I rarely venture into the book of Hosea. It's not a source of oft-quoted verses. But this morning, I started reading it as part of my book-by-book bible reading.
The prophet Hosea married Gomer, a prostitute. At one point, Gomer wanted to go back to her first husband maybe because he was a better provider. The verses that followed resonated with me:
Hosea 2:8, Amplified Bible
"For she has not noticed, understood, or realized that it was I (the Lord God) Who gave her the grain and the new wine and the fresh oil, and Who lavished upon her silver and gold..."
What a great reminder to us to acknowledge the ultimate source of all that we have and all the blessings that will continue to come our way. Every day I check my mail, I encounter invitations to know more about this and that way of achieving financial independence, finding ways of increasing revenues and becoming rich. Nothing wrong with that. I believe that God desires to prosper us at it says in Jeremiah 29:11. But it can get overwhelming at times. What to do. What business to get into. Where and how to invest. So many messages that seek to clarify but collectively confuse. Confuse to the point of paralysis. Then we need to remind ourselves that the means to prosper is not as important as the Provider of that prosperity, the one we need to seek first before all things.
Thank You, Lord, for being the one true source I can rely on. Thank You, Lord, for making me the daughter of the richest, wisest King whose love for me is never ending and never failing. He will bless me abundantly.
The True Source
Much to be Grateful For
Tonight, I read the saddest lines. From a short story in Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies. A story of falling out of love, of a marriage shattered because of the loss of a child. A dull ache filled my heart as I empathized with the characters in the story. The story struck a chord because of my own situation of childlessness. I understood that feeling of apathy for domestic pursuits; the seeming senselessness of trying to be a perfect housewife when you can't even fulfill one of the major requirements of the job.
I know it's just a story. But it caused me to look at our own situation. In the story, this tragic loss broke the marriage.
In my reality, it would be innaccurate to say that our situation has not affected our marriage and that there is no sense of loss, of something missing, of a life incomplete. There is a gaping hole, an ache that only God can fill. But I can say, at least, that our marriage is strong enough. And I am grateful that our marriage is more than just about having babies. Our relationship is bigger than our expectations and dreams. And our God is greater than anything else in our life, present or missing.
I am grateful. There is much to be grateful for.
And this is why I'm starting a new blog. In my mind, it is not a new one. It's been percolating in my head, and simmering in my heart. I've been wanting to write this -- part gratitude journal and part reflecting board to think aloud and rethink things. I don't know why it took me this long to start it. But here it is.
Psalm 34 resonates. This is what this blog is about. I will boast in the Lord.
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.