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, down and weak,
for what have I done to deserve great love
from such a Savior and King above?
 
Circles spun on the water’s face
when raindrops fell softly to their place,
and clouds swirled free in the pool’s dark 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 did not have much snow this past winter. It’s given the animals a chance to thrive—all the way from chickadees to whitetail deer. Today in Veery Glade, I was thrilled to hear the male chickadee sing his two-tone call. I look forward to many birds returning, filling the woods with song.

God is able to hear our prayers. We must be diligent in our communication practice as a musician is in her playing of her instrument or any other skill acquired by training and discipline. Turn worries into conversations with God. Turn frustrations into prayerful pleas. Call on the LORD, as people did in the Bible years ago and as people do today. He looks to see who will. 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121: 1-2

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

Luke 21:18

Promises, like circles on the pond, 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

Pray at the pond, remembering God’s grace. ‘Grace’ comes from the Greek word ‘Charis’, which means “blessing or favor”. God’s kindness, 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.

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24

Because of our Redeemer, we can be gracious to others.

We remember when our Lord and Savior willingly went to the cruel cross for us. He bore our sin and paid the price. Jesus, 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.

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, remember God’s words of love and His great and precious promises. The sun will shine again when the sun breaks through the dreary clouds. God is able to alleviate our struggles. He is ever faithful.

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

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 our sins through the blood shed by Jesus.

Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Matthew 21:5

At the pond by the wood, remember Christ’s meekness.