Not Knowing

894. Not Knowing

By Mary Gardiner Brainard

Not knowing the things that shall befall me there.—ACTS XX. 22.

I KNOW not what will befall me: God hangs a mist o’er my eyes;
And thus, each step of my onward path, He makes new scenes arise,
And every joy He sends to me comes like a sweet surprise.

I see not a step before me as I tread on another year;
But I ’ve left the past in God’s keeping,—the future His mercy shall clear,
And what looks dark in the distance may brighten as I draw near.

For perhaps the dreaded future is less bitter than I think;
The Lord may sweeten the waters before I stoop to drink;
Or, if Marah must be Marah, He will stand beside its brink.

It may be He keeps waiting, for the coming of my feet,
Some gift of such rare blessedness, some joy so strangely sweet,
That my lips shall only tremble with the thanks they cannot speak.

O restful, blissful ignorance! ’t is blessëd not to know;
It keeps me still in those mighty arms which will not let me go,
And lulls my weariness to rest on the bosom that loves me so.

So I go on not knowing,—I would not if I might;
I would rather walk in the dark with God than go alone in the light;
I would rather walk with Him by faith than walk alone by sight.

My heart shrinks back from trials which the future may disclose,
Yet I never had sorrow but what the dear Lord chose;
So I send the coming tears back with the whispered word, “He knows.”

A Quarter Thankful

Three months ago, I had been given a chest of drawers by a family who was moving out of state. I had used the bottom two drawers only to store a few linens as I prepared for an upcoming move of my own. With my move only three days away, I, in turn was donating the chest to another family, with a quick last minute drawer check prior to pick-up time. Lo and behold, what should I find but a quarter in the

top drawer! I chuckled to myself and thought that perhaps GOD had deliberately stashed this, and that it probably made up the lack of what was necessary for a load of laundry. Just out of curiosity, I went to my coin purse and checked. Sure enough, I had five quarters! With this sixth newly discovered treasure I was able to do one final load of laundry before flying out! Isn't GOD marvelous! I love that sense of humour!

Empty Key Chains

I hold in my hand an empty key chain. No keys, no car, no home are among my possessions. Yet as I was contemplating this new phenomenon, I realize that I do have something that does not show up on a key chain, seemingly invisible. That is, the goodness of GOD, a life lived for Him, to be pleasing in His sight with the imperishable qualities of a gentle and quiet spirit. The phrase "in His sight" refers to the fact that He sees all, everywhere, every moment, which in turn means that I need to be pleasing Him in all things, everywhere, every moment. He will record my actions that are done exclusively for Him and will reward accordingly. I need not be concerned with tomorrow as long as I daily apply these principles.

25"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
30"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
32"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34

Make No Moosestake!

What decadent culinary deliciousness!

Although that sentence may seem a redundancy, believe me; it is not!!

What I refer to is a simple matter of beef stroganoff, and yet, it simply is not beef stroganoff. First I started with browned moose steaks cut into ribbons, sauteed portabello mushrooms, leeks, garlic, salt, beef broth reduction, whole grain Grey Poupon mustard and thick sour cream. All this baked in a low oven for two hours while the house filled with the delightful and amazing aroma!

Oh joyous senses! What mouth-watering succulence as I ate the 'near' stroganoff over a bed of Montebello pasta (produced in Isola del Piano, Italy since 1388)!

The flavour and aroma were positively memorable! I defy that even the Italians would be hard pressed to create such exqusite shoe leather!!

Well Doing

Oh Dear!

True to it's mission of "Building Charcter...One Story at a Time", I have come across another gem with a beautiful truth to learn and share. This quote is from the book 'Clean Your Boots, Sir?'

"Look here, remember this: you do your best where you are, and that will fit you for doing something better when GOD shows the way; and there are golden opportunities in most people's lives."

This came as such a sweet reminder to not grow weary in well-doing. Just keep living for the Lord and allow Him to work in you and through you!

Seep'ifme

As I lay nestled on the floor of two little boys in my care, watching the starless night shining bright as day, I heard a little voice quiver and call for his mama. I snuggled up next to him and rubbed his back in the hope that he would return to blissful slumber. As his breathing became methodical and heavy, I stole back to the warmth of my bed, but he bolted upright and said "Snuggle'. I returned to his side and resumed my attempt to lull him. Almost immediately, his breathing was sleep derived, waiting just a moment longer before stealing to my now cold bed.
I had barely pulled the covers over my feet when the little voice spoke once again, saying 'Seep'ifme'. This time when I layed beside him, he entwinned his small fingers into my hair with the other hand just above my heart. He called my name many times, roaming his hands to make sure that he was holding me before resuming a firmer grasp.. I reassured him when he spoke, soothed him in the silence and watched his face as it pressed close to mine.
This child needed nearness, something he unconsciously craved despite his sleep talking state.
Of course, I was glad to oblige him as I realized that not only was I comforting this child on a human level, but GOD himself was accomplishing the same with me, yet with far surpassing abilities. What a delight! I was reminded of the words to the hymn 'Abide with me' and offered them in supplication.

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From whence shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

He Who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He Who keeps Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not smite you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

The Lord will protect you from all evil;

He will keep your soul.

The Lord will guard your going out and coming in

From this time forth and forevermore.

A Must Read

I just finished reading 'Joel...a boy of Galilee' by Annie Fellows Johnston and was amazed at how beautifully woven this story wrapped around the life of Christ on earth. The tender perspective from this little crippled boy as he struggled with not only the lameness, but the source of it and the bitter revenge that consumed him, until he met this most singular Rabbi.

Read this story and look at Jesus in a new light.

I Need a Hero