Simply Holding on and Trusting Him for 2006

I have read this poem over and over during this past difficult year. To some, its words may seem unbearably harsh, even cruel. But to those of you who have also spent time on the anvil, you will understand why it has brought me both hope and peace. As I move into the new year, I pray that my time in the furnace is nearly done. But if not, then I pray that I may at least be a testament of God's grace as He continues to give me just enough strength and courage to make it through.

Pain's furnace heat within me quivers,

God's breath upon the flame does blow;

And all my heart in anguish shivers

And trembles at the fiery glow;

And yet I whisper, "As God will!"

And in the hottest fire hold still.

He comes and lays my heart, all heated,

On the hard anvil, minded so

Into His own fair shape to beat it

With His great hammer, blow on blow;

And yet I whisper, "As God will!"

And at His heaviest blows hold still.

He takes my softened heart and beats it;

The sparks fly off at every blow'

He turns it o'er and o'er and heats it,

and lets it cool, and makes it glow;

And yet I whisper, "As God will!"

And in His mighty hand hold still.

Why should I complain? for the sorrow

Then only longer-lived would be;

The end may come, and will tomorrow,

When God has done His work in me;

So I say trusting, "As God will!"

And trusting to the end, hold still.

~ Julius Sturm

The Year of the Anvil

Well, 2005 is coming to a close. It's hard not to think back over the events of this past year without some sadness. However, there are moments in my memory that are liberally sprinkled with the dust of happiness and joy and so, in the spirit of Christ, I'd like to reflect on these first. This year saw my little baby growing into a little boy as he learned to walk and talk and show his temper and say "I love you" and stomp his feet and charm everyone he meets. This year will always be remembered as the year I went back to university and earned four A's and a B+ after not being in school for 16 years! (It's amazing what a little maturity and a healthy dose of motivation can do for a formerly rotten student!) It will be the year that the Lord loved me enough to chastise me and call me back to Himself in a way that a gentle hand could never have accomplished. It will be the year that I began to discover who I am and what I want to achieve in this short span of time we call our lifetime. This year will be the year I discovered who my true friends are and how important the love and support of family can be in time of crisis. These are lessons that I will never, ever forget and am so thankful that I have learned them before I am out of time. 2005 will be the year that I discovered that I have more patience, hope, love, endurance, courage and strength than I ever would have thought possible for me to have and so I will also remember it as the year I truly learned that 'all things are possible with Christ'. And finally, it will be remembered as the year of sorrow, loss and loneliness. But even these memories will, in time, become cherished ones as I see my life laid out on the anvil, pounded and hot from the fire finally taking on the shape that the master designer intended for it to have all along. God bless you all in the coming year and may He fill your hearts with love, hope and peace as you seek to live your lives for His glory.

Love Becky

One Semester (almost) Down, 4 To Go!

Hey everyone...I'm in the home stretch, final exams starting Monday the 12th and then, FREEDOM for about 23 days! I'm so sorry I've been away for so long. I just got overwhelmed with papers and reading! After spending hours studying, I just couldn't face logging on to blog. Thanks to all who have continued to pray and send me encouragement! You are all in my thoughts, somewhere between English Lit 334 and Theories of Personality 310! :)
Hugs to you and I promise to write over Christmas!

Love Becky