Flowing From Us by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

"Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out!" (Song of Solomon 4:16). Look at the meaning of this prayer a moment. Its root is found in the fact that, as delicious odors may lie latent in a spice tree, so graces may lie unexercised and undeveloped in a Christian's heart. There is many a plant of profession; but from the ground there breathes forth no fragrance of holy affections or of godly deeds. The same winds blow on the thistle bush and on the spice tree, but it is only one of them which gives out rich odors. Sometimes God sends severe blasts of trial upon His children to develop their graces. Just as torches burn most brightly when swung to and fro; just as the juniper plant smells sweetest when flung into the flames; so the richest qualities of a Christian often come out under the north wind of suffering and adversity. Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance that God loveth to smell. "I had a tiny box, a precious box Of human love--my spikenard of great price; I kept it close within my heart of hearts, And scarce would lift the lid lest it should waste Its perfume on the air. One day a strange Deep sorrow came with crushing weight, and fell Upon my costly treasure, sweet and rare, And broke the box to atoms. All my heart Rose in dismay and sorrow at this waste, But as I mourned, behold a miracle Of grace Divine. My human love was changed To Heaven's own, and poured in healing streams On other broken hearts, while soft and clear A voice above me whispered, "Child of Mine, With comfort wherewith thou art comforted, From this time forth, go comfort others, And thou shalt know blest fellowship with Me, Whose broken heart of love hath healed the world."

I might like to be known as Mrs. Hubby's Name. I heard my mom referred to in this way a couple times growing up, but I have not heard it used again since except at the end of a wedding ceremony. Such odd customs we have. The trends moving from one strange thing to the next. I wonder what customs, if any, we might have in Heaven. I guess there's no need to pray anymore since God and Jesus are right there with us. But I suppose it could be customary to praise Him for anything and everything you find good! THAT would be a great custom ;).

I am doing this this morning very VERY reluctantly and only because my daughter wouldn't go back to sleep and my son did. Why is it You have to do this to me to get me to wake up with You? Why is it that I don't jump out of bed anxious to spend time with You? Why is it that I make You make me? What has to happen for me to get to the point that I at least feel an urgent need to? Or maybe even just a sense of obedience? I'd love to do it because I want to. Lord, can You please tell me how You want me to feel about this exercise? If You want me to do it, can You make that abundantly clear? I guess I don't need to know a reason right away, but I do want to grow in understanding and develop Your perspective. Bring me insight, help me find the scriptures for my stack as Beth has asked. I want to identify problem areas and apply Your Word to them.

OK, Lord. Genevieve is licking my back. I think it's time to go. Thank You that You've designed a system for smelling like You - the aroma of Christ. Thank You that You only give us what we need and what our neighbors need. I don't need an abundance of material blessings, but You give exceedingly excessive spiritual ones! Boy do I need You today, Lord. With the way this morning is going so far, I can only imagine! And to think I was spouting out about living by the Spirit and having joy yesterday at church! Ha! Where is my joy this morning? Grumpy at hubby for something last night, grumpy at the computer for my wireless signal cutting in and out on me, grumpy at Genevieve for fussing while I'm talking to You, grumpy about being up earlier than I wanted. I need supernatural patience and perspective. I have so many needs on my heart and not enough praise. So here goes:

I praise You because I have to - because You're God. And You told me to. And besides, You're God.
I praise You because at least my two mosquito bites are not itchy.
I praise You because I had a deck and nice chairs to sit on last night while obtaining said mosquito bites.
I praise You because I had the ability to come inside to a wonderful house after being bitten.
I praise You for the ability to function somewhat normally without any major physical, mental, or emotional issues.
I praise You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
I praise You that Your ways are higher than my ways, and Your thoughts higher than my thoughts.
I praise You that You choose not to remember my sins and transgressions.
I praise You that even though I don't want to praise You right now, the Spirit is reminding me of scriptures to use.
I praise You that when I start to set my eyes on You instead of myself and my problems, and if I start to let You get a little glimmer of humility in my heart, I realize that nothing I'm struggling with is worth struggling with without You.
I praise You that even though I can harbor unforgiveness for any little offense at any given time, You forgive me for the totality of my sins ALL THE TIME.

Help me not only warm up to You through praises, but to REJOICE over You and Your works and Your Word all day long.