still.

my dear friend emmy, is wise beyond her years. she has taught me many things & i love that Jesus knew we would need to be friends. this morning she sent me an excerpt from the writings of elisabeth elliot. it was true and good. elisabeth is one of those spiritual heroes that i wish i could sit and have a cup of coffee with. i had forgotten how much i love her eloquent words until emmy sent me that message. so i spent a little time this evening reading through some highlighted pages of her writings that i have read over and over again. 

elisabeth is a woman that trusted in Jesus in a way that i yearn to. her words are inspiring, challenging, and just good.  may you each find a little time to curl up with one of her books. 

she concludes quest for love with a collection of her "cautionary tales" i found them to be so good for my soul tonight & i hope the same goes for you...

"aim, above all else, at loving God.

make a wholehearted surrender of your life to God.

believe that He takes you at your word.

do not be surprised at the opposition of the adversary

pray, making your requests known to God. 

watch. 

expect Him to give you what He knows is best for you. 

receive His answer for today. 

trust His timing. 

obey God in the least thing shown. 

commit your uncertainties and fears to Him.

act on principle, not on impulse; will, not emotion.

accept the demands of your masculinity or femininity. 

remember that to take up the cross means suffering. 

do not walk into temptation. flee. 

make a commitment to be not merely careful but chaste.

confide in and seek help from an older christian. 

be grateful for your assigned portion. 

praise & sing to the Lord. thank Him for everything. 

keep a quiet heart. 

do the next thing." p.248, quest for love: elisabeth elliot

sometimes we talk about how we need to trust God and mostly in reference to those "big" things in our lives. but maybe we should just start saying, as i once heard, "Lord, help me to trust you with the next 10 minutes." i want to trust him. i want to love Him & people more & better. i want to be a woman of grace who trusts Him even when He seems untrustworthy. i want to love even when it's hard. 

i'm learning trust.

i'm learning love.

i'm learning grace. 

still.