly into his face, "But I do tell you now with my heart that you are my Shepherd whose voice I love to hear and obey, and that it is my joy to follow you.  You choose, my Lord, and I will obey."

The Shepherd stooped down and picked up a stone which was lying beside her feet and said smilingly, "Put this in your bag with the other stones as a memorial of this day when for the first time you saw Pride toppled over before you, and of your promise that you will wait patiently until I give you your heart's desire."

-Hinds Feet on High Places

A dear woman at our campus gave me her copy of this book to borrow over a year ago now.  This book reads my mail each time I happen to pick it up.  Thank You, Lord, for promises fulfilled in Your perfect timing, and please help me to embrace this season of rest...