Four and a half years have passed since I began the journey of writing devotions, and what a journey it has been! I never dreamed that God would do the work He has in and through me, and it has been a daily blessing. In previous devotions there have been references to times when I took short sabbaticals to have a period devoted to quiet reflection, to study and to write. A “sabbatical” has come to mean an extended absence in the career of an individual to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or travelling extensively for research or, a break or change from a normal routine.
After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to do exactly that, take a break and change from my normal routine, but this will be a longer sabbatical—the month of August—in order to “fill my cup.” Life has been very full, at times stressful, and I feel the need to have a reset, physically and spiritually. Though I won’t be going away, nor will I be spending every day in seclusion, rather, the plan is to take a break from posting devotions on Facebook as well as on the website the entire month and return refreshed with new material from the overflow of a full cup. I trust it will be time well-spent, devoted to reading and writing, as well as praying and listening to the Lord. You will be in my prayers and, in addition, I covet your prayers, dear friends and loyal readers, while I am away and that you will come back in September excited to begin again! The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6: 24-26) <3
The following devotional prayer, “Divine Support,” from The Valley of Vision, speaks so well what is on my heart:
“Thou art the blessed God, happy in Thyself,
source of happiness in Thy creatures,
my maker, benefactor, proprietor,
upholder.
Thou hast produced and sustained me,
supported and indulged me,
saved and kept me;
Thou art in every situation able to meet
my needs and miseries.
“May I live by Thee,
live for Thee,
never be satisfied with my Christian progress
but as I resemble Christ;
and may conformity to His principles, temper,
and conduct grow hourly in my life.
Let Thy unexampled love constrain me into
holy obedience,
and render my duty my delight.
If others deem my faith folly,
my meekness infirmity,
my zeal madness,
my hope delusion,
my actions hypocrisy,
may I rejoice to suffer for Thy name.
“Keep me walking steadfastly towards the country
of everlasting delights,
that paradise-land which is my true inheritance.
Support me by the strength of heaven
that I may never turn back,
or desire false pleasures
that will disappear into nothing.
As I pursue my heavenly journey by Thy grace
let me be known as a (woman) with no aim
but that of a burning desire for Thee,
and the good and salvation
of my fellow (woman and) men.” <3
The Valley of Vision, page 212
