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" It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63

Tuesday 15 June 2021

Learning in Suffering - Annie Johnson Flint

Annie Johnson Flint - a great hymn writer. 
Truly the crucible of suffering brings forth pure gold!

Most of this post is a direct quote with some summarising taken from this post HERE. See link for more details. 

Annie Johnson was born in Vineland, New Jersey USA on Christmas Eve 1866. Nearly three years later, Annie’s mother died at the age of 23, soon after giving birth to Annie’s sister. Her Father was not well and for two years the bereaved family of three lived with a widow friend. She had children of her own and it became evident that Annie and her sister were not really welcome in the home, they were simply an added burden.


By a remarkable providence, a childless Christian couple in the town, Mr and Mrs Flint, adopted them as their own. The father was willing to do this on two counts, firstly his serious illness, which resulted in his own death not long afterwards and secondly the fact that they were Christians!

The couple offered a loving and warm-hearted Christian home to the two girls and after the adoption, their surname was added to Annie’s. Through their childhood years the girls were taught the Christian gospel and the teaching of the Bible framed every aspect of life.

At the age of eight, two great changes took place in the young life of Annie. The Flints moved from their rural home in the countryside, into the small town nearby. Despite this, Annie always retained her love for the natural world around her and it coloured the rest of her life. In God’s providence, the move coincided with a number of evangelistic meetings taking place in the town. She was taken along by her adopted parents, and there, at the age of eight, she was brought to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In later life she testified of the reality of that experience and although she was so young, she was convinced that God had truly saved her that day.

Before she became a teenager, Annie began to develop a keen interest in reading and writing – particularly poetry. This was fuelled by Mr Flint’s extensive library. She and her friend from school formed a two-member literary society! Every Saturday afternoon they met together to read material by their favourite poets; and then attempted to write poems themselves.

Her powers of observation were particularly keen. One contemporary speaks of her comment much later in life that Annie had noticed that the robin outside her window had changed its song. “We are going to have rain today. My robin has just changed his note. He never sings in that tone unless the rain is coming”. Sure enough, the rain came!

The Lord was working in her heart, sanctifying her through her life’s experiences. She did have troubles with a flaring temper at times but over the years learned the lessons of grace in overcoming this sinful tendency. She speaks of her impatience and her tendency to persist at something without waiting patiently for the outcome in the appointed time. The Lord would need to teach her much in this area of her character. Deeper trials were to come which would test both persistence and patience to the extreme.


An indication of those trials manifested itself quite soon into her working life. She began her first position as a school teacher in her home town, teaching at the school where she had once been a pupil. There, symptoms of arthritis began to appear. These grew steadily worse, causing her to have to give up her post, as she was almost unable to walk.


Then tragedy struck again when both of her adopted parents died within a few months of each other. Annie was left overwhelmed with sadness and loss. Her own health continued to deteriorate rapidly and it was not long before the Doctors sadly had to tell her that she would soon become a helpless invalid, crippled by the advancing arthritis running through her body. In her sadness, her illness and her desperate financial predicament, Annie was cast upon God.

A contemporary writer says, “Annie was in a condition where she was compelled to be dependent upon the care of others… In after-years she always stated that her poems were born of the need of others and not from her own need; but one knows full well that she never could have written as she did for the comfort and help of thousands of others if she had not had the background of facing those very crises in her own life”.

Those poems, notes and letters were wonderfully the means of her sustaining by the Lord. The very best of her God-given gifts of writing, poetry and prose were drawn out of her in her deep trial. She could not properly hold or use a pen, but her dogged determination forced her to somehow push her pen into her swollen and bent fingers and despite her wrists being in great pain she wrote of her deepest spiritual experiences. At first it was for her own solace but she began to make hand lettered cards, gift books, and cards with verses beautifully written on them.

Many of these poems, etc. were published during her own lifetime. (Most of this post is a direct quote taken from this post HEREsee link for more details. I have read an excellent biography on Annie, several decades ago, I think it’s the one below.)

Annie became thoroughly convinced that God intended to glorify Himself through her – in her weak, earthen vessel. Like the Apostle Paul there came to her, with real assurance, the promise which said, “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” She reached the place where she could also say with Paul, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. (2 Cor 12:9)


No one can tell what suffering she endured as the disease became worse with the passing of the years, but through it all her faith in the goodness and mercy of God never wavered. There were many times, no doubt, when her soul would be burdened with the mystery of it all and the “why?” of what she was called to endure. For more than forty years there was scarcely a day when she did not suffer pain and she became increasingly helpless. Her joints had become rigid, although she was still just able to turn her head. In great pain she could write a few lines on paper. 

On September 8th 1932, her last words before she died were to her doctor in front of a visiting couple who knew her well. He asked if there was anything she wished to say before he gave her a painkilling injection. “I have nothing to say, it’s all right” she said. 

In a few minutes, she had gone to be with the Saviour, Whom she loved and served so well. In a life that seemed to have so much “all wrong”, she was given remarkable grace and strength to proclaim, in fact it was, “all right”.

Among her collection of poems that remain, “He giveth more grace” stands out as a wonderful statement of her Biblical theology of pain, trial and suffering and of the boundless store of grace that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

When Paul urges Timothy, his son in the faith, to “be strong” (2 Timothy 2v1), it is in this grace alone that he will be able to endure the hardships that he will face. It is no different for us as Christians today, Annie’s lovely hymn has a timeless message! Not often is the third stanza used though, sadly.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. 

Fear not that your need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father, both you and your load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Video link here is not showing. 


Praying for you today, in whatever you maybe facing in your life, or in the lives of those you love, remembering with you, that our wonderful Father God is only ever a prayer away! Surely He giveth more grace!

Grace for the day, and strength for the way!

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.
Prayer hugs,🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz. X

PS If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊

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7 comments:

Mehrll said...

I love the poems of Annie Johnson Flint and especially the song, "He Giveth More Grace". I have sung that song in church many times, but I have never seen the third verse. The words are such a comfort when you are going through hard times. God's grace is sufficient for every need, every time and every day. How blessed we are by the life of those who have trod the road before us and leave behind sweet blessings to encourage us. Thanks Shaz for sharing this.

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, dearest Shaz, this is one of the most beautiful posts. I love this old hymn that is truly timeless in its comfort and encouragement. I too have never seen the last verse of this hymn (I believe), and it's a wonderful one. What an amazing testimony to the strength and grace that God gave to Annie throughout her life. What a blessing you are as well, precious Shaz. I pray for you as you endure health issues and pain, and we both know that God is our Strength and Refuge. Much love and hugs and prayers! xoxo

Brenda said...

Wow, what an inspiration Annie is! Often I wonder why some people suffer more than others do. But at the same time, I know it is the Lords work He is doing through them. So much to be thankful for because of the good Lord. I'm so inspired by Annie. Praying for you dear sis and for those you love! The good Lord is certainly only a prayer away for sure. Hugs and blessings, Brenda

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I really liked the song you shared. I remember it from years ago. Thanks for sharing Annie's story. I am glad she made it through her hard years with God with her. These days there's better medicine to help people with arthritis but still painful at times. Thanks for the encouraging story you shared!!!
Prayer shawl is to be 60" long and 20" wide. It does look cozy though.
Have a blessed day!!
Becky L

kiwimeskreations said...

What a wonderful example od God's sustaining strength this gracious woman became, and she surely left a great legacy in her writings and hymns.
Thank you for sharing this Shaz
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Betsy said...

Hello Dear Shaz: I'm sorry it has taken me so long to comment. My days are so full right now, but light is at the end of the tunnel now. We're down to the last boxes of possessions to unpack and now just have to place things in their "home" in the new house. It's strange. As soon as Dennis arrived here with me, I started sleeping all night and much more restful. I feel safe with him here. And that is saying something. Our new area is not safe at all. Two shootings where 7 people were shot and two killed two nights ago were only about 1/2 mile from our new home. This neighborhood used to be so good. Thank the Good Lord that our immediate neighborhood is of lovely people who have lived here for years and year that know Mom and us well. Please keep our safety in your prayers my dear friend.
I loved reading this blog post and of the faith and trust in the Lord that Annie had and shared with all she knew and future generations too! Her story is one that only God could use to glorify Him. What a witness for Him she was! If only I could be the kind of person that others would remember as doing all for Him.
Blessings and love my dear friend,
Betsy

Anne said...

Anextremely humbling post, such Spirit filled lyrics, what an amazing lady.