Faith-forge...

This poem is inspired in part by a few stories I recently read or am reading...the stories of , , , and now, !!Also, the story of (the excerpt below esp.) Heb.12:1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, The beautiful 'cloud of faithful witnesses' that encompass us challenge, inspire and encourage the ongoing stories of our own lives/faith still being written!Take heart, fellow-friend!Stories of faithfulness cannot be written in a hurry! I began this poem yesterday morning, but it was not a poemthat could be quickly spilled....then tot-care gobbled up the day! Last night my energy and concentration tank was so completely depletedto the point of feeling like I was getting sick (but a good night's sleep resolved)so this is yesterday and today's poem! Below: a Celebrate-the-Very-Brief-Splash-of-Sunshine-with-a-Hot Chocolate-'Picnic'! The answers that we seek in our hurry oft seem slowWhen faith’s posture is weak, not meek but impatient to knowDoubt and desire wrestle as God tests love’s utmost part(To be His chosen vessel is not for the faint of heart) The high call of surrender grants no accolades unearnedFaith’s Author and Perfecter leaves no stumbling block unturnedBut moves in ways contrary to sight’s acumen and whimGod’s rebuke necessary to expose wants not of Him Encompassed by a cloud of witnesses, faith’s legions shineAs God fulfilled/revealed His promises and purposes divineWhile waiting-seasons refined trust and taught them to endureAnd be obedient because God’s Word is just and pure/sure What sometimes seems like pleas ignored or forgotten by GodOr futile ‘waiting on the Lord,’ is oft discipline’s rodTo dredge the depth of the heart’s measure where His Word should beTo test the timbre of the treasure only He can see What masters of disaster mortal’s lack of patience provesWhen we choose to move faster than God's higher way behoovesWhen foolishly we plunder gates still barred to our requestBlind to redemption’s wonder waiting to reveal His best God's providence instilling/fulfilling holiness, makes no mistakesHe tugs at ties unwilling until pride's resistance breaks And probes the hold that still denies Supreme AuthorityUntil faith's utter boast replies 'not I, but Christ in me' © Janet Martin 2 Tim2:3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.