GOD'S BOXES

I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black
And all your joys in the gold".

I heeded his words and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.

With curiosity I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why.
And I saw in the base of the box
A hole which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God and mused aloud:
"I wonder where my sorrows could be?"
I asked: "God why give me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with a hole?"

"My child, the gold is for you
To count your blessings,
And the black is for you to let go".

- Author Unknown

GIFTS OF FRIENDSHIP

If gifts of friendship could be counted

Like small shells beside the sea;

I would own an endless shoreline

Of the joys you've given me.

- Emily Dickinson

IF I CAN

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

-  Emily Dickinson

A REFINER AND PURIFIER OF SILVER

 "Some time ago, a few women met in a certain city to study the scriptures. While reading the 3rd Chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the 3rd Verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver". One woman proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling the object of her errand begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "But sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?". "Oh yes, Madam", replied the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured". The woman at once saw the beauty, and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver". God sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure. Before she left, the woman asked one final question, "When do you know the process is complete?" "Why, that is quite simple", replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished".

THE WEAVER

My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me.

I let Him choose the colours,

He worketh steadily.

Oft times he worketh sorrow

And I in foolish pride,

Forget He sees the pattern

While I see the under side.

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why,

The dark threads were as needful

In the Weaver's skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

- Anonymous

THE CHALLENGE TO BECOME

"A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to the child: 'All that I have I desire to give you - not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you but that which I am you must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and my stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.' Many Bible and modern scriptures speak of a final judgment at which all persons will be rewarded according to their deeds or works or the desires of their hearts. But other scriptures enlarge upon this by referring to our being judged by the condition we have achieved."

- Dallin H. Oaks

WAIT

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried: 
          Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.

I pled and wept for a clue to my fate from the Master who gently said:
           "Child, you must wait".

"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply. 
           "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
            By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your word.

My future and all to which I can relate hangs in the balance, 
             and you tell me to wait?"

I'm needing a 'yes', a go ahead sign, or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
             I'm weary of asking!  I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate as my Master replied once again:
             "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut and grumbled to God:
             "So, I'm waiting....for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine, and He tenderly said: 
              "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun. I could raise the dead,
               and cause mountains to run.

All you seek I could give, and pleased you would be. You would have 
               what you want - but, you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint:
               You'd not know the power that I give to the faint,

You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair:
                You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me, when darkness and silence
                were all you could see;

You'd never experience that fullness of love as the peace of My 
                Spirit descends like a dove;

You'd know that I live and I save....(for a start),
                 but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night;
                 the faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked of an infinite God,
                 who makes what you have last.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
                 what it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true;
                 but, oh, the loss, if I lost what I'm doing in you!

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see that the greatest
                 of gifts is to get to know Me.

And though oft may My answers seem terribly late;
                 My most precious answer of all is still "wait".

                 - Author Unknown