Debby, our college president at Wheaton when I was there (1956-1960) was Dr. V. Raymond Edman. He had a few favorite phrases he would often repeat....and one of them comes to mind as I just finished reading your evening's essay: "Not somehow but triumphantly". It's encouraging to the rest of us to read how you are triumphing as God directs you to His truths and the Holy Spirit works in you to apply those truths!
Another favorite of his was the Biblical phrase, "In quietness and confidence is your strength". SO often when we are feeling rattled and overwhelmed, we need the Lord to quiet our hearts..."Be still and know that I am God." I love the words of "Dear Lord and Father of mankind" so I'm going to copy them here....hope they don't keep anyone else out or knock out their responses here on Caring Bridge!
Love, Nell
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity
Interpreted by love!
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.
.