Comments on: The Skittle Lined Path

By: “The Skittle-Lined Path” « Mercy Shall Follow Me

“The Skittle-Lined Path” « Mercy Shall Follow Me — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:33:46 +0000

[...] post is called “The Skittle-Lined Path” and when I read the first line, I smirked to myself. It was exactly what I had been [...]

By: H. B.

H. B. — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:23:20 +0000

Wow. I love that quote by Baxter, I'm going to have to keep that one.

What keeps me going in challenging and uncomfortable circumstances is the hope that God is using it for good. I especially hold on to 1 Peter 1:6-7:

"for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Kind of like excersizing, the burn doesn't feel that good. But, in a kind of love-hate sort of way, you can choose to view it as a pleasant discipline when you remember that through it God is making your faith tested and genuine, and precious to him, and you remember what the result will be–glory and honor at the revelation of Christ.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:40:51 +0000

Keys – I really like your explanation of the verse in your comment. Very helpful!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:47:41 +0000

Yes. I should have made that explicit instead of implicit.

By: Petra Hefner

Petra Hefner — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:23:31 +0000

Ditto! Although it's not always the same scripture, there always seems to be the right scripture for each and every circumstance, strengthening my faith. I believe that Our Lord will neither leave nor forsake us, not just because this promise appears several times throughout God's word but also because I 'know' it; my heart experiences its truth because He speaks to me and comforts me through scripture.

I also think Keys' response is super encouraging! Thanks for the insight!

By: stanknrankn

stanknrankn — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:54:03 +0000

Thanks for this great post Stephen and on my birthday too no less!

What encourages me in the midst of trials is God's truth. He knows all my days even before I was born and nothing that happens is outside of his plan for my life. He is my Father who sacrificially gave His Son for me so that I would know God as Father. And finally, although trials come in all forms and can be brief or life-long, He is for me and not against me because of His great love towards me.

By: saraandfam

saraandfam — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:35:11 +0000

This is SO good! Thank you for taking the time to post this.

By: reformedgirl

reformedgirl — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:04:19 +0000

Stephen,
As a mother of three kids, two of which loved to cry and cry as little babies, much of it when I wished I could have been sleeping, I know the exhaustion, et al. I've only just come through it in the last 6 weeks.
On a practical note, I found the book the Baby Whisperer to be helpful in helping me show compassion to this baby that was "wrecking" my sleep.
One thing in particular: Roll screaming baby to lie on her side, wrapped snuggley in blanket. Bend low to her available ear and say, "shush, shush, shush" over and over while gently but firmly patting her middle back. Supposedly newborns cannot concentrate on crying while hearing the shush sound and having their backs patted. Of course, if she's hungry this won't work. But time and time again this proved to be the only calming effect on a tired baby that was screaming my ears off.
Hope you find something to ease your little ones' discomfort. It does get better. If it didn't, I wouldn't have three!
Heather

By: StephenAltrogge

StephenAltrogge — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:49:55 +0000

Wow that's a great phrase. God never gives us scraps of grace. I need to remember that.

By: StephenAltrogge

StephenAltrogge — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:49:33 +0000

I can relate to being grateful when I see what others are going through. I am so blessed to have a baby that is healthy! So many would desire to even have a baby that cries through the night.