Acceptance-With-Joy

Much Afraid has been in the wilderness. Her Shepherd has taken her to view crushing scenes through a portal.

*Grain being crushed to make bread.
*Clay being shaped by a Potter.
*Metal being heated and formed for perfect use.

Each of these being a picture of what our Lord uses in our lives to get our attention. They seem cruel and hurtful, but must be done in order to shape us for His perfect purposes.

As Much Afraid finally accepts this, I must too.

She is now ready to leave this desolate place. As she gazes out over the emptiness she spies a small yellow flower. There are no watering holes, nor seeds, nor birds to sow the seeds. She wonders where this beautiful touch has come from. As she arrives closer she asks this refreshing creation, who she is and where she comes from. Her answer?

"I am Acceptance-With-Joy".

I, again, shut the book, a little more slowly this time to ponder this. Not only is my Shepherd asking me to trust Him, but now He is asking me to accept all that He has for me...with JOY...

The next layer of my heart has been exposed....I find myself begging Him for help as I know what I must do.