“Behold me! I am Thy little handmaiden Acceptance-with-Joy.”
~Hannah Hurnard ~ Hind’s Feet on High Places
Seasons change.
No matter how much I love the fresh breeze of spring eventually summer settles hot and muggy on the deep south.
I’ve a habit of complaining when sweltering temperatures cut spring short and bring us August in May…
I do that too in life. Complain when things change.
I’ll be 50 this year, you’d think I would have long ago learned to hold Father’s hand and trust where He leads.
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Sometimes my brain gets stuck on a thing. Over and over a word or a phrase will play until I chase it out or let it fill me.
This of course can be both good and bad, but comes in handy I imagine, when God needs me to hear Him.
This week, over and over I’m hearing…
Acceptance-with-Joy.
Have you read the book Hind's Feet on High Places It’s an old book. That’s where I first heard: Acceptance-with-Joy.
?
The name of the main character is Much-Afraid.
Eventually trembling Much-Afraid changes her name. When she does she turns her face to “His face” and she says:
“Behold me! I am Thy little handmaiden Acceptance-with-Joy.”
From Much-Afraid to Acceptance-with-Joy…even in change…that’s my prayer.
I’m still counting gifts…
#626- Seasons in life helping me change my name.
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How do you go from one season to another, with fear, frustration or acceptance with joy?
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I turn 50 this year too. In October. I don’t mind getting older, don’t mind that I am sagging here and there – I do mind feeling like I am loosing my mind. That words used to come quick and comfortably to my writings – are now slow and combersome, somtimes not what I was searching for. I do mind forgetting what I entered a room for, or going back 4 times for my purse. I actually left my wallet at home depot the other day………WHAT????? I do mind my mushy mind. Everything else is just cosmetic/cosmic…..
Sending love and empathy your way.
Happy early 50th! aging does have to be taken w/ a grain of salt doesn’t it?! xo Love your attitude!
MaBWA’s favorite book. Beautiful post, Robin. As always.
You turn 50! Why, you spring chicken! I turn 59 in October. I love that you are taking the attitude of joy. It is something that comes from within. Love and hugs Robin.
Thanks for your uplifting words to start my day! Blessings!
Doing the Dance of Joy on the LIKE button for tarawynn’s comment ~
#626 : )
This was just a gem to read today, and no I haven’t heard of the book. You know, it depends on the season I ‘m going into and it would do me well to approach them all with a little acceptance of joy. xoxo
I stumbled upon your blog today, and I really think it was a gift from the good lord! I needed this today! Thank you! I am taking your post to heart and carrying it with me today!!!!!
Blessings,
Kim
Changing seasons are difficult for me, too. I feel such a loss over what was and have difficulty accepting the new one with joy. It is easy for me to give into sadness and be stuck between seasons as a result. Thank you for inspiring me to Accept with Joy! Did you know no matter how “old” we are chronologically, our spirit never ages and God always desires new and good things for us? Be blessed today! I am enjoying your blog so much 🙂
Kathy…love love love the encouragement about our spirits never aging…wonderful xo
I have read the book, and I am reading it again with my husband. I have struggled all my life with fear. It has really stolen so much joy from the life God has blessed me with. When I find myself in fear I quickly remember the true love of God casts out all fear and I need to be made perfect in love. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I like your list:)
Jacqueline…oh my friend…I too have struggled all my life with fear. Love and prayers your way…xo
OMGoodness you are still a baby! I wish I were 50 again! Enjoy it! Now, when the seasons change it depends which season it is as to how I react. When Spring is late, cool, soggy and dreary it makes me crazy and a little whiny!!!!! I love spring and summer but not too hot! At this age I now love Fall!!!! Used to just dread it cause it meant WINTER was coming. Now I ENJOY every minute of fall and the crisp evenings and wearing fall clothes. I am usually sick to death od my clothes at the end of a season:):) I LOVE “acceptance with JOY!!!!!! Thanks! XO, Pinky
acceptance if good… it is not easy but when you reach it you are happy for a while but then according to my experience you get to an higher level of unacceptance
i found a way not to feel fear but still not accept it as it is… there are answers we are aloud to know them we must ask for answers … thats my openion!
🙂
I was getting a pedicure one evening and chatting with the lady two seats over. I don’t remember exactly what we talked about other than her mentioning that she was going through a difficulty in her life. As she was leaving, she walked over to me and said something like ‘you said exactly what I needed to hear, and talked about how God sends angels to people all the time to help us on our way.’ She then thanked me for being her angel that evening. That moment still sticks with me. I now look for angels … thank you for being my angel this morning. Acceptance-with-Joy!!
Keely…I’m wondering, was I your angel or were you mine? xo
Robin — I’ve been reading some of your old posts this morning, and they are ministering to me so much. Hinds Feet has long been one of my favorites (right up there with Redeeming Love)… God often draws me back to certain chapters. I love Him so. A few weeks ago He told me to read the chapter where she is walking along the shores of the sea of loneliness. This spoke to me so much. Much Afraid is in a very lonely, desolate place and doesn’t understand why it is taking so long to get to the high places-all the set backs, disappointments, postponements to the Shepherd’s promise to take her there. During these last several years I keep asking the Lord how much longer…oh, the waiting is so difficult. The Shepherd tells much afraid “the further delay is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the son of God may be glorified” … (from John 11, just as Jesus told his disciples about Lazarus’ death: “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”) This has given me renewed hope in my struggles. Just wanted to share this little nugget with you this morning 🙂
Carol…I love this little nugget! Thanks so much for sharing with me…xo