First thought I have for today, how awesome and caring is our God. Even in the midst of great heartache and sorrow, His grace is sufficient for us. Does that mean we are left untouched by grief and sadness, the short answer is no. The long answer is to quote my friend, Dian, God has a plan and it is for His glory, and my good. How, might you ask, can grief, fear and anxiety be good? We are to cast our cares on Him for He cares for us. I Peter 5:7. That sounds simple enough, but oh how difficult at times it is to do just that. Remember it is a process that can take years to accomplish. Isn't it better to cast our cares on Him at the beginning of an event than to wait until we are exhausted from carrying a load we were not designed to carry?
This morning as I type this Beverly and Dale are in surgery. I am trusting that our LORD is guiding the hands of the surgeons and giving them wisdom on each procedure. It is not the known that is so frightening to me, it is the unknown. As you pray for them and Jerry, Elisa, Ralph, Charlotte and the many others who are dealing with physical and mental health issues let us rest in Christ, our great physician, comforter and caregiver.
I am reminded: But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for me, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9. I don't know about you, but I have a ways to go before I arrive. Remember it is no the outcome that shows the victory, it can and will be the process as well. I am not yet today what I will be tomorrow.
Thank you all for your patience, participation and kindness in class. I so appreciate each and every one of you. I love when we can laugh, cry and live life together. Make your Valentine and send it someone you care about or someone who needs an encouraging word.
We are on to chapter 5 Wind and Waves, fear of death. I can only say, REALLY?...... I anticipate God teaching us profound truths through His Word. See you Sunday
I wanted to share a few updates for you.
ReplyDeleteBeverly is home, she came through the surgery well but is in a great deal of pain. She has about 10 days to wait for results from the biopsy, so your continued prayers will be appreciated.
Dale came through his surgery and is in recovery, please continue to remember he and Cathy as they go through the next weeks of recovery and wait for biopsy reults. Cathy plans to be here at Upward tomorrow.
Jerry is still in critical condition, please continue to pray for him and Marsha and their family.
Melodie and Mike Smith and their families are dealing with a tragedy in Mike's family. Please keep them in your prayers.
Charlotte Hawkins remains in the hospital, thank you for your prayers for her through this very difficult illness.
That takes care of the updates for now. Thank you for being faithful prayer warriors.
I feel the need to share a scary thing that has happened recently with my daughter, Hillary who is away living in a dorm at the University of Arkansas. Many of us have shared that some of our strongest fears are those that relate to something tragic happening to our children. I will attempt to make this long story into a short one.
ReplyDeleteHillary woke up one day last week with a swollen knee, bruised leg and severe pain in her ribs all on the right side of her body. She didn't know what she did in the night, but she had gone to bed fine and woke up hurting. Yesterday, she was able to look at the security video and she watched herself walk out of the building about 3:00 a.m. with no shoes, in her pajamas and carrying her keys and then she returned about 20 minutes later walking slowly and slightly limping. She remembers nothing about what happened in that time. She went to the doctor today and he thinks she has probably cracked some ribs. He gave her some pain medication and said it would take time to heal. In the meantime, she is having difficulty playing her instrument because it is so painful.
My mind has gone many places this week wondering what happened to my baby as she sleepwalked on a college campus in the middle of the night. I have also questioned God about how He could let His child do this. Where was He when she fell or was injured possibly by someone? I'm thankful that it wasn't worse than it is, but then there is the worry about what if it happens again?
The truth is that God was right there with her. She belongs to Him and He loves her. I will probably never understand why this happened. How can I say I trust Him with her life and her future if I fret and worry about her safety? I have already confessed to Him my lack of faith. He really is my Lord and if I believe that then I have to act like it, too. Not that it is easy or I am good at it. I'm sharing this because honestly, I am struggling with it.
And yet.......
From the time Hillary was 6 months old until she began putting herself to bed, we always said a scripture blessing upon her.....It was Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant make Hillary perfect in every good work to do His will; working in Hillary that which is well pleasing in His sight, to Whom be glory forever and ever, amen." God is in control and He will work in Hillary so that all will be for His glory and her good! Who am I to question that?
Love you all......thank you for letting me share.
Ann, thank you for sharing and for being vulnerable. That is a scary situation as a parent. I will be praying for Hillary and you. You are right that she is God's child and He has His hand on her life. That is hard to remember sometimes when our children are going through things, though. Maybe this will encourage you....2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
ReplyDeleteAnn, I know that you will work this out and that your faith will bring you through. Just keep telling yourself truth and do not listen to the enemy. I love you and you are a great witness to those around. You are a blessing in my life.
Thank you, Brandy for reminding me of that scripture. I memorized that probably 25 years ago and I used it alot when Mark was young.....in fact he memorized it at about 4 years old when he was having a lot of nightmares and fear. Also, thank you for the words of encouragement. I want to always give my God the glory for everything. I am nothing without Him. I love you, too!
ReplyDeleteGood morning ladies,
ReplyDeleteI have been able to access comments from home. I did read Ann's post from home but could not respond on the blog. I am amazed at your courage and certainly understand the concern and fear as a parent. Thank you Brandy for encouraging Ann with scripture. I will continue to pray for you and your family and may you know the strong protective hand of God for Hillary and yourself. Thank you for sharing and may it strengthen others.