Youth exchanged for the gift of wisdom

I am back again after a long sojourn working at my business. Right now I am going through notes that I have jotted down which I really should have put down here. This is what I wrote on Sep. 20/2006.

"Today I read the little note written by the sister of Chuck Swindoll about wisdom. Youth exchanged for the gift of wisdom. For many years, I have prayed for this gift more than any other gift and I see so clearly this exchange being carried out. My hair is very grey. I have cried many, many times and made costly mistakes which contributed to the wisdom I so earnestly desired. The experience in my past years has mellowed me and changed me. I gave up impatience for a well of patience but at the cost of countless incidents requiring the overcoming of very trying times of waiting un-endingly. I exchanged my unbelief, for an all consuming love and faith in the Lord, through difficult times, when I found that He always came through for me. The wait was long, almost excruciating, but I saw His good at the end of that particular season. I learned and I learned. I often tried to manipulate the outcome only to find myself hurting more unbearably. Gradually it became easier to discern, easier to see His ways and to conform. When I have 'preached' or 'lectured' or pointed a finger, I have found that I was held accountable. Many times, I have found myself in the very same situation, as the person I was trying to teach, and I have learned first hand, that I had to be prepared to go through similar circumstances, and then because of first hand involvement, I could offer advice with greater compassion and love. I have learned not to speak lightly to the Lord and make promises because doing so is at a cost and it will hurt, very often tremendously. Victory is a prize that you receive when you go through to the other side. Hindrances and obstacles are bound to beset you on every side. Overcoming them is part of the process of being victorious. Being Christ-like means being as He was. Jesus not only set an example, He gave us a pattern, a design for our lives and His Way is the only Way. O how I wish I could put into words, all that I have learnt over the years, that will be plain to understand. I do know however, that no one can learn my lessons the way I learned them. Each one will have their own revelation in a unique and special way for that is the nature of our God and the way He created us. Unique and different. I pray, I pray with all my heart, that we learn quickly and with true humility, all that He desires for us to learn.

"O Lord, please bless those who read these words and come to their aid quickly. Open their minds that they may learn and in doing so acquire the greatest gift of wisdom, for to acquire wisdom, is to have a better knowledge of You and Your ways. Thank you Lord!!"