WIT TO WIN
He drew a circle to shut me out... but Love and I had the wit to win: we drew a circle that took him in!—Edwin Markham
I've had a bad year. I'm feeling very tired and bruised right now. But as I cleaned the house and prayed this weekend, I felt such a comforting sense of the love and protection which encircles me every moment. I cried for the nth time that week, but these were tears finally of relief, peace, happiness. I have SO MUCH love given to me. SO MUCH.
Even on the worst day I've had in a long while, I had so much to be thankful for:
I am thankful for my God, he who knows me best and loves me most. It is the most incredible and sustaining surprise of my life.
I am thankful for my family, every one of whom knows me inside-out, loves and supports me, wants to protect me, and gives me wise counsel.
I am thankful for the kind people who comforted me and sent me home with well wishes when I broke down in public with fatigue and hurt.
I am thankful for a sister who made me part of her plans for the afternoon, knowing I was too depressed to be productive at the house.
I am thankful for a friend who came to visit, bearing gifts, knowing I'd had a horrible day. Even knowing nothing of the circumstances, she was led by God to say so EXACTLY what I needed to hear. She helped my heart stay tender when I wanted it to be hard.
I am thankful for another friend who helped me end the day well, joining my sisters and me for a thoroughly delightful night on the town: sushi, art galleries and ice cream.
I am thankful for a brother who has been very gentle with me, and makes sure I'm okay and that we're good.
I am thankful for the family of Christ, particularly the congregation with whom we break bread, who welcomed us ‘officially’ to their fold on Sunday. To the soaring organ we sang: ‘We will walk with each other, we will walk hand-in-hand... And they'll know we are Christians by our love.’
Love has won me, and I can be so thankful for that.
It's not been given me to win others over, something this first-born ‘fixer’ finds very difficult to accept. Sometimes people are ready to say goodbye before you are. I have learned, I must continue to learn, it is enough for me to love. Not to convince. Not to make myself understood. Not to draw people close when they need their space. Just to love.
Love is patient. Love can wait, because it will never cease.
To all who read this {and to myself}, I want to say: Stay soft-hearted. Stay open. Take that risk. God will heal your hurts. Love will win.
{I haven't been posting much here, because I've been too darn busy for original content outside of work emails, reports, interviews, lesson plans, study groups, etc. etc. etc... I'm still active on my Google+ page, though! Visit for more regular updates on me and my interests. See you there!}
• This is a good illustration of my year. •
June 9, 2015