Diane's Blog

AND WHEN OCTOBER GOES….

(from a Manilow song) 

Diane’s October Zinnias                                                                     October 2016

Oh, the blissful blue October skies!  And the warmth of an autumn sun!  I feel invigorated by it all and wish October would never end.  But, I want to enjoy each day while I can and not concentrate on the impending winter winds!  However, without the cold of winter could I fully appreciate the seasons of warmth?  Probably not.  I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!

Much like wondering how cold and bitter the winter might be, I find myself wondering about other things to which I might not be looking forward…like November!!   Perhaps we all feel a bit that way as we suffer through the Presidential campaign.  I feel like, “okay, I want this to be over now…. enough already!”

Sometimes I am heavy-ladened by the sadness of the world… sometimes even impending doom.  I mean, I really let it get to me.  I could even list a number of things that might cause you to wonder ”Why in the world does she worry about THAT,” but I do; or “Why does THAT make her sad?”  But it does.  I am getting better at leaving it all to Heaven, but I have to practice every single day.  If I leave the tiniest crack in the door, in comes the “overwhelmingness” (it’s actually in the dictionary).  I know I need to quickly say, “Lord, I am leaving this with You; You know all about it and though I might not be able to change it, it isn’t out of Your control.”  You know what, that really does work! 

That verse, “Be still and know that I am God”, has been interpreted as “keep still”.  Oh my, very hard for me!  And the second part…well, I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is God and He is sovereign.  But to connect that with keeping still…another story!  So, do I trust God or don’t I? Well, of course I do, but doesn’t He need me to worry and fret to make things work out? You already know the answer to that, Diane!

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), Finland’s best known Romantic and early Modern period composer gave us the wonderful classical tone poem, Finlandia.  He was said to have written it to help his native Finland to gain a spirit of nationalism during its struggle for independence from Russia.  Later this well-known melody was adapted as the famous hymn, BE STILL, MY SOUL, lyrics by Katharina von Schlegel, who penned them in the 1700s.  Did she realize just how appropriate they would be in the 2000s?

I don’t believe there is another hymn that is more meaningful to me, particularly in those moments of doubt, fear, sadness and worry.  When my dear mama (Queenie) left this earth there were days when I played this over and over again and I still do!  I want to give you these lyrics.  Please read them, verse by verse, line by line, word by word, and let them soak in and calm your mind and soul.

1-Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide, through every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2-Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past. 
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.                               

3-Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart; And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart, who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay from His own fullness all He takes away.

4-Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord;
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past; all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

These lyrics are filled with a HOPE that is based on God’s word and God cannot lie! That is the antidote for worry, don’t you think?  So, I am taking these words with me day by day and particularly into the voting booth will these selected ones be a comfort:

• Leave to thy God to order and provide, through every storm He faithful will remain.
• Thy God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past.
• Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
• Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart, who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

AMEN!

Diane   (I’d love to hear from you!)