Questions Answered

These past few weeks have been kind of quiet here at the cabin. Honey has spent his time learning what he can about pellet stoves and trying to get this new beast to produce the maximum amount of heat on the least amount of pellets. It’s been a real learning experience for both of us. He has stated more than once that he has learned more about this particular stove than the guy who built it. Just when he was making headway, his boss called him to come back to work. There’s a local project that is in dire need of material and since we haven’t been getting snow and the roads haven’t been posted yet, they are calling all the trucks back in on a day to day basis. I miss having him home, but we are thankful for the work.

A few weeks back I mentioned that our winter trip had been canceled and we didn’t understand just why God didn’t open that door for us after we worked so hard toward the goal for so long. I’m starting to see a small fraction of situations and circumstances that would have made the trip disastrous if we had gone. It makes it easier to trust God through the next trial when we are able to look back and see how He has guided and protected us in the past. It’s still awful difficult to accept His way when it doesn’t line up with what we think should happen. But, I’m learning to walk by faith one baby step at a time.

For days on end, I spend too much time practicing with the dulcimer. Let me tell you, this is just plain FUN! At night, Honey will read the news on the internet and I’ll sit and strum the old Gospel hymns that I’m learning. For those brief moments in time, all is right with the world. The first song that I actually committed to memory is the old hymn “Farther Along”. As I was learning it, I realized that the song actually answered so many of the questions that I had been asking God. I want to share the words of this tune with you. Read closely and see if God doesn’t answer the “Why” question for you too.

1. Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder,
Why it should be thus all the day long.
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.

CHORUS (Same tune as verse)

Father along we’ll all know about it;
Father along we’ll understand why.
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

2. When death has come and taken our loved ones,
Leaving our homes so lone and so drear;
Then do we wonder why others prosper,
Living as sinners year after year.

CHORUS

3. Often I wonder why I must journey
Over a road so rugged and steep;
While there are others living in comfort,
While with the lost I labor and weep.

CHORUS

4. “Faithful till death,” saith our loving Master,
Only a while to labor and wait;
All of our toils will soon be forgotten
When we sweep thru the beautiful gate.

CHORUS

5. Soon with the Lord, our wonderful Savior,
We’ll be at home beyond the blue sky;
There we shall meet the dear ones awaiting,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

CHORUS

I just heard Honey drive up. I guess it’s time to start supper. Have a good night, and May the Lord bless you.