THE POND BY THE WOOD
 
I hiked to the pond early Friday morn
through rain and mist and woods forlorn,
for the winter had torn limbs here and there,
and a heaviness clung to the morning air.
 
I stood on the bank by the meadow bleak
with my head hung low, failed and weak,
for what have I done to deserve great love
from Jesus, the Son of God, above?
 
Small circles spun on the water’s face
when raindrops fell softly to their place,
and clouds swirled free in the pool’s rich depths
when winds encircled off Heaven’s steps.
 
Then there on the water, the sun came shining!
His words of love to me reminding,
pledging gladness through oaks as the sky turned blue,
and encouraging wonder in all things new!
 
What grace shines upon the pond by the wood!
What joy restored and understood!
For I know Jesus loves me with all His heart,
and from me, it never, nor ever, will part.
 
 
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
 
 
 
THE POND BY THE WOOD
 
We made it to bare ground, here in Veery Glade. I saw one purple crocus bloom. Returning birds are singing in the woods. But the weather forecast says snow tonight! The greening grass here in the glade might be covered once again by a white blanket.
 
Down and out. That’s what we become, sometimes. The strain of life takes its toll. Difficulties arise and make living tough. Frustrations add to an already heavy load. We say things we should not have said. And we do things we should not have done. We fall miserably short and mess up. Again. And again.
 
But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luke 21:18
 
Promises, like circles, go on and on. We can trust God when He says not a hair on our head will perish. Through it all, we depend on His promises. Remember that beautiful song Through It All written by Mr. Andrea Crouch? Through it all, we learn to depend upon God’s Word.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14
 
Focusing on God’s grace can help lift the strain of knowing our failures. ‘Grace’ comes from the Greek word ‘Charis’, which means “blessing or favor”. God’s kindness, or benevolence, to us is in His choice to bless us even though we deserve curses because of our sin. We don’t get what we deserve. And, we get what we don’t deserve. It helps with our perspective and continuity.
 
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:24
 
Because of God’s grace to us, we can try to be gracious to others, and even ourselves.
GOOD FRIDAY is tomorrow. We remember when our Lord and Savior willingly went to the cruel cross for us. He bore our sin and paid the price. The Son of God satisfied the payment required, once and for all. God gave His Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. Today’s problems are small compared to eternal life.
 
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Titus 2:11-12

When hardship comes and knowing our weaknesses, we should remember God’s words of love to us and His great and precious promises. The dark clouds will pass. The sun will shine again. Isn’t it awesome when the sun breaks through the dreary clouds? So is it when our struggles are alleviated and when we remember God's goodness to us.
 
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11: 28-30
 
It’s during those difficult times that we should pray all the more. Escape to the pond by the wood and fall on your knees. God, the Great Deliverer, knows what we need. He is able to deliver us from our problems and freely forgive. He just wants to see if we will call on Him.
 
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Joel 2:12-13
 
Walk into the woods.
At the pond by the wood, look for the sun and God’s great kindness.