So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key.
The Eagles, "Already Gone"
Today's post is all about chains. Chains can take many forms: fears, habits, illnesses, and more. These particular chains were made by my friend Karen. She learned to make them from soap, and when she got better, progressed to wood. You might say that she has been chained to her chains. I have them here at home while she is loaning them to me. Bring so clumsy, I am afraid that I will break the soap. I was afraid to touch them to take these pictures, and have now put them away up high, where they will be safe till returned to their maker. What struck me about the chains of soap is that it is a total oxymoron. Since the soap is so fragile and will also wash completly away, they are not really chains at all, are they? They would not hold for long. But here's the neat thing about these soap chains; It is a picture of what God does to us when he washes our chains away. We are left pure and clean. Like the quote at the top says, we all really do live our lives in chains, and we do have the key; Jesus. It's so good to realize that before we are "Already Gone".
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains." Psalm 107:13
"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin....and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:2,7
16 comments:
Last time we were "chained up" in slavery but Christ has set us free..
Your friend has a lot of patience and skill to make those chains from soap and wood. I'm not sure if I have the patience to do that kind of carving.
I love the Eagles quote. Some many people live their lives bound by invisible chains and some even know they have the key, but they are afraid to use it. Very sad indeed.
We read," The truth will set you free," Yes, so often we are in the grip of fear. if only we can place our trust in God.
I love Psalm 51...create in me a clean heart Oh God and renew a right spirit within me. I include it in my morning prayers every day.
Yes we choose to be chained to Jesus because we know that he is the way.
Ginny,what a lovely reflection. This was a wonderful way to start the day. I hope you have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary
If good deeds like kindness, thoughtfulness, humility, caring, honesty and other bring "chain-reaction"... likewise, evil things. We need to make better choices if we want to live in a wonderful world. Nice one Ginny. Love it.
Your friend has a steady hand. I remember carving soap when I was a child. My mother taught me how. I was never very good but I guess Ivory soap was an inexpensive medium to practice on.
Interesting that she's moved on to wood. What's next?
Great quote! Was that the inspiration behind them too (for her)? So she makes (carves) them out of wood too? So true..amazing, and He takes us through the process to untangle them! It can be quite long but, (He who the son sets free, is free indeed)! Enjoyed your chains..
you did an amazing job of explaining the chains. i am wondering how she carved that soap into a chain without breaking it. i know hot do do paper ones but these are amazing.
Ginny: I don't know how that chain of soap was accomplished! I almost got a low mark in 7th grade when we were studying mythology and were assigned the task of carving something myth related from a bar of Ivory (I don't know why Ivory) soap. Let me tell you, I went through a lot of bars of ivory soap and finally ended up carving a strange looking Mt. Olympus!! My family bathed on the soap remains for months.
Best,
Bonnie
Love the quote! It is so true!
Your friend is a very talented lady! I, too, would be very nervous about handling these beauties.
Hi Ginny. We just got back from a week away last night. What a week we had. Many posts to come.
I'm glad you enjoyed the garden. I'd like to be back in the spring when the crocuses and daffodils are blooming. There is another post now.
Your post about chains is one that I have spoken of as well. I don't know about many but I've found that as I get older and especially now that I'm not working, I am much freer and open. On reflection, the chains were a big waste of my time but the good news is, God willing, I have lots of time left to make up for my time in chains.
God bless,
Annie
If everyone would heed the scriptures the psychiatrists would all go out of business ... I have often thought about that!
Have a great day!
p.s. I got the pill pockets from the Vet because Gizzy is a sort of finicky eater and I have a problem getting him to eat pills (i.e. flea pill) and I thought I would try them since I didn't have any liverwurst in the house (He LOVES liverwurst and I think I could get him to take his pills in that) but this pill pocket worked great. There's an opening for you to place your pill, pinch it shut, and the doggy will never be the wiser ;-)
Hi Gin, I'm sure that ALL of us have 'chains' around us at one time or another....And most of the time, we are hooked up by our OWN chains. Sometimes I feel as if my weight problem has been my CHAIN. It has kept me from doing some of the things I have wanted to do in life... BUT---nobody but ME puts food in my mouth... SO---those are chains of my doing!!!!!
God can help us with our 'chains' --but we also have to do our part.... Nice post, Ginny.... Your posts always make me THINK.
Hugs,
Betsy
Love the carved soap (seems impossible to do) and I love the example you have with people being chained.
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