I don't want to leave anyone hanging after yesterday's entry.
I have heard it said that the quickest way out of the pit of despair is by using the ladder of praise. Well, through God's mercy and the support and prayer from many friends across the globe, I woke up this morning with a song in my heart and a sense of peace like I haven't felt in a long time, and I have been singing God's praises all day long.
Work went smoothly all day. My daughter is feeling better, and dad is holding his own, though he will still be on the ventillator for a few more days. We'll see what comes next when we get there. Until then, I know that God is in control and everything will work out as it is meant to be. So, no worries! PTL!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Storms
As I was driving home from work today, I couldn't help but notice how stormy it was outside. The clouds surrounding the valley where I live were thick and black, and nearly reached the ground, they were so heavy with moisture. It is cold, and windy. It even snowed off and on throughout the day today.
I found this particularly fitting, because my day had been stormy as well. Work was hard. I was needed in too many places at the same time all day long. My phone rang off the hook. I just couldn't pull it all together. Also, one of my patients is facing the end of her life, and I felt the need to be with her as much as I could throughout the day. Additionally, I have spent many hours in the urgency care clinic and the doctor's office this week with a sick child. On top of that, my daughter called us last night to tell us that she is getting married--in 2 months! Then, my brother called this morning to tell me that our dad was in the hospital and needed emergency surgery. (He pulled through but is still in critical condition).
Sometimes I wish that the world would stop spinning for a while, so I can catch my breath. All of this reminded me of the storm the disciples went through. They were out on the sea, when a terrible storm hit. It was so strong that they were all certain that they were going to die (and they had the experience to know when to be afraid). Jesus was with them on the boat. And he was sleeping. When the disciples woke him, in a panic, he addressed the storm and told it to "be still" and it obeyed. I am so glad that I serve a God who can calm even the fiercest storm in my life, too!
I found this particularly fitting, because my day had been stormy as well. Work was hard. I was needed in too many places at the same time all day long. My phone rang off the hook. I just couldn't pull it all together. Also, one of my patients is facing the end of her life, and I felt the need to be with her as much as I could throughout the day. Additionally, I have spent many hours in the urgency care clinic and the doctor's office this week with a sick child. On top of that, my daughter called us last night to tell us that she is getting married--in 2 months! Then, my brother called this morning to tell me that our dad was in the hospital and needed emergency surgery. (He pulled through but is still in critical condition).
Sometimes I wish that the world would stop spinning for a while, so I can catch my breath. All of this reminded me of the storm the disciples went through. They were out on the sea, when a terrible storm hit. It was so strong that they were all certain that they were going to die (and they had the experience to know when to be afraid). Jesus was with them on the boat. And he was sleeping. When the disciples woke him, in a panic, he addressed the storm and told it to "be still" and it obeyed. I am so glad that I serve a God who can calm even the fiercest storm in my life, too!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
To be with Jesus
Well, I had to say goodbye to the sweetest lady I ever met yesterday, as she completed her journey on this earth. I will miss her more than words can say. But I am more than grateful for the time I was able to spend with her and to care for her, though I believe she did as much caring for me as I did for her. P.G. was a beautiful lady, inside and out. She raised four amazing children, which is a legacy to the life she lived. Even in her last few years, spent in a nursing home, she was able to work for the Lord, as she reached out to those less fortunate than herself and offered friendship and love to those that needed it. She spoke daily of her love of God, and shared His love freely. She was an inspiration to us all.
So, I am going to work this morning with a hole in my heart. But I praise God that the goodbye I had to say yesterday was really only, "see you later." Reunion day in heaven will be such an unspeakable joy, and it reminds us that our sadness is only temporary, and the reward is worth the wait.
So, I am going to work this morning with a hole in my heart. But I praise God that the goodbye I had to say yesterday was really only, "see you later." Reunion day in heaven will be such an unspeakable joy, and it reminds us that our sadness is only temporary, and the reward is worth the wait.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
An Easter Revelation
I am still reading "3:16 the Numbers of Hope" by Max Lucado. What I read this week just blew my mind, so I have to share.
"Mary, the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene have come to the tomb to place warm oils on a cold body and bid farewell to the one man who gave reason to their hopes.
"The women think they are alone. They aren't. they think their journey is unnoticed. They are wrong. God knows. And he has a surprise waiting for them.
" 'An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb, and rolled the stone away from the entrance' (Matt 28:2 NCV).
"Why did the angel move the stone? For whom did he roll away the rock?
"For Jesus? That's what I always thought. but think about it. Did the stone have to be removed in order for Jesus to exit? did God have to have help? Was the death conqueror so weak that he couldn't push away a rock?
"I don't think so. The text gives the impression that Jesus was already out when the stone was moved! For whom, then, was the stone moved?
"Listen to what the angel says: 'Come and see the place where his body was' (v. 6 NCV).
"The stone was moved--not for Jesus--but for the women; not so Jesus could come out, but so the women could see in!"
This was just such an amazing thought. The Lord was already risen. The tomb was empty. God had conquered sin and death. But no one knew. So, the angel had to move the stone, so that humans could be in on the action! It made me wonder what other stones he has needed to move, in my life, so that I could see what was really going on!
"Mary, the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene have come to the tomb to place warm oils on a cold body and bid farewell to the one man who gave reason to their hopes.
"The women think they are alone. They aren't. they think their journey is unnoticed. They are wrong. God knows. And he has a surprise waiting for them.
" 'An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb, and rolled the stone away from the entrance' (Matt 28:2 NCV).
"Why did the angel move the stone? For whom did he roll away the rock?
"For Jesus? That's what I always thought. but think about it. Did the stone have to be removed in order for Jesus to exit? did God have to have help? Was the death conqueror so weak that he couldn't push away a rock?
"I don't think so. The text gives the impression that Jesus was already out when the stone was moved! For whom, then, was the stone moved?
"Listen to what the angel says: 'Come and see the place where his body was' (v. 6 NCV).
"The stone was moved--not for Jesus--but for the women; not so Jesus could come out, but so the women could see in!"
This was just such an amazing thought. The Lord was already risen. The tomb was empty. God had conquered sin and death. But no one knew. So, the angel had to move the stone, so that humans could be in on the action! It made me wonder what other stones he has needed to move, in my life, so that I could see what was really going on!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Inadequacy
Well, today, once again, I came face to face with my inadequacy as a Christian. I have a dear friend who is really facing some giants in her life right now. I tried my very best to help her through this difficult time. I felt that I would be able to do something for her. After all, I write books about how powerful my God is, that He can change lives. I just taught my class at church about Elijah on Mount Carmel, confronting 800 prophets of Baal, in a "My God is bigger than your god" battle, and I know that He is. I know that there is no problem that we can face that God can't handle. I know that there is no problem that we can face that God doesn't understand and care deeply about. I know that God can make the best come out of even the worst situation--He has done it for me.
But when I tried to help my dear Sister, I didn't have the words to say or the advice to give. I told her that God had a plan for her life. I said that she needed to trust God to show her what to do, that she needed to be patient, and allow him to work out the details. And I prayed with her (out loud, which I know most of you already know has been a hard skill for me to acquire). I said the best, most heart-felt prayer I could. And it was not enough.
Or at least it felt that way. I know that what I said is true. God will work out the details for the plan he has for her life. She can trust Him. But what if she is really just thinking, "That was nice of her to try to cheer me up," but she doesn't really believe it? I guess I expected some kind of miracle to happen right then. You know, tongues of fire, like the disciples experienced at Pentecost, or at least an overwhelming sense of peace, or something to indicate that God heard our prayers. How will she know that what I told her was the truth? What more could/should I have done? Or do I just sit back and say, "well, God, I did what I could. The rest is up to you?" (of course, it is!) It is just hard to try to help and not see any results. So, I guess I just keep praying and keep trying, right?
But when I tried to help my dear Sister, I didn't have the words to say or the advice to give. I told her that God had a plan for her life. I said that she needed to trust God to show her what to do, that she needed to be patient, and allow him to work out the details. And I prayed with her (out loud, which I know most of you already know has been a hard skill for me to acquire). I said the best, most heart-felt prayer I could. And it was not enough.
Or at least it felt that way. I know that what I said is true. God will work out the details for the plan he has for her life. She can trust Him. But what if she is really just thinking, "That was nice of her to try to cheer me up," but she doesn't really believe it? I guess I expected some kind of miracle to happen right then. You know, tongues of fire, like the disciples experienced at Pentecost, or at least an overwhelming sense of peace, or something to indicate that God heard our prayers. How will she know that what I told her was the truth? What more could/should I have done? Or do I just sit back and say, "well, God, I did what I could. The rest is up to you?" (of course, it is!) It is just hard to try to help and not see any results. So, I guess I just keep praying and keep trying, right?
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