what is a squiggle?

According to fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Hill, a squiggle is a beginning point, a small, wiggly line on a page with the potential to become something more--a brilliantly drawn fifth-grade picture!



A beginning point. A silly phrase from my preschooler, my teenager rolling his eyes, or my kindergartner deleting my entire 3rd chapter...



Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Scripture Squiggle: Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

This scripture reminds me of the poem "Footprints." Often we don't realize that the Lord is supporting us until we look back on the events we were struggling through. But oh how much easier those times would be if we could remember this verse, remember that the Lord is waiting for us to cast our burdens on him. Regardless of what is happening in our lives, the Lord can give us strength to make it through. He understands our feelings, our experiences, and our struggles.

Robert Keen took Isaiah's words and turned them into the third verse of my favorite hymn: How Firm a Foundation. That third verse, and the powerful seventh, have lifted my spirit in many dark hours:

Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!