….and verse….
This section is devoted to my favourite pieces of religious scripture, verse and text from all sources, not just the Holy Bible.
Today I received a poem from a friend who ’saw this and thought of you’. I was deeply touched…
The Flower of Comfort
There is a flower of comfort in the garden of life
Which all of us long for at times
It’s so lovely to find a flower such as this
It embodies exquisite designs
It radiates warmth when the heart is chilled
When the soul is an aching void,
It rekindles the flame of life once more
When it seems that all’s been destroyed.
Like gentle arms it caresses
It’s perfume breathes kindness and love,
Hope that seemed lost returns once more
You feel new strength from above.
How often we find in Life’s Garden
Midst all the sunshine and showers,
A bloom for every occasion
And comfort is one of those flowers
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by John Osborne
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***
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For the last six months or so this verse has been a pivotal part of my life. Not far into my faith I realised that life wasn’t always conducive to quiet times of prayer and contemplation. I found this frustrating as it was during these quiet times that I felt closest to God and more able to ‘hear’ him. This verse was given to me through a book [Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World ~ Weaver] and confirmed/s for me that everything I do right down to the laundry is a form of worship and that God is never far away from me, it is just I that moves further away from Him sometimes!! I find great comfort in this.
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“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV
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…..the example used is to illustrate this is of Br Lawrence, new to the monastic life, who finds himself assigned to kitchen duties. He is not impressed. Eventually however, he decides to “do everything there for the love of God, and with prayer…..for his grace to do his work well,”.
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“The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and the in noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons at at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament”
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…. excerpts taken from “The Practice of the Presence of God” ~
by Br Lawrence
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This verse from Collosians also strikes a similar chord with me..
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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,”
Collosians 3:23 NIV
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***
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There is no doubt
that you are called
God calls you
according to the unique person
you are made to be.
.
In fact, God calls you
to the very best place
and way of life for you.
It may not be the easiest place
in the world to be
or the simplest thing to do.
But it is where you will be
most at home
most at rest within yourself
and best able to serve Jesus Christ,
This is taken from www.vocationquest.org
I found this when I was searching for my vocation in life. It really hit home.
***
Now I know
that all I have lived
has spoken to me of You,
Lord, all that I live now
I live with You
Vitorchiano Trappistines
***
One of the readings taken from Jim’s funeral: ~
13 If only you would hide me in the grave
and conceal me till your anger has passed!
If only you would set me a time
and then remember me!
14 If a man dies, will he live again?
All the days of my hard service
I will wait for my renewal to come.
15 You will call and I will answer you;
you will long for the creature your hands have made.
Job 14:13~15
***
This piece of scripture was given to me just after my ‘calling’ when I was praying alot about why I’d been called and it’s been quite relevant often since….
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
***
Oh, I love that poem!
May I “borrow” it and lnk back to you?
Lots of love,
Mrs.P xx
Oh yes, absolutely. Please do ~ it’s nice to share the love around xx.