Ready to Run

I’ve sat for hours reading our passage this week (Romans 8:12-17), looking at commentaries, typing sentences that did not turn into cohesive paragraphs and questioning why I agree to write these reflections! Then the evil one enters the drama and starts telling me: “You can’t write. You don’t have anything to say. You’re not worthy to write about God, inheritance or the Holy Spirit.” So I go to bed with the chorus to Kenny Rogers’ song “The Gambler”:  “You got to know when to hold ‘em.  Know when to fold ‘em. Know when to walk away. And know when to run.”

I was prepared to run, ready to throw in the towel and let the devil have a win. But morning brought a new perspective, just as it says in Lamentations 3:22-23:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

As I sat with my coffee and the fog of a restless nights’ sleep began to fade, the voice in my head said, “you have everything you need”.  I immediately pulled out my laptop and started an Internet search for poems about the Holy Spirit.  My thought was I’d find a poem and that would be my reflection.  I found a poem, began to type but it wasn’t the poem I was typing, it was my experience.  I didn’t think I had anything of my own to share.  Isn’t that just like God, the Father who provides all our needs?  Isn’t that just like the Holy Spirit to guide us and remind us that with Christ “I can do all things” (Philippians 4:13)?  

When I was ready to run, the Holy Spirit said; “Not so fast”.  I doubt, I suffer and in time The Spirit reminds me I am a child of God. When the reality of that hits me, my eyes fill with tears and my heart overflows with love and gratitude for our Heavenly Father. 

-Brenda Wooff

P.S. - Now I know you’d all be wondering, “What was the poem?”

Holy Spirit

by Deborah Ann Belka

[https://poetrybydeborahann.wordpress.com]

Holy Spirit, come to me,
rest right here, inside of me
guard my heart, keep my mind
let it be Your peace, that I find.

Holy Spirit, come be with me,
continually support, all of me
lead my soul, direct my ways
hear the words, my heart prays.

Holy Spirit, come anoint me,
place your seal, right here in me
Spirit of Life, Spirit of Grace
may Your wisdom, I embrace

Holy Spirit, come comfort me,
release and deliver, unto me
all Your might, all Your power
counsel me, every waking hour.

Holy Spirit, my Father’s gift to me,
Spirit of Christ, living inside me
Spirit of God, Spirit of holy Fear
Come whisper truth, in my ear!