"Strengthen the Feeble Hands, Steady the Knees That Give Way."
Archive for January, 2008
All These Things
Jan 30th
I think how high my car payment is and then I meet someone who walks to work. I complain because my faucet drips and then I meet someone with nowhere to live. I worry because I don’t make enough money and then I meet someone who is unemployed. I would like to be better looking until I meet someone who is horribly disfigured. I mourn because I don’t have a master’s degree and then I meet someone who dropped out of high school.
I am restless, often discontent, because I want to HAVE so much more or to BE so much more. It is my peace I sacrifice and anxieties I gain. When I rest peacefully—trusting—I find all is well. I take time to count my blessings and find I am rich, educated, and well cared for. I find in the midst of my lack incredible, incalculable worth in being the prince of a Mighty, Faithful, and Loving King.
This is the very reason we are told to seek first the Kingdom of God. Because while searching for it all else pales and upon reaching it no desires remain. All desires will be met; those we conceived and those we dared not More >
The Place of Brokenness
Jan 9th
It is a difficult place to be—the place of brokenness. It is not easy to dwell where direction is limited, answers few, a place where what little is know makes no sense at all. It is a testing as with fire to feel helpless, lost and broken. We are not built for such things. Our very souls crave stability, surety, confidence, and knowledge.
Sometimes the shaky ground of an uncertain tomorrow is enough to drive us to our knees. Then the dark mist of uncertainty begins to feel like slow death and there is little that can be said but—press on. So—press on!
“I lift my eyes up to the hills—where does my help come from?” (Psa. 121:1)
We have not trained ourselves, despite the past trials, to endure the long seasons of drought, or for that matter, the sudden storms. Because despite all that has gone before, His mercies must be ever new—ever measured for the present strife. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2Cor. 4:8).
“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psa. 121:2).
Our help comes from He who More >
A Year I Was Not Promised
Jan 1st
Well, 2008 is upon us. How did you fare during 2007? You know my main saga for 2007 – being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and fighting same. Yet, I am thankful. I have been graciously given a whole year of extra life. I am thankful to be able to address you after these arduous months. I am thankful for the many cards, letters, phone calls, emails and prayers on my behalf. Make no mistake, these gifts were bestowed upon Olive as well. You see, it is just as hard for her. I have the physical she has the mental anguish. She does quite a lot to keep me in high spirits and properly nourished.
As I look back to February, when my illness was confirmed, I remember my first bouquet of flowers from one of our nieces. She had called early in the morning to express sadness, wish me strength as time progressed and her prayers. That afternoon we received flowers from her. Ironically, the flowers were delivered by a Florist with the same name as her sister. I received a phone call from her sister also.
I remember the first ‘Get Well’ card from the children living on each side of More >
