No, I did not intend for this much time to intervene between part 1 and part 2! But lest any more time elapse...
Soon after getting back from Cuba, it was time for Christmas break. Everyone at Ouachita Hills knows what happens during Christmas break -- GYC. This year my younger sister (Carli) and I were flying to Seattle, WA, attend the meetings. I was eagerly anticipating the time alone with my teenage sister. The last several years I've been away from home more often than not and this sister-time was long overdue. Not only did we both thoroughly enjoy our time together (despite my getting the flu!), but I had an added joy. My sister made a decision to give her heart and life to the Lord! My heart is still singing!
I came back to ... well, as the principal said, there's only been one year in the history of OHA where the disciplinary committee has met more times than it has this year. Much of this year has been the proverbial nightmare. We've lost several students so far (for various reasons, some completely unrelated to school). My heart aches over each one. One of my dear friends was reminding me recently that we cannot see the impact that has been made on these students. Even when it seems we've completely failed to impact a student, or anyone for that matter, we won't know until heaven what the Lord was able to accomplish through us, despite our flaws. I'm so glad our God is so powerful!
Love's Harvest
Love bestowed is never wasted,
Though sometimes it seems to be.
With our vision, dimmed and clouded,
We cannot see eternity.
I cannot count the grains of wheat
Resulting from one plant, can you?
But there is One who counts each grain
And sees more future harvests, too.
Harvests that we cannot see
Of souls redeemed from Satan's snares;
The ones we thought would never change,
Would never learn Christ's robe to wear --
This is the harvest we cannot see;
Love Himself must tend these seeds
Within the hearts that seem as stone.
His grace alone can meet their needs.
The grace that won this heart of mine
Is strong to reach their hearts as well.
Stones will yet yield to the strength of Love's seed
And each heart will become a fruitful dell
Filled with the harvest Love brings forth
In the hearts of each that yield to His hand.
The love that we give is but reflection dim
Of the Love that came from that heavenly land.
Though time after time we've rejected His grace,
Christ's love for us remains the same.
His love is not wasted, not one little bit.
He'll use ours, too, to honor His name.
Someday, when we reach Canaan-land,
We'll see the harvest Love brought in.
Keep pressing on; reflect Christ's love;
He'll complete the work He's begun within.
Soon after getting back from Cuba, it was time for Christmas break. Everyone at Ouachita Hills knows what happens during Christmas break -- GYC. This year my younger sister (Carli) and I were flying to Seattle, WA, attend the meetings. I was eagerly anticipating the time alone with my teenage sister. The last several years I've been away from home more often than not and this sister-time was long overdue. Not only did we both thoroughly enjoy our time together (despite my getting the flu!), but I had an added joy. My sister made a decision to give her heart and life to the Lord! My heart is still singing!
I came back to ... well, as the principal said, there's only been one year in the history of OHA where the disciplinary committee has met more times than it has this year. Much of this year has been the proverbial nightmare. We've lost several students so far (for various reasons, some completely unrelated to school). My heart aches over each one. One of my dear friends was reminding me recently that we cannot see the impact that has been made on these students. Even when it seems we've completely failed to impact a student, or anyone for that matter, we won't know until heaven what the Lord was able to accomplish through us, despite our flaws. I'm so glad our God is so powerful!
Love's Harvest
Though sometimes it seems to be.
With our vision, dimmed and clouded,
We cannot see eternity.
Resulting from one plant, can you?
But there is One who counts each grain
And sees more future harvests, too.
Of souls redeemed from Satan's snares;
The ones we thought would never change,
Would never learn Christ's robe to wear --
Love Himself must tend these seeds
Within the hearts that seem as stone.
His grace alone can meet their needs.
Is strong to reach their hearts as well.
Stones will yet yield to the strength of Love's seed
And each heart will become a fruitful dell
In the hearts of each that yield to His hand.
The love that we give is but reflection dim
Of the Love that came from that heavenly land.
Christ's love for us remains the same.
His love is not wasted, not one little bit.
He'll use ours, too, to honor His name.
We'll see the harvest Love brought in.
Keep pressing on; reflect Christ's love;
He'll complete the work He's begun within.
Amen. Your poem truly spoke to my heart. I've felt the same before, that my work was of no effect. So encouraging to know that it is His work, and that He's not done when one of His projects goes out of my reach. He's just pausing to pick up another tool with which to continue His work. :) See you soon!
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord! I'm so glad that He's in charge of His own work - and workers. :) Keep looking up! See you soon :D
DeleteRebekah! It was good to hear what's been happening in your life :)I look forward to seeing you in 15 days :D
ReplyDelete