Welcome to Brook of the Willows

Let me begin by saying that it’s no mistake that you’re here. Next, let me tell you how Brook of the Willows came about. Over fifty years ago, when the Lord gave me the gift of teaching, I was beyond thrilled. As was my routine, on Saturdays I’d sit at my desk, get quiet, and listen to what the Lord would lay upon my heart as the lesson he wanted me to teach that Sunday. I marveled at how it would come into my mind. Scripture would come first, which I would read and let sink into my mind and heart. Then as if I was painting a picture of words, the lesson would develop. Sometimes I’d sit and cry being so moved by the presence of the Lord and how incredible it was to be led by the Spirit. Even more, was the fact that He was trusting me with the people who would come into the class on any given Sunday.

The gift of teaching is a big responsibility. Once the lesson was made known to me, I could hardly wait to get into the class. My heart was so moved with desire for those who would hear the words that the Lord gave me that most times I was overwhelmed with emotions. I found myself often repeating at the beginning of the class and during it, that what they were hearing wasn’t me, but the Holy Spirit teaching them through me. I so wanted them to understand that. Sometimes those in attendance looked at me with a puzzled look on their faces. However, a few looked at me recognizing that what they were hearing wasn’t coming from the teacher standing before them but the Heavenly Teacher. This is still highly important to me here.

Week after week, I couldn’t wait to see what the Holy Spirit would give me. It was a lesson for me personally in trust. Once I yielded myself to His voice, I became less apprehensive. Then one Saturday he said, “Susan, I will give you what to say when you step up to teach.”

He’d never said that to me before. I tried to gather my thoughts so as not to look like a fool standing there in front of the class that Sunday, but, the more I tried to piece together a lesson, just in case the Lord didn’t give me one, the more confused my mind got. Moments before beginning the class, I bowed my head and said, “Okay Lord. If I just stand here and look like a fool this morning and nothing comes out of my mouth it will be okay. This is your class; I don’t have one thing worth telling anyone. If I just say, good morning and then have to sit down, so be it.”

That particular class was the beginning of a whole new way that the Lord showed me about being his servant. I opened my mouth and he filled it. As my personal life with the Lord grew, so did the ways in which he taught me. I found myself so amazed at how he’d speak parables to me using examples in my everyday life. He helped me understand a particular portion of His word for my own life and put it into a lesson that I could share with others. One Saturday he led me to this scripture.

Isaiah 15:7
Therefore, the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.

Thus the title of this blog. It created a sense of peace and comfort for me to think of meeting with the Lord beside this brook. It is my desire that whoever comes this way feels the same sense of God directing them here to spend some time listening to what the Spirit wants to impart to their life. I am just the transcriber, only the Holy Spirit can teach and impart wisdom and truth.

I bless you as you navigate through these shared lessons. Above all, following after God, seeking Him with a heart totally committed to knowing Him is my prayer for you.