“If then we have angels, let us be sober, as though we were in the presence of tutors; for there is a demon present also.”
― John Chrysostom
Human beings, when confronted with the strange and inexplicable, have an immediate instinct to get back to the accustomed and the normal. We do not hug our miracles close; we put them hastily away, preferring the commonplace to live with it. It is as if some compulsive hand wipes clean the wall on which the handwriting appeared.” Fulton Oursler
(Cherub relief found within St Colmcille Church, Dumcliff / County Sligo, Ireland / Julie Cook / 2015)
The journey has been long as you now find yourself winded,
growing more and more weary with the setting of each day’s sun…
Thoughts of tomorrow and one more day are almost more than you can bear.
The energy and the strength, which were once easily called upon at will…
simply no longer available.
Maligned
Belittled
Mocked
Forgotten
Tired
Weary
Empty
Yet pressing on is really the only option…
Business as usual as you wade through the motions of the routine
Can you bear to manage one more season?
The joy has faded into the common
The noise of the worldly drowns out the sublime
Too much, too little, too late, too soon
The secular now shines the brightest
With your frustration overshadowed by the Darkness.
Hopefulness waits at the window staring out onto the confusion
An unseen hand is offered when most needed
A smile appears to fend off the cold
The chill is thwarted by the inviting fire
Encouragement offers a welcoming blanket
This journey has long been previously traveled,
As comfort resides in the familiar.
There are no surprises to the unseen…
No hurdles that haven’t been previously crossed.
There are those who have gone before you…
and those who will continue to come from behind.
The journey is never really lonely
As we never travel truly alone…
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4:12-19
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
This is inspiring. Thanks!
awesome…and then some!
Thank you so much for such kind words –blessings and hugs
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thank you my friend—happy Advent
You’re very welcome my Sister in Christ and Happy Advent to you and yours!
We don’t travel alone for God is with us. The communion of saints also accompany us reminding us that we must “continue to do good”! Blessings and prayers that we may discern what God is calling each of us to do.
Especially appreciate ‘the joy has faded into the common………….’yet……………
There is much food in the tillage of the poor. Life and scripture reveals the simple yet deep things of merit, yes?
Nice post J.
yes indeed my friend 🙂
And this is yet another stellar post from Georgia! Ya know I’m starting to run out of appropriate adjectives for the excellence you’ve been cranking out. And then in response to my post today, your comment was far greater than my post. So I consider myself incredibly lucky to be not alone on this journey of mine when I remember that Jesus is always by my side and that somewhere in Georgia dwells a treasure who walks this world with me. Amazing, my friend, you are simply amazing! Love and hugs, Natalie 🙂 ❤
now I don’t know if I’d say all that….
As always, love the quotes. So true and so often overlooked are the Little miracles that happen all the time. Sometimes the miracle is simply that we are given the help and strength to carry on when to take another step seems impossible.
I am often wary when people start talking about angels as they seem to ignore the fact that there are both good and bad angels. After all a third of the stars were swept from the sky.
I do not say thank you enough to my guardian angel for keeping me safe from all around. So I want to thank you for the little reminder.
Such a good reminder—I agree about the talk of angels—as there is indeed darkness hiding where there is also light—it seems folks are so quick to want “angels” in their lives as they are so desperate for that which is beyond them, that they grasp outward to anything “supernatural”—it is good to remember to question and consider ones own hidden needs and wants—most folks seem to love the idea that there are “fairies” positioned along ones path, sprinkling good and magic along the way all the while forgetting that there is really a battle of spiritual warfare taking place all around us—but for the believer and non believer as well, we are each precious in His sight and He longs to have us all home—may we all learn to see the signs that He has placed along our individual paths—blessings to Ireland this first Sunday in Advent
I love this Julie. Read part of it on Natalie’s post, then came over to read the full post here. A few months ago this would have described me so accurately, but today I can say God has blessed me with healing and acceptance, and I am now able to live a normal, peaceful lifestyle, content in the knowledge that He is there for me at all times of the day. He always answers my prayers, but I don’t always listen to the answer, because when it is “no”, I don’t want to hear it. He has given me the strength now to bless Him for all the times He said “YES” and just forget the times the answer was No. The no’s were for my benefit. Thank you for this post. Hugs, Angie
you’ve put a smile on my face Angie 🙂
hugs and blessing to Kentucky
I too am a newly retired teacher having been in the classroom for 48+ years. Sometimes we find ourselves with new issues to deal with in retirement. There are many chapters to this bumpy road called life. Thanks for sharing.
Wow-48 plus years– my hat is off to you!! yep, new challenges- different to be sure but truly a new adventure and a new chapter – blessings as you take on the new challenge
Likewise to you and many thanks. I didn’t know I would enjoy writing this much. I taught German and had a passion for teaching. Good luck to your future endeavors.
that’s funny as I too have really loved the writing that the blog has afforded me. I taught high school art with every principal always telling me that they would have pegged me as an English teacher, a far cry from an art teacher…I think it had everything to do with my unassuming conservative appearance 🙂
I had always wanted to write, telling my kids had I stayed at UGA any longer, I wouldn’t have been their art teacher as I would have gone into journalism 🙂
So after about 8 months into retirement, I figured I’d give blogging a whirl.
And as for German—my greatest regret and frustration is my inabilities to master a language—as I’m not that great with my native tongue 🙂
During my last year at school I went for IB training out in New Mexico where I met and befriended a woman who taught at an IB school in England. She is German, who was teaching French to American kids at a boarding school south of London and is married to a Finn—talk about heinz 57! and I was amazed by her mastery of such a myriad of languages.
I had the good fortune of visiting Berlin 3 years ago—loving my time in Germany and always looking forward to returning—I look forward to reading and sharing more with you as I will now go visit your blog 🙂
This will be a fun journey for both of us. The Europeans speak so many languages and with such ease. I taught French for a few years but with five degrees in German, my love for German was there. New Mexico is beautiful country. From age 10 on, we moved from Massachusetts to Colorado where I grew up and went to college.
my former student who actually stepped in taking my place when I retired is now there in Colorado–Denver teaching art–a big world just keeps getting smaller 🙂
Small indeed.
Many Blessings for Christmas Julie and for the New Year and as you seek Jesus to guide you into all Truth may you experience His Love, Peace and Joy in abundance.
“Christ”mas Love from both of us – Anne.
and many blessings to you as well Anne—joyful joyful we adore Him!!!