Relax It’ll come together
God has everything Under Control
Be still, and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10
A little story for you today…
One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later sell to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter explained that the purpose of each tree is contained in its natural shape: some are straight for planks, some have the proper curves for the ribs of a boat, and some are tall for masts.
The woodcutter told his grandson that by paying attention to the details of each tree, and with experience in recognizing these characteristics, someday he too might become the woodcutter of the forest.
A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it down because it was useless for boat building - there were no straight limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were going the wrong way.
"We could cut it down for firewood," the grandson said. "At least then it will be of some use to us." The woodcutter replied that for now they should be about their work cutting the proper trees for the boat builders; maybe later they could return to the old oak tree.
After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs.
After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of everything in the forest and in the world. Some things are readily apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper curves in the limbs.
And some things might initially appear to have no purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree. The woodcutter stated, "You must learn to pay careful attention every day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.
"Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover."
Author Unknown
GOOD MORNING !
I loved that story so I thought maybe you would too. Everything and everyone has a purpose and what we often think of as useless has great value indeed.
Resting in the shade of a big old tree is inviting to most of us. If we’ve known the heat of working all day in the sun, it’s value grows tremendously. Although work is something I do conscientiously, I do value relaxation and rest too. I’ve been so tired some days that my bones ache from it.
My mind also rebels when I’m tired and I can’t think straight at all. If I’m suddenly forgetting things and nothing goes right, I know then that it is time to take a break. We are only halfway through this week today and already my mind is like a sieve. Thoughts flowing right through and nothing being absorbed.
It could be time for a break, but it won’t happen til Friday after work. Meanwhile I can be thankful that this is the last busy day at work and the rest of the week is slow and easy going for the most part. It’s like a ‘Piece of Cake’ as they say.
Too bad they need me there to tend the office while everyone is out and about, I could easily do this job in 3 days.
My prayer book mediation yesterday said we should say the following prayer often:
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness that we may shout for joy and gladness in all our days Psalm 90:14
So often as the day breaks, in flood the cares of the world: the unresolved entanglements, the incomplete work, the undiagnosed ache or pain. Would it be wonderful if the kindness of the Lord flooded in at the same time?
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, O Lord.
It also said ‘Feel like shouting for joy yet? Perhaps you might want to pray those words again and again.’ OK, I got the message loud and strong and am praying this little prayer again.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, O Lord.
Have a great day!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward.
Spanish Proverb
May your summer months be joyous and fun…
And above all, blessed with love,
Ma
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5 comments:
What a wonderful entry today ,I wouldnt say your mind was like a seive when you put this entry together ,quite the reverse ,As the Grandfather taught every thing has a reason for being ,just as everything that happens is for a reason ,though we may not see it at the time ...love Jan xx
A great story. My youngest son is a minister and he has always loved the elderly. Even as a young teenager he greeted a lady in a wheel chair and hugged her. The elderly has commented to me about how sincere he was. One gentleman has to tell us the story of James shaking hands with him every Sunday, at the age of 5, and telling him who he was. lol I am blessed that he still loves the elderly and even loves children, he was a youth minister first for a year.
I am a nervous person and work very fast and intense. I told myself to slow down just recently and am surprised at how much more I am getting accomplished running in a lower gear. A saying that my Granny use to say... "I am running in the low running gears of a grasshopper." lol Hope your week goes by fast and you are able to rest your mind and body even at work. God Bless, Janie
Sometimes it is hard to wait on an answer to
prayer. Like the old adage, "Lord, teach me
patience, but HURRY!" If we can just rest
and clear our minds, sometimes the answer
comes through, loud and clear. Relax, Pat
God has everything under Control... I love that....
Linda :)
good post, so true..hope the rest of the week goes by quickly for you.
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