Beautiful devotion

Sometimes God causes severe winds of trial to blow upon His children to develop their gifts. Just as a torch burns more brightly when waved back and forth, and just as a juniper plant smells sweetest when thrown into the flames, so the richest qualities of a Christian often arise under the strong winds of suffering and adversity. Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance that God loves to smell.

I had a tiny box, a precious box

of human love- my perfume of great price;

I kept it close within my heart of hearts

and scarce would lift the lid lest it should waste

its fragrance in the air. One day a strange

deep sorrow came with crushing weight, and fell

upon my costly treasure, sweet and rare,

and broke the box to pieces. All my heart

rose in dismay and sorrow at this waste,

but as I mourned, behold a miracle

of grace Divine. My human love was changed

to Heaven's own, and poured in healing streams

on other broken hearts, while soft and clear

a voice above me whispered, "Child of Mine,

with comfort wherewith you are comforted,

from this time forth, go comfort others,

and you will know blest fellowship with Me,

whose broken heart of love has healed the world".

Streams in the Desert devotion