Tag: Words of comfort

Christian faith, Christian Writer, Seasons of life

HIS HARNESS OF LOVE

joymargetts

I haven’t written much lately; I haven’t felt able to, for many reasons. I definitely wasn’t intending to write anything today, New Year’s Day 2025, but God had other ideas.

The promise

This time last year I wrote a blog about the promise God had given me for 2024. How it was going to be an extra-ordinary year that I would look back on with wonder.

It has been an incredible year. Most notably with the launch of Kingdom Story Writers and the way that has flourished, not to mention the publication of novel #4, The Stranger, an accompanying short story, The Widow, and a certain award nomination.

However the promise last year also spoke of uncertain times, stony paths, but of a hand that was there to hold mine and keep me safe from the crashing waves.

The One who is faithful

2024 has been tough, particularly the latter part of the year. There are things that we have had to face that have shaken our foundations, threatened to trip us up in our faith walk, caused deep grief and pain.

He who promises is faithful. He has held my hand, as I have gripped tightly to His.

The need to hear His voice

As I came before Him today and reviewed last year with Him, I could see so many instances of His goodness, His faithfulness and His provision. I am so thankful! But I also needed to hear from Him again, as we face what could be a really difficult year.

He didn’t let me down. This is what He whispered to my soul as I gazed out at a rough, wave crashing sea and heard the wind whistle outside my window.

The wind will blow but your house will stand. The waves will crash but not overwhelm. In all things you will see my hand and hear my voice. Your foundations are stronger than you think. Your faith holds fast even when it feels like it is slipping through your hands. I have you, beloved. The rope might be rough and wet and slippery, and you may feel like your grip is weak, but look down. My rope harness holds you and I will not let you fall. Let me hold you, beloved. Trust my ability to hold you, over your ability to hold on to me. Let me be the strong one.

As I heard those words I had a really clear picture of me hanging off a cliff in a storm, with my hands around an old hemp rope, thinking that I had to hold on to save myself from falling, and yet feeling my grip gradually slipping. Even as my hands failed to hold onto the rope, I did not fall. I was tied tightly into a harness that easily took my weight, and on the cliff top above me stood the One whose grip will never fail.

My Hiding Place

I turned, comforted, to the scriptures and read Psalm 32.

This is the promise from v 6-7

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

I’ll take that for 2025.

Perhaps you can take it too.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Book Review, Books, Christian Writer, Faith, Grief, Healing, Seasons of life, Thankfulness, The Word of God

SCENT OF WATER

joymargetts

Scent of Water (Words of Comfort in Times of Grief) is a beautiful, moving, and honestly real devotional for those experiencing loss. Penelope has bravely written out of her own traumatic experience of witnessing her elderly mother’s life taken violently. And out of the subsequent deep grief response that left her numb and flailing.

The moment I read the blurb for Penelope Swithinbank’s new book Scent of Water, I knew that I wanted to read it. In her own words…

‘she found nothing that reached her dark night of the soul, nothing that let her know that God was still with her… she found it very difficult to pray or to read the bible… hugs rubbed her raw and consoling well meant cliches did not ring true… she wished there was a specific daily devotional to help her connect with God in and through the grief’

I was drawn to those words because I’ve been there. This book is a book for those who grieve, and grief comes in many forms and for many reasons. When I was at my lowest point, grieving the life I had once lived and loved, I longed for something easy to read, that would plug me into a God that I had known for years, but who at the time seemed so distant. A simple, non- demanding devotional, of maybe a single line from scripture and a word that spoke into my pain, was what I longed for. I was given books to read, great books on moving on, looking up, strengthening myself in the Lord; but they were too much, too soon. I wish now that I had had Scent of Water.

“For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease.
 Though its root may grow old in the earth,
And its stump may die in the ground,
 Yet at the scent of water it will bud …

Job 14 :7 – 9 NKJV*

The book takes it’s title from this scripture, and it is about hope, but maybe only flickering hope – the merest scent of water – not the deluge, not the soaking, just enough hope to keep you holding on, barely, by your fingertips. I get that.

Penelope is a woman of deep faith, with a lifetime of following and serving Jesus. But that did not make her immune to pain, doubt and despair. She wrote Scent of Water out of her own need to just hold on through the storm. And her words in it are real, the emotions expressed raw and totally relatable, and yet hope also sings from every page. Like the Psalmists of old she has not hidden how grief has made her feel: the frustration, anger, disbelief, hollowness, confusion, and sheer exhaustion. But alongside her heart cries are the gentle words of God, the reassurances, the moments of strength for the weary soul, the thankfulness. It is just so beautifully moving to read. And to return to, over and over again.

Scent of Water comes as a small, easy to hold hardback, designed to be given as a gift. It’s design and appearance are stunning, from the front cover to the lovely colour photograph plates that mark the start of each new devotional. There are 25 of these six day devotions, enough for six months. Each has it’s own theme, some based on an extract from a bible chapter or a Psalm, others following a thought through, using different scriptures, with titles such as ‘Punched in the stomach : shock and agony’ and ‘Learning to Lean : when I need to rest’. The daily scriptures and thoughts are brief and undemanding, and end with a heartfelt prayer each day.

Penelope has also added a section at the beginning of the book with devotionals for the difficult days e.g. the day of the funeral, first birthday, first anniversary, first Christmas, as well as some additional meditations at the end of the book for people to dip into as they feel able. This book is so sensitively thought out and put together. I, for one, am going to treasure my copy and am so pleased that this book is out there. I know I will be buying it and giving it as a gift for those who need help to get through their grief, gently and slowly, but in connection with a Father who knows and loves them.

Penelope Swithinbank is a chaplain at Bath Abbey, and a vicar with twenty years of experience, specialising in spiritual counselling and therapy. She also loves both undertaking and leading others on pilgrimage, both in the UK and in Europe. You can read more about her and purchase Scent of Water via her website at https://penelopeswithinbank.com/

Scent of Water was published by Sarah Grace Publishing on 7th July 2021 and is now widely available online and in bookstores.

*New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission, all rights reserved

Read more about my own writing here http://www.joymargetts.com