"You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold em." Kenny Roger's sang in his country hit.
Many years ago, I asked the Holy Spirit for advice in dealing with a longstanding issue. To my surprise, I was shown a hand of playing cards. The message was to:
Play the hand that you're dealt.
My grandmother had taught us many card games as a child. Summer vacations included all of us kids sitting round her big round oak table. I can still see her shuffling the deck and dealing out the cards. She taught us Hearts, Fan-Tan, Spades, and Crazy Eights.
Play the hand that you're dealt. A sobering thought. In other words, don't complain, just do your best with the cards you're holding, and ask the Holy Spirit for help.
Play the hand that you're dealt.
My grandmother had taught us many card games as a child. Summer vacations included all of us kids sitting round her big round oak table. I can still see her shuffling the deck and dealing out the cards. She taught us Hearts, Fan-Tan, Spades, and Crazy Eights.
Play the hand that you're dealt. A sobering thought. In other words, don't complain, just do your best with the cards you're holding, and ask the Holy Spirit for help.
Reviewing the hand Jesus played in his life on earth, I saw how God crowned each setback with a victory. No room in the inn for his birth, a quiet cave far from the rowdy crowd in Bethlehem.
King Herod after the newborn Christ, an angel guided Joseph to take his family to Egypt until it was safe to return.
40 days tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus passed each test by declaring the Word... "It is written..." He didn't discuss the matter with the devil, but simply declared the Truth. Jesus triumphed and was ministered to by the angels.
Alone in the garden at Gethsemane, fearful and sweating, Jesus' disciples abandoned him. They fell asleep instead of watching and praying with Him. Yet God provided an angel to come and give Jesus the strength needed to complete His mission.
The agony of the crucifixion--the joyful resurrection, and wondrous ascension. Victory over death.
God used His angels to deliver, protect, strengthen, and fulfill the plan throughout the life of Christ.
Looking back, I gratefully recall how God has delivered me through many trials and adversity. Each one designed to make me stronger and have more faith in my spirit. And, so He is still in the game. We can never be separated from the Love of God. The whole life review process was healing; a reminder to keep having faith. I felt peace, and more understanding in playing the hand I have because God is the winning Hand. (Folding my hands in prayer.)
Looking back, I gratefully recall how God has delivered me through many trials and adversity. Each one designed to make me stronger and have more faith in my spirit. And, so He is still in the game. We can never be separated from the Love of God. The whole life review process was healing; a reminder to keep having faith. I felt peace, and more understanding in playing the hand I have because God is the winning Hand. (Folding my hands in prayer.)
That day when asking for guidance, I couldn't see the actual playing cards in my mind's eye. Only the decorative back of the cards fanned out. But this royal Heart flush is a comforting reminder to always play our hand with Love, and keep God present at the table. The best is yet to be. Victory is assured.
Enjoy your day with the Angels.
Love and joyful blessings,
Rae Karen
Photo: (Wikimedia Photo: Graeme Main/MOD)
