JHWH jireh and let us never forget that

This morning's mental fog discouraged me, so preparatory to reading today's passages from the Bible I picked up one daily devotional after another, scanning the May 31 selections and getting a little encouragement, a little peace, from the likes of Amy Carmichael, Charles Spurgeon, Sandra Mansfield Wright, today's hymn from my tattered hymnal. In the process I began straightening the scattered books on the messy shelf and came across one of my old journals. Don't remember why this was out of place. Let's see, what year was this? In the book, which was given to Cal and me by saint Craig Lyon August of 1995 were a couple of old letters from friends, a photo of

our completed family in the house at Hepburn Gardens which I now intend to draw as a Fathers' Day gift for Cal, and a few entries from the beginning of our days in Scotland. But not much else. Until a few entries from 2002, one of which I'll share below, and then mostly blank pages for most of the book. 

May 24, 2002 Pinky here for a visit. We'll take Dad & Bryants out for supper tonight. 

In Sunday night's sermon or eucharistic homily (on Psalm 4) Pastor Campo made reference to our remembering the things God has done for us in the past as a way toward encouragement in the midst of discouragement. This has pushed me toward uncovering a journal for keeping track of such things or of making now a Book of Remembrances--at least one memory/day if not fresh grace to write about. Since that intention I have had several thoughts--only finding this book last night in my pursuit of this goal.

First, I thank God for the hymns of the Church. One memory is sitting on the front porch steps in Chattanooga putting on my tennis shoes in order to walk in the early morning dark with Penny Lubben and Ruth Earnshaw. I was early or Penny was late & a tune was running through my head. Only, as often happens, I didn't know what the song was. I grabbed a hymn book & counted out the meter. Eventually my search paid off & I found myself singing, memorizing the words to "I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art" or "Now Unto Jehovah Ye Sons of the Mighty". How many times this has happened (this last week it was "Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus") and how often were the meditations of the words exactly where my heart was or exactly the preparation I needed for the day ahead. Thankyou, Loving Father, for this form of communication with You....

May 30, 2002 Another memory. But first: Karen came over today. She had an OB check & didn't want to take her kids so left them here, returning for lunch, & staying to chat the afternoon away. She's just about a week from delivery. How thankful I am to have witnessed God's gracious blessing on their lives--Jim's job, this new child, decisions in the right direction though slowly & not without the natural trepidation. God give me faith for them. God, please grant them more and more faith!

The memory: sitting on R's bed, watching her tearful, trusting make-up smeared face & loving her so much--a love from Christ. Praying for her faith in God & asking Him to give her to T. whom she finally loved. What wonderful things God has done! Yes, we were a part, but ONLY a small part. How many parts there were! And now they're five months away from having their first child. How much, how many time things seemed so impossible for her--the mess of her family relationships, Lymes disease, her beliefs....about not pursuing a career but waiting for a marriage, serving the church. Her self-doubts & resentments toward me. Thank God for this illustration of His love & power & patience & grace. 

So much more in these few pages to remember now of God's presence and gracious lovingkindness to us in the midst of life in earlier days. From Moses' commands to obedience in today's reading of Deuteronomy 4 is verse 9: Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren...especially concerning the day...the Lord said to me, 'Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children...'

Thank you, dear Craig, for this book you gave us most certainly for our journaling use in the Scotland sojourn. And thank You, dear Father, for the provision of more blank pages to use, now that my current journal is about used up. May I turn my thoughts to thanksgiving for Your daily and gracious provisions!