Such a great poem! Kudos to your husband on the blacksmith journey as well! I've watched a many 'Forged In Fire' episodes on the History Channel--an epic warrior show. But as you say, there is this journey to strength. As our adversary continually tries to convince us of our weaknesses, God allows that refining. An old school evangelist named Smith Wigglesworth was said to have awakened from bad dreams to find the devil seated in a chair at the foot of his bed. His remark? 'Oh, it's only you', and went back to sleep!
Haha yes, Forged in Fire has been a part of his research! And I like how you put that, that God "allows" that refining. I think lots of times I feel or hear people say "why is God doing this to me?" But the idea of Him simply allowing, not inflicting, refinement (while, I believe, never leaving our side) is a powerful one. I love that story about Mr. Wigglesworth! "It's only you" 😂
There is such a huge difference between God allowing and inflicting anything. Maybe I'm contradicting myself though because I entertain the possibility that grace may be actively offered to us.
Defeat is the only poem that David and I know all the words by heart to. For his last birthday I had a sweatshirt embroidered with a hawk moth on the front, and ‘bold companion’ across the back. The poem actually feels like a dear friend of ours, so I love that you and your beloved are also close friends with it! Thank goodness for poets, and trials, and strength, and friends 🤍
That is such a fabulous birthday present! I might have to steal the idea for a gift for Tanner, he would love it. Defeat does feel like a close and dear friend! The poem, but now, because of the poem, also defeat itself. It's incredible how words can color life, and I'm so glad I don't have to rely solely on my own palette! It's had such an impact. And yes, thank goodness indeed, for all of those things. What a difference they make.
Such a great poem! Kudos to your husband on the blacksmith journey as well! I've watched a many 'Forged In Fire' episodes on the History Channel--an epic warrior show. But as you say, there is this journey to strength. As our adversary continually tries to convince us of our weaknesses, God allows that refining. An old school evangelist named Smith Wigglesworth was said to have awakened from bad dreams to find the devil seated in a chair at the foot of his bed. His remark? 'Oh, it's only you', and went back to sleep!
Haha yes, Forged in Fire has been a part of his research! And I like how you put that, that God "allows" that refining. I think lots of times I feel or hear people say "why is God doing this to me?" But the idea of Him simply allowing, not inflicting, refinement (while, I believe, never leaving our side) is a powerful one. I love that story about Mr. Wigglesworth! "It's only you" 😂
There is such a huge difference between God allowing and inflicting anything. Maybe I'm contradicting myself though because I entertain the possibility that grace may be actively offered to us.
I love the dream/ devil in the chair story.
Defeat is the only poem that David and I know all the words by heart to. For his last birthday I had a sweatshirt embroidered with a hawk moth on the front, and ‘bold companion’ across the back. The poem actually feels like a dear friend of ours, so I love that you and your beloved are also close friends with it! Thank goodness for poets, and trials, and strength, and friends 🤍
That is such a fabulous birthday present! I might have to steal the idea for a gift for Tanner, he would love it. Defeat does feel like a close and dear friend! The poem, but now, because of the poem, also defeat itself. It's incredible how words can color life, and I'm so glad I don't have to rely solely on my own palette! It's had such an impact. And yes, thank goodness indeed, for all of those things. What a difference they make.
Without periodic defeat, how can we fully comprehend triumph?