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Hinds' Feet (Prelude)


      Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.... (Habakkuk 3:17-19a)



          He said, “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”  (Job 1:21)


          These verses came to mind recently as a friend talked about a song that was part of her wedding. (Link: Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord) As I read them again, I read them in light my circumstances, and I think they are going to be my verses for the next couple months. 
           Once, I had hinds' feet. I enjoyed running. My body won't tolerate running any more but I'm walking. By this time next week, I will lose even that. I'm trusting that the loss will be temporary, but what He gave, He is taking away. I'm not quite sure how to bless His name in that. Oh, I can say "Blessed be the name of the Lord" but until I get there, I don't know how to do what will bless Him. I'll get there, and when I do, I'll bless, but it's like saying, "When I get to the White House, here's what I'm going to do" or "If I was ever attacked by a __________, here's what I'd do" when you've never been there.  I'll find out soon and you'll probably hear about it because everything is fuel for a writer's pen.
          In taking Habakkuk 3:17-19a (especially) as my theme for the next several weeks, I am facing a different sort of challenge. I'm not an exultant sort. I'm not someone who tends to rejoice. At least, I don't do these things in obvious ways and especially not for extended periods. I'm not sure I'm quite Eeyore, but  I'm not Tigger. I'm especially not Tigger when my whole world narrows down to the experience of pain. But the verse says that I will exult and I will rejoice. I looking forward to seeing how Eeyore exults and rejoices.
          I also don't know what it's going to look like that the Lord is going to be my strength. I think one place I will need to see His strength is with regard to my attitude. There are things that I'm concerned about that I'm just beginning to think, "It's going to be interesting to see Him provide."
          Perhaps the greatest part of this adventure is with the hinds' feet. When you lose a foot (temporarily), how does God provide hinds' feet, beyond the fact of the healing of the toe? Will my high places be of my imagination? Of my will? Of my intellect? Of my heart? Of my spirit? Will Christ be transfigured before me?  Again, all this is fuel for my pen because it's only half a blessing until it's shared. 

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On The Calendar
Arbor Day (Last Friday in April)

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