(Wikimedia Photo: Graeme Main/MOD)
Like Kenny Roger's sang in his country hit: "You gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold em." Several years ago, something amusing happened when I asked the Holy Spirit for advice in dealing with a longstanding issue. To my surprise, I was shown a card hand:
Play the hand that you're dealt.
My grandmother had taught me many card games as a child. Summer vacations at her home in Indiana were spent around the large oak table in her dining room where she would shuffle and deal a deck of cards in fun games of Hearts, Spades, and Crazy Eights.
Play the hand that you're dealt. What a sobering thought. In other words, don't whine, just do your best with what you have to play with. Lean not on your own understanding.
It made me think about the hand Jesus was dealt. In reviewing the events of his life, I was shown how when the chips were down, God trumped each setback with a victory. No room in the inn for his birth, a quiet cave far from the rowdy crowd gathering in Bethlehem. Herod on his trail, an angel guided Joseph to take his family to Egypt until it was safe to return. Tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40 days, Jesus passed his tests and God sent his angels to minister to him. Alone in the garden in great fear at Gethsemane, his disciples fast asleep. An angel appeared to strengthen Jesus so he could complete his healing mission. The agony of the crucifixion, the joy of the resurrection and ascension. I could see how God used His angels to deliver, protect, strengthen, and fulfill the plan in the life of Christ.
Looking back over my life, I recalled the many ways God had delivered me through all kinds of adversity. And, so He is still in the game. The whole life review process had proved to be healing. Grateful, I felt peace and more understanding in playing the hand I have.
God is the winning Hand.
When I first saw the playing cards in my mind's eye, I couldn't see the actual cards, just the decorative top side. Amusing to find a royal flush in Hearts on the web. What a great reminder to always play our hand with Love and keep God present at the table.
Play the hand that you're dealt.
My grandmother had taught me many card games as a child. Summer vacations at her home in Indiana were spent around the large oak table in her dining room where she would shuffle and deal a deck of cards in fun games of Hearts, Spades, and Crazy Eights.
Play the hand that you're dealt. What a sobering thought. In other words, don't whine, just do your best with what you have to play with. Lean not on your own understanding.
It made me think about the hand Jesus was dealt. In reviewing the events of his life, I was shown how when the chips were down, God trumped each setback with a victory. No room in the inn for his birth, a quiet cave far from the rowdy crowd gathering in Bethlehem. Herod on his trail, an angel guided Joseph to take his family to Egypt until it was safe to return. Tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40 days, Jesus passed his tests and God sent his angels to minister to him. Alone in the garden in great fear at Gethsemane, his disciples fast asleep. An angel appeared to strengthen Jesus so he could complete his healing mission. The agony of the crucifixion, the joy of the resurrection and ascension. I could see how God used His angels to deliver, protect, strengthen, and fulfill the plan in the life of Christ.
Looking back over my life, I recalled the many ways God had delivered me through all kinds of adversity. And, so He is still in the game. The whole life review process had proved to be healing. Grateful, I felt peace and more understanding in playing the hand I have.
God is the winning Hand.
When I first saw the playing cards in my mind's eye, I couldn't see the actual cards, just the decorative top side. Amusing to find a royal flush in Hearts on the web. What a great reminder to always play our hand with Love and keep God present at the table.
Enjoy your day with the Angels.
Love and joyful blessings,
Rae Karen
