Sunday, May 22, 2011

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Proverbs 10:20-21

Proverbs 10:20-21 "The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of understanding.”

Last week I talked about being in the valley. This week I felt like I was walking through the lowest valley, I have experienced. I was away from my computer for several days so I wasn’t able to comment on a lot of cards this week. For 3 days, I helped my husband take some of our trucking equipment to auction. We had hoped that the results of the auction would help our trucking company survive. I watched the auction on-line and as one by one our trucks were auctioned off, I kept saying “Big Money” and hoping that they would sell for a lot. They didn’t.

It made me think of this song by Nicole Nordeman called Gratitude.


Daily bread, give us daily bread.

Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread
Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need
...But Jesus, would You please . . .


The phrase “Maybe you’ll provide in other ways” went through my head. I still have faith that God will provide, but it is hard when it is ALL on faith, no sight of what He is planning. I would like to say that as soon as I said "I trust you God" that all my problems went away and I was happy and singing and the perfect Christian woman. Instead I was still struggling to hold my ground against a wall of depression that was closing in on me. Last night, I felt like my “Perfect family” was falling apart. My kids were fighting, my husband was in the other room depressed himself and I was overwhelmed with sadness. If ever I needed encouraging words, it was last night. I spent hours crying out to God, literally. My oldest daughter came into my room, hugged me and spoke words of encouragement and hope to me. Her words were like the treasure of choice silver that I imagine Solomon was thinking about when he wrote the words to this proverb.


Grace has challenged us to make an encouragement card for someone with a touch of silver on it. The sponsor this week is My Favorite Things.


I decided to make my encouragement card in the form of a get well card. I made this one Jim, who is one of our drivers who had open heart sugery this last week. I used the 6 fold technique. The truck was from Mark's Finest Papers set called Big Boy Toys.



Check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created.




























10 comments:

  1. Oh Marilyn, I am so sorry that this week was so difficult for you..I am so praying for you and wish I could give you a hug...We too are going through some things that requires trusting and faith...only God knows and He will answer but in His time and not ours. All we can do is trust and pray...Keep your head up and know that you are being prayed for. Loved reading the song and your words. Even when you are down, your words each week are encouraging and are a great reminder of God's love for us.

    Your card is gorgeous!! Love that fold technique and the texture foil background. I bet your friend loved it!!

    Have a great Sunday and week!!
    hugs,
    Chris

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  2. Oh I love the card and the inside is like a wonderful surprise - just like life. Thanks for sharing your devotion too. Have a great week!

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  3. I am so sorry for your hardship. Your post touched me deeply. I have a hard time putting my feelings into words, but know that I am praying for you and your family. Now, your card is awesome!!! Love the fold and diamond plate, it looks so real. Sure would be heavy though wouldn't it? I do have one tiny suggestion...get rid of this black background, Blogger has much more cheerful colors. Love and prayers, Lori

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  4. What a fabulous card, awesome design.

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  5. MariLynn, my heart is hurting for you! As I walk through my own trials right now, I know what you mean when you say you go forward all on faith.
    I was blessed to be able to take two of my children to a Kutless concert last week. They performed What Faith Can Do. There is one line in the song that I thought of as I read this post of yours and remembered Grace's challenge to use a little silver:

    "Don’t you give up now
    The sun will soon be shining
    You gotta face the clouds
    To find the silver lining"

    I will continue to pray for you, all of you!

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  6. Hi MariLynn! I'm soooo sorry to hear that you had such a rough week! I had hoped that things would pick up for your business! I do know that God works ALL things together for good to those who love Him and are called to His purposes... and I do know that he makes beauty out of ashes! I spent today in TN with our DD and tonight's service was one of testimoy and singing... that area was badly ravaged by the tornadoes 3 weeks ago. FEMA is still there helping people who need help. Many lost their lives and others lost all they had. But their praises tonight were such a blessing for in the loss they realized just how blessed they were in so many ways. People came from all over and just started cutting trees, making paths to blown apart homes... worked from dawn to dark and did it day after day to help out. People brought food, water, clothing, etc. Needs were met and God was glorified! I know He has a plan for you... and it is a good plan, and I know good will come from all this even though it feels so painful right now! I am sending big hugs my friend! I wish I could in some way help!!! Please know you are high on my prayer list right now and I'm just waiting to see all that God pours out on you in the days ahead. Isn't it a blessing when one of our own children bring us the treasures of silver we need?!!! Our DD did that for us in a rough time when my hubby had lost his job. She came with just the Scriptures and words we needed to hear! That in itself is a treasure my friend!!! Praying and loving you!!!

    Your card is fabulous! LOVE the metallic! Love the unique fold!!! He will love it!!! I hope this weeks brings you some joy and refreshment!!!

    hugs,
    Grace

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  7. Oh MariLynn - what a week, and what a blessing to have a daughter who can so encourage you. God is there and will provide, but I know the waiting is tough!! I will be praying for you.
    Wonderful card, and I too love that diamond plate on masculine cards!
    Prayers
    Maxine

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  8. Marilynn, I too am sorry to hear that things are so trying for you right now! I pray that God will give you and your family the strength to go through this and bring you out of this valley soon!! Your card is absolutely stunning and I am sure it will bring great joy to the man receivng it!!! Hugs and blessings, Sabrina

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  9. Hey sweetie, I will be praying for you more . . . we don't know what God will provide, and it is hard when you are holding on to faith without the visuals . . . Satan is going to attack us when we're low and that delights him, don't let that happen. I am so glad your daughter came in with encouraging words. I like that diamond plate with that stamp set.

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  10. dear friend, i am praying for you today. so sorry i didn't get to your blog b4 now--i was trying to get ahead in dt work so i could have my surgery this week. there is a time for everything... God allows us to go through these low times to draw us closer to him and so we don't think we can do it all on our own. you need him now and he will come through for your family. He works all things together for good to those who love him! He knows your situation and your need, and he loves you - his plan is perfect even though its incredibly rough right now. Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" YES, we are much more valuable and He will provide. Pray with your husband together--even with your family as a whole. it will bring you all together. i know how easy it is to go into your separate rooms and become depressed, but this is a time for strengthening your family and your faith in God.

    your card is amazing - i never saw that fold before-its so cool and im sure was a blessing to your driver. ok, can't believe i typed all that one-handed lol. youre on my heart and in my prayers. big hugs 2 u. -kris

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