“Let us accept the allotments of Divine Providence— our varied spheres in life—at the hands of Him who fixes the bounds of our habitation.
How many there are who have a strange, perverse satisfaction in looking out from their window, with longing eyes, on one or other of the varied modern shapes which Naboth’s vineyard assumes!
Their soliloquy is—’Were it mine, what a vintage I would have there! What oil and wine I would have from these grapes and olive trees; and what a prudent and bountiful use I would make of them, which their present possessor never does!’
God says to such, ‘No, O dreamer of vain dreams, remain no longer gazing through a false and distorted medium. Envy no longer your neighbor’s choicer territory.
Go cheerfully down to your own assigned, though more restricted, garden-plot. It may have neither vines nor olives. It may be devoid of floral wealth. It may be
possessed of nothing but the commonest plants. But there is your place! It may be “little among the thousands of Judah.” It is that, nevertheless, which I have staked and fenced out for you. I have not made you keeper of others’ vineyards; see that your own vineyard you do keep. You can serve Me and glorify Me with the one entrusted talent, as well as with the ten. On the Great Day there will be as ample a recognition of faithfulness over the few things as over the many things.’
By Him the mite is accepted; and the heart—when there is no mite to give.”
John MacDuff, Thoughts for the Quiet Hour
An excellent reminder from an excellent writer. 🙂
Thank you so much Ink!
Shall I give you the details of the sweet potato pie that I made this weekend (thanks to your link to Petra’s recipe) now or later? 🙂 You indicated you weren’t altogether happy over not being able to enjoy a piece — i would imagine you won’t be happy to know that I can confirm that the recipe is in fact, all that AND more! 🙂 Time to tell Trisha & the Poff sisters that it’s time for Petra’s pie! : ) Hee!
You’re cruel… 😉
“Envy no longer your neighbor’s choicer territory. Go cheerfully down to your own assigned, though more restricted, garden-plot.”
What piercing words! Yet, I can’t keep from stating that what we might perceive to be “more restricted” is filled with divine freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 ESV
But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Amen Louis!
“Yet, I can’t keep from stating that what we might perceive to be “more restricted” is filled with divine freedom.”
So well said. I wouldn’t add or change a thing!
Thanks for sharing this, Christina. I think I will always need reminders to trust God’s providence.
Me too Persis. I just read Joshua 4:19-24. Let us be diligent to keep the faithfulness of God in view — for this generation and the next. Whether His providence is smiling or frowning — it is good! God bless you!
Excellent thoughts and worthy to be read every day. How often we long to be someone else or to have what someone else has. Yet, God has given to us the very things He wants us to use in our life. We must learn to be content with what He gives to us. Thanks for sharing this!
Amen Barbara.
Your comment brings to mind something Jeremiah Burroughs said — I’m sure you have heard it before.
“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”
God bless you today!
“I have not made you keep er of oth ers’ vine yards; see that your own vine yard you do keep.”
Rich Christina. Absolutely rich!
Thank you.
Hi Paul! So good to hear from you! Yes, I liked that line too. The grass always seems greener but our assurance is that “the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places” (Ps 16:6).
Blessings to you and the Adams clan!
What a gem you’ve unearthed here, Christina!
“You can serve Me and glorify Me with the one entrusted talent, as well as with the ten.”
Beautiful!
Grace and love!