Monday, March 4, 2013

Lesson Learned

"Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.” (C. S. Lewis)

I stumbled on this quote via Facebook last night and paused long enough to remember that lessons learned from experience tend to be painful. Not so much physical pain, although some are, but most carry significant psychological and spiritual pain or angst. This may sound a bit morbid, but I’m not sure I want to forget the pain. I’m afraid that if I do, I will forget the value of the lesson learned and repeat the mistake.

While wandering my own path and doing life my way without an earthly father to guide me, my heavenly Father stood on the ramparts waiting for me to return to His house. When I did, He lavished me in His grace and mercy. He needn’t have condemned me; I did enough of that on my own. He forgave and treated me as if I had never left. For that, I am eternally grateful.

About a month ago, I came across a prayer by Thomas Maclellan written June 7, 1857. It has become part of my journal:

I now fall down before Thy throne and prostrate myself at Thy footstool… O God of Heaven, record it in the book of Thy rememberances that from henceforth I am Thine forever. I renounce all former lords that have ever had dominion over me and consecrate all that I am and all that I have, the faculties of my mind, the members of my body, my worldly possessions, my time, and my influence over others, all to be used entirely for Thy glory and resolutely employed in obedience to Thy commands as long as Thou continues me in life.

May it be so…

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