Lord, break the chains that hold me to myself; free me to be your happy slave - that is, to be the happy foot-washer of anyone today who needs his feet washed, his supper cooked, his faults overlooked, his work commended, his failure forgiven, his griefs consoled, or his button sewed on.  Let me not imagine that my love for You is very great if I am unwilling to do for a human being something very small.
~Elisabeth Elliot, A Lamp For My Feet

~Brittany

Who Will You Choose? ~ A Chance to Die

If a man or woman honestly wishes to be a follower, the opportunity will present itself.  Christ will say, "Here is your chance.  Now, in this situation, you must make your choice.  Will it be self?  Or will you choose Me?"

An older missionary said something to Amy Carmichael when she was a young missionary that stayed with her for life.  She had spoken of something which was not to her liking.  His reply was, "See in it a chance to die."

~ Elisabeth Elliot, A Lamp for My Feet

~Brittany

Joy In Suffering

"God...setteth in pain the jewel of His joy."

F.W.H.Meyers

"A friend who is gravely ill... is greatly loved by many and has had a unique ministry because of her gifts of friendship and hospitality.  Must she suffer?
The answer is yes.  For the Lord who loves her suffered and wants her to fellowship with Himself.  The joy of thus knowing Him comes not in spite of but because of suffering, just as resurrection comes out of death.  I have a Savior because I am a sinner; a beauty is given the child of God in exchange for ashes.
We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes.  But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem.  We receive His poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.
How can one's illness help another?  By being offered to Him who can transform it into blessing.

A Lamp for My Feet

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to Thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain

That morn shall tearless be.

George Matheson

-taken from Gateway to Joy, by Elisabeth Elliot
~Brittany