Heating the shot...

Today we are doing busy household things (like cleaning, and installing a new dishwasher) while we listen to Christmas music. I am currently listening to the "World Christmas Music" found here. "A la nanita nana..." What a joy to be able to do normal things!

My friend Juanita sent me an encouraging passage from Spurgeon's Sermons this morning (see below), which is such a timely reminder to me to content myself under my loving Father's hand, and get about that which I can do.

This is counsel for you who are temporarily laid on the shelf.
Some of God's best workers have been laid aside for long periods.
Moses was forty years in the desert, doing nothing but tending
sheep. One greater than Moses, our blessed Saviour, was thirty
years doing - I will not say nothing but certainly doing no public work.

When you are retired or inactive, prepare for the time when God
will again use you. If you are put on the shelf, do not rust;
pray that the Master will polish you, so that when He uses you
again you will be fully ready for the work.

While you are laid aside, I want you to pray for others that are
working. Help them and encourage them. Do not get into that
peevish, miserable frame of mind that grudges and undervalues
other's efforts. Some people, when they cannot do anything, do
not like anybody else to work. Promise that if you cannot help,
you will never hinder. Spend time in prayer, that you may be fit
for the Master's use.

At the siege of Gibralter, when the fleet surrounded it and
determined to storm the old rock, the governor fired red-hot shot
down on the men-of-war. The enemy did not care for the governor's
warm reception. Think how it was done. Here were gunners on the
ramparts firing away and every garrison soldier wanted to join
them. What did those who could not fire a gun do? They heated the
shot. And that is what you must do.

Your pastor is the master gunner, so heat the shot for him with
your earnest prayers. When you see your friends working for God,
if you cannot join them, say, "Never mind. If I can contribute
nothing else, my prayers will heat the shot."