STEADFAST

Gloria Phifer

I am joining the FMF bloggers. We write for five minutes on one word. The word this week is "Steady."

THE STORM BY  GLORIA PHIFER

We have all heard the phrase "Steady does it." But sometimes "steady" is hard to find.

With ups and downs; the ebb and flow of life; to be steady or steadfast is hard to do. Especially on your own.

I have found in my own strength...it is hard to stay "steadfast" in a difficult circumstance.

My husband had a heart attack a year and a half ago. It was like standing on the outside and watching myself...I couldn't seem to get it together...let alone be "Steady or steadfast." I even told myself "Get it together Gloria!" 

When I left him at the hospital (they kept him over the weekend and he had a stint put in on Monday) I was crying, it was dark and it was raining..(.I don't see very good at night to drive anyway. I was praying and I knew friends were praying.)

 I was hard on myself...why wasn't I stronger? Why wasn't I steady. I was listening to the radio and a song came on "Just Be Held." I have listened to the song since then and I haven't heard these exact words...but that night, driving home in the dark rain, crying, I heard "You don't have to strong...just be held." 

I knew The Lord was with me and with my husband in this situation. He would take care of us. And He did. 

Jesus is my steadfastness. He is The One Who holds me together. My own strength fails but He always prevails. 

Thank You Jesus for always being there when we need You. You are our Steadfast Savior Amen.

A ROCK IN A WEARY LAND

THE ROCK IN A WEARY LAND

Gloria Phifer

       In a dry and thirsty land, my frame bent against the wind: struggling to find a place

Of rest.  My strength was weakening. Should I lie down and let the dust storm cover me?  Was the struggle too great?

       I cried out, "Oh God…help me!"

My feet trudged on. I covered my face, against the grains of sand, which plummeted me.

Was it a mirage?  I shielded my eyes with my hands from the burning wind.

 Could  it be a Rock in this terrible storm?  With renewed strength, I focused on the image

in the distance. Ignoring the force of the wind and sand pelting my being, I struggled on.

       I fell against the Rock.  It was not a mirage. It was real.  A Stabilizing Strength in

the storm.

       I breathed heavily, regaining my strength.  The Rock held me up. Clinging to its surface, I made my way behind.  The Rock was a Refuge, a Shelter…a Stronghold against the storm.

       I had found the Great Rock in a weary land.

Isaiah 32:2 A Man (Jesus) shall be as a

Hiding Place

from the wind and a covert from the tempest. As rivers of water in a dry place. As the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land.

Are you in a storm?  Are you stuggling?  Run to Jesus, The Rock, He will be a Refuge for you.

He cares for you... 1 Peter 5:3 Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you!