Sunday, December 14, 2014

Sunday Afternoon Tea - Take Heaven, Take Peace, Take Joy


I salute You!  There is nothing I can give you which you have not;
but there is much, that, while I cannot give, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.
Take Heaven.
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant.
Take Peace.
The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. 
Take Joy.
And so, at this Christmas time, I greet you, with the prayer that for you,
now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.
Fra Giovanni
A.D. 1513

I was asked a question by my husband this past week.  He was wondering why certain circumstances in our life were not bothering me as they did him.  I thought for a moment and told him, "It's because I have put boundaries on my disappointments".

He looked startled, it was not what he expected to hear.  And to be honest, as the poster child for the melancholic temperament... he most likely wonders why someone would do such a thing.

Perhaps that is why this Advent Season has been more joyful than those in the past few years.  Either I have become comfortable with the new normal or by placing boundaries on those disappointments of life, it has enabled God to fill my heart with joy.  Most likely a combination of both.

I have long enjoyed the above quote by Fra Giovanni*.  It appeared in my Advent reading again this week as well as in Tasha Tudor's beautiful DVD Take Peace, which I watched a couple of times again this Season.  It inspires that part of my soul that loves all things lovely.  But back to the quote.

For me, the advice given so beautifully reflects what God has been teaching me in that still small Voice. Long ago He showed me how... should I have nothing else to give Him... I can lay my attitude at His altar.  That choice between bitterness and defeat or choosing to thank Him for what good things He has given.  The trust that God will work all things together for my good and His glory.

But Fra Giovanni's message takes all a step further as we are reminded it is up to us what we do with the given circumstances, how we choose to accept them that can make all the difference.  And as for me... I take Heaven, I take Peace, I take Joy.

There is something about God's design on the human soul which I find quite remarkable.  That is quite often... not always but often... we can change our emotions by choices we make.  

For instance, I can be quite gloomy but if I choose to put some lovely Christmas music in the CD player, I may feel better.  Music alone cannot by any means change circumstances but it has a power within to encourage my soul's thoughts from dark to light.  It helps us to take Joy.

Last year I was having conflict with people I love.  They had quite unintentionally hurt me deeply.  When talking to my daughter about the situation, she reminded me that I could choose to remain hurt or offer them forgiveness.  The way that situation would turn out was up to me.  I chose forgiveness and it changed everything.  I took Peace.

Many years ago I was a teenager crushed by life's circumstances.  An acquaintance I went to school with invited me to a revival meeting at her church.  I learned later that they were told to ask the least likely person they thought would say yes.  She chose me.  I said yes.  And at that church, I found Jesus.  I took Heaven.

The world becomes darker each year it seems.  More of the ways of the enemy and less the ways of the Lord.  A couple TV stations have been playing the Christmas episodes of shows from the 50s and 60s.  It is with nostalgia that I have watched a few, for the episodes... even the comedies... show the Christmas seasons of old as much more Christ glorifying.

But that is where your choices come in, and my choices, and what we do with each December.  

Do we go with the flow of the Culture and ignore Him?

Do we give into our circumstances when they are less than perfect and stomp our feet and cry into our pillow and tell Him if that is the what you are allowing in my life... forget Christmas this year!

Or...  do we accept the knowledge that we are not living in Heaven, yet.  Neither are we living in the New Earth in all its' Glory.  No... we are but pilgrims and sojourners walking on this most fallen of planets.

But we can be a reflection of Heaven and its' Glory to all around us.  While our faces may not shine as did Moses when he returned from the mountain, we can reflect at least a little of His Joy, His Love, His Compassion, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness... His willingness to be obedient to the Father.

The battle may rage in this world.  But He really does win.  Whatever is going on in your life at the moment, He is at work in your situation.  You have not been forgotten.  Hold on.  Christmas is here but Easter is coming. 

My prayer this Season is that you, too, my friends will Take Heaven, Take Peace, and Take Joy.  And then lay them at His feet as an offering of thankfulness for what He has done in the past, the mercies He is showing in the present, and the hope that remains in the years to come.

*The entire letter from which this quote is excerpted can be read here.

Image:  Winter Scene

13 comments:

Judy said...

Oh my, just this:

"should I have nothing else to give Him... I can lay my attitude at His altar."

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your lovely Christmas posts, I so enjoy them. I think it may have been through a Tasha Tudor site that I first learned of your blog. However, when I saw your mention of her "Take Joy" I skipped through your widget and purchased one for myself. Can't wait to see it! Thank you!! Donna :)

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

About putting boundaries on disappointments, I too have learned the value and great joy that comes from not letting 'sorrow' usurp joy.

A lovely post, Brenda. Your words shine in dark places.

Wishing you a beautiful day....
Brenda L

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much! I really needed to hear that.
"I can lay my attitude at his altar."
Yes!!!

The Journey said...

wow talk about a lightening bolt- Ithink this one was for me. As per our conversation- I do believe God gives you the right things to say. -- Boundries-- So for me I copied this our and printed it- sent it to a friend who will identify. Thank-you Brenda for me used by God to speak right things.

Vee said...

Amen and Oh me and please thank your husband for allowing himself to be blog fodder. Ha! Mine usually enjoys it, but every now and then...

GrammaGrits said...

Love your words about putting "boundaries on disappointments". Speaking next year at a retreat and my topic is "Boundaries" so you can be sure that thought will become a part of one session, and I will cite your blog in it. Thanks! I must take "every thought captive" to do this and so appreciate your words. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I really needed the words you spoke today.Some of my kids are coming home for Christmas it is a sad one this year and I have been praying for them.I told them we have to celebrate because its Christ's birthday but our hearts are broke and joy is hard to find.I lost my oldest daughter Sept.5 2014 she left behind a Mom Dad and 5 siblings.You have encouraged me and now I can help them.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Oh yes! I just love this!

We can choose Joy, Peace and Heaven, and our attitude! It's not always easy but when we keep our eyes on Him its easier!

I'm loving your joyful spirit this Christmas season!

Deanna

Anonymous said...

Choosing to forgive...though in many cases I think it means this is something between ourselves and GOD alone, because with some to even mention you forgive them (after all whatever would THAT be needed for?) would be to start WW3! And I like your term about "putting boundaries on disappointments". Nice! Some griefs are so hard...but remembering what Ecclesiastes says about there being a time for this and a time for that, etc. And one reaches a place and can say, "Enough, no more grieving." With GOD's help of course. Wishing you the best and hoping you will find some nice surprises along the way too. Joy comes in unexpected packages sometimes...
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Thank you again, Brenda, for speaking wisdom to all of us. I needed to hear this today.Thank you.

Angela said...

Thank you! Just what I needed this morning in the midst of holiday hoopla that is leaving me depressed and annoyed. I can choose otherwise. Praising God for you and your words of Christian encouragement.

Kimberly said...

This is so very wonderful!!!! I've not been reading online for awhile with all the move stuff, but I had a few moments and wanted to pop in. I'm so glad I did!