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Take Heart


“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
          What out, tomorrow 2018 will be here, ready or not! Are you ready? I’m not. December has been busy even without celebrating Christmas. I feel like I’m on a gerbil wheel that’s not in my head (where they’re generally welcome.) I don’t have any goals beyond “make it through the day.” It wouldn’t be hard to set the usual goals, but one has to take the time to do it.
          No, I must say again that my life isn’t all that hard. I don’t have that much trouble, but it’s more trouble than I want, and it’s really not looking like I’m going to get help. I’m not the only one, of course. We all have troubles. Jesus promised us we would. It’s part of life and while we tend to like to think otherwise, Jesus tends to bring blessings into our troubles and through our troubles. The troubles of this past year and this past month have brought me to places I never wanted to go and never thought I could go.
          Next year is going to be a challenge for both of us. I’m going to have trouble and so will you. Jesus said to take heart because He has overcome the world. Our encouragement isn’t because we’re going to overcome the world. Perhaps this poem will help you to take heart.
My Five Smooth Stones
My five smooth stones, they missed their mark today.
The giant laughed and went his scornful way.
and I, left dazed and bloody on the field,
can only say that I refused to yield,
for all the good that did, I slowed him not
No vict'ry song, it's better off forgot.

Your five smooth stones, they missed their mark today
But mine flew straight, they did not go astray.
Your ego's wound will let your soul be healed,
and from the worst my mercy did you shield.
The battle won was not the one you thought
But standing there you did not do for nought.

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