The Diary of a Godly Housewife (Pt. 12: Why? “…one day we shall thank him for the shadows as well as the sunshine..”)
Dec. 16th (1881) Read my essay tonight at Bible Class entitled “Fixed Principles” illustrated by the story of Ruth. All seemed to enjoy it. Mrs. Proctor was there and everything was all I could desire except that Mrs. Bichenos who had tried to come but thought she would not be able to did not get.
I regretted her absence and in reaching home found she called in for me a few minutes after I started and finding I had gone she returned home. Why oh why was I not led to turn and call in for her? Why not to return and post a letter I had left on the table instead of sending a message about it by the first man I met and find it still unposted on my return? I know why. ‘Tis just to show me earth is but earth still. That “Here the gold of joy, is never free from base alloy”. Never do I know unmixed pleasure; at the happiest seasons there is always a fly in the ointment. This seems to be God’s way with me, doubtless, to keep me humble at his feet; diligent in his work. Were it not for this disappointment now I should be thinking my particular portion on earth something akin to Heaven. And perhaps feeling a little vain at being commended at the class. Our God knows what is best; one day we shall thank him for the shadows as well as the sunshine..”
Originally from N. Ireland, Aaron pastored in Canada for ten years, and served as a missionary in Jamaica and more recently in Kenya. He continues his work in East Africa as the director of The Krapf Project, editing and preparing resources for rural pastors. He edits The Pastor's Study, a quarterly magazine published in Nairobi.
Aaron is the pastor of Dunamanagh Baptist Church in Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He is married to Grace and they have five children, James, Bethan, William, Emily and Thomas. In this blog, Aaron writes devotional, pastoral, and theological articles, as well as Church history. His latest book is a missionary biography on Dr Ludwig Krapf, the first Protestant missionary to East Africa.
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