Monday, November 16, 2020

Hanging by a Thread

 


Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." ~Matthew 19:26

What is your take on the photo above?  Is it a lucky capture of a falling leaf by Danny's intrepid camera?  Is it photo-shopped in order to deceive the viewer?

No!  Although you can't see it in this picture, the leaf is held aloft by a gossamer strand of a spider's web dangling from our clothesline.  With the leaves falling at a record pace this time of the year, it still seems impossible that an errant one would be netted and held by a randomly floating cobweb.  I am amazed by the sight of something so unexpected, yet another surprise awaits.


Here, you can actually see the strand that catches a second leaf.  Yes, two are hanging on at once!  What are the odds of that?  My first reaction?  This is a miracle, something I've never beheld in my life.  Only God could arrest our attention in such a way as to remind us that He is the God of the impossible.

Because all of my human, rational thinking process shouts, "This just never happens!"

But it has . . . 

We see, we witness, we believe.  That's what matters.

And in these tumultuous times of upheaval and unrest in our nation, I'm guessing many of you are feeling like your sense and sensibility are hanging by a thread.  One more emotional stressor threatens to push you over the edge, plunging you into the depths of despair.

But God's thread doesn't sway, swerve or let you go, as this web strand, releasing these leaves in a sudden wind gust, does.  He hangs onto you with all His might, willing you to trust in Him and hold firmly to His protective hand.  He's got you, of that you can be sure.

He never fails to turn the impossible into the possible.

And I have no doubt more miracles are yet to come.

Amen!

36 comments:

  1. What a wonderful lesson in today's post. Thanx Martha.

    God bless.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked the lesson, Victor!
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Martha, I cling to that truth- that God doesn't sway, swerve, or let me go. It keeps me together.

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    1. Amen, Bill! God's unfailing hold on us never ceases to keep us safe.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Amen to all of that. We must be careful not to make our view of God smaller as problems grow bigger.

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    1. Indeed, Marja. May we keep everything in perspective.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Beautiful analogy, Martha! And amazing how strong those spider webs are! But think how much stronger God is, holding this whole world together when we would just disintegrate without Him. Praise God, "He's got the whole world in His hands!"

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    1. Thanks for your kind words here, Pamela! Yes, God holds the whole world in His hands, and for that, I know, we all are infinitely grateful.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Yes, AMEN!! Thank you, Martha Jane!

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  6. Such perfect timing in your post about God not letting go and that we need to trust Him. I am praying like so many for His Sovereign hand to work mightily in this election. When I see the leaves fall I will remember what you shared. He has the future in His hands and I believe He calls us to cry out to Him for deliverance.🙏🙏

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    1. Amen, Valerie! We definitely do need to cry out to the Lord for His mercy and deliverance. He is mighty to save!
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Yep, yesterday I experienced one of 'those' moments. This is a beautiful illustration of God's grip. Sometimes I need to tell the skeptic inside my head to sit down and shut up. (*smile*)

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    1. We all need to do that from time to time, Myra, that's for sure. God's signs are all around us when we open the eyes of our hearts.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. A beautiful post, Martha Jane. Our Lord is holding me together, and I glory in that!

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    1. I know He is, and I know you rejoice in that fact, Barbara. May our Lord continue to give you comfort and peace, my friend!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Such an inspiring post Ms. Martha. I've seen grasshoppers, leaves, even wheat kernels seemingly suspended in mid-air by spider webs and it never ceases to amaze me either. Then, I remember walking into that ultra-sticky web stuff (called proteinaceous spider silk, extruded from its spinnerets-ain't that a mouthful?) in the woods and I understand how it can trap those materials. :-) If our God can create spiders that generate this stuff, on demand as not all spider silk is coated with it, then I realize He can do anything as our Creator. Knowing this is all a part of His plan helps me get through each day. I can't always understand it, but I can always lean on Him through it. Great post ma'am.

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    1. Like you, J. D., I can't always understand the things that God does, but that's because I'm only human. I'll choose to accept His plans on faith that He always knows what is best. And yes, we can always lean on Him, trusting in His love and grace.
      Yuck for running into that spider web, though! That's happened to me, too, and it ain't fun!
      Love and blessings!

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  10. During this time of grief over the death of my 45 year old son, I find it hard to cope with what has happened. At my lowest point, I have asked the question “why?” over and over. God has reminded me that I am not alone and has given me the gift of recovery. I am clinging tightly to His outstretched righteous right hand, because I know He will never let go. Love and blessings, Martha. Thank you.

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    1. Oh, Nells, how the news you have shared here saddens my heart! I had no idea of the grief you are going through, and I'll certainly keep you in my prayers, dear one. Our only hope for getting through the hard, unimaginable times is clinging onto God. He is the source of all our peace, comfort and healing. Don't let go of Him!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Amen dear Martha, I like you for those miracles yet to come! Gods glory will be given, for He makes kings and presidents not the media. Praise His name.
    God IS on His throne,
    He WILL remember His own!
    Praise God.
    Thanks for sharing, and God bless, Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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    1. Yes, God is the ultimate king-maker, and He is the God of justice and truth. May His will be done, Shaz!
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Another miracle is that you noticed and had your camera to capture it. How many natural wonders do we pass by in oblivion? How many di we notice but can't share? Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You are absolutely right, David. There are miracles all around us every day, but we need to be ready and willing to see them.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Martha, this is an interesting post. I've learned to expect things to happen that aren't suppose to happen. A spider's web is so strong and not easily moved--this should be the faith we desire to develop.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. It should, indeed, be the faith we long to develop, Kim! Our God can always make the impossible possible. Let us cling to that each and every day.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. Boa noite meus queridos amigos. Obrigado por vocês levarem tão brilhantemente a Palavra de Deus. Bom final de semana.

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  15. I do sometimes feel as though I am hanging by a thread just now, Martha. Thank you for the reminder that God's thread doesn't sway or snap. I have often tried to photograph spiderwebs without luck. Good photography by Danny!

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    1. Yes, Laurie, Danny is an awesome photographer! God's thread holds us strong, even in the most precarious of times, and for that, I am ever grateful.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. Beautiful picture and reminder of God’s creation and grace.

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  17. on retreat in 2019, literally a spider appear on a thin thread right before my eyes and she and I had a great time watching one another and wondering the lesson in our time together, Thread times shape us too.

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    1. What a great experience that was for you, Jean! God has lessons for us everywhere we turn.
      Love and blessings!

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