Laced With Grace

A few days ago, I went to see my friend Rose in the hospital. After months of health problems, I heard she’d suffered a seizure and was heavily medicated. I had no idea that she’d be unrecognizable. I went into her room and promptly came out thinking they’d given me the wrong room card. The patient I saw looked like a child-size emaciated refugee from Auschwitz, nothing like the Rose I knew. Three times I came out and three times the nurses assured me that the patient was indeed Rose.

So I went in again and starting talking to Rose. She shifted toward me. I talked some more. Her hand opened and I clasped it in mine. And then she spoke. Not words, just some sounds. But I knew. The voice was unmistakable. Rose’s distinctive husky voice.

I stayed a while, praying and sharing Scripture with her. It soothed both of us.

At first glance (and second and third glance), all I saw was a twisted knobby skeletal frame. But when I heard her voice, I knew that sweet, gentle Rose was inside the thorny brambles.

It’s like that with life sometimes.

I see the briars, the thorns, the brambles. I see a dark complex maze of problems and issues. And then, in the midst of it all, I’ll hear God’s unmistakable voice. I’ll sense Him in the midst of it all. And it soothes me. Then I can see past the mess to the message inside.

I’m so grateful for His presence in ALL things. No matter how difficult things appear, He’s there.

I pray you aren’t going through a thorny time right now. But if you are, be assured. He knows, He cares, and He wants to speak to you in the midst of it all. These are the times that grow our faith, when we can’t see for ourselves and so must trust.  Listen for that gentle voice and let Him lead you through.

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Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Cor. 4:16-18

Much love,

Susan

Ps – I saw my dear Rose today. She’s making some progress. She was able to briefly communicate coherently today and even joked. With a smile and chuckle, she said,“The Lord’s been good to me. I must have done something right.” As you read this or sometime during your day, would you pray for Rose? There are a myriad of issues, health-wise and otherwise, that need divine intervention. Thank you!

Where do you turn for help?  When life gets hard, do you run to tell others?  Or do you keep to yourself as you try to figure out a solution?  Maybe you try to pretend that nothing has changed to keep up appearances.  Or do you get so depressed that you don’t want to leave your home?

I recently watched a movie called The Company Men.  The story followed three men who lost their corporate jobs due to downsizing in the company.  The recession impacted the bottom line and so employees were let go.  It was interesting to see how each man dealt with this loss.

One man continued to leave his house at the usual time carrying his briefcase and returning home as usual so the neighbors wouldn’t realize he had no job.  Another man continued to go to the country club and golf despite the fact that he was unable to pay the monthly fees.  Keeping up appearances seemed to be so important to him.  Another man was so devastated and depressed, he spent time drinking alone in a bar.  Suicide seemed to be the direction he was heading.  Another man took a job that payed much less money and moved into his parent’s home with his wife and children to help make ends meet.

Although this movie was fiction, it resonated with me.  After all, this seems to be happening every day across the U.S.  People lose jobs, homes, loved ones to illness.

I was saddened to read the local news this past week.  A well known radio personality in my city was found dead along with his wife in a hotel.  It turned out that they were dealing with devastating financial and health issues.  They didn’t want to live and so they ended their lives leaving notes for their loved ones.  People were shocked by this news.  But people often take things into their own hands.

Where do you turn for help when you feel desperate?

Psalm 46:1-3 says:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, thought the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

These Scripture verses have so comforted and strengthened me during the past few years.

I experienced several major life changes and issues. I wish I could say I handled everything properly but that wasn’t always the case.  But one thing I always came back to and that was the ONLY ONE who had all the answers; the Lord.

I made the daily choice to pour out my heart to Him.  I prayed and asked for His help.  As I read my Bible, I realized that there was a purpose and plan for my life even in the midst of uncertainty and pain.  I learned many valuable life lessons through the painful trials.  And I’ve come to a point in life where I can truly empathize with others who are going through difficulties.

I encourage you to turn to the Lord when you need help.  He will lead, guide and direct you.  And in the process, He will provide His comfort and strength to get your through no matter how impossible it feels.

And when people ask you how you do it, you can give God all the glory.

Blessings and love,

 

We have vacationed at the beach many times in the past ten years. I just love the sound of the waves rushing in. Something about it just soothes me. Any frustrations, problems or stress that I may have just seems to wash out with each wave.

The thing about the ocean is that the same calming water can quickly turn into a raging storm. If your not careful and if you don’t watch for the signs, you can easily get caught right in the middle of it. Have you ever considered what your plan of action would be if you were in the middle of the ocean on your boat and suddenly it capsized…what would you do?

Most of us would probably panic. While others who are calm and organized would look for the life jackets or an emergency flare. But what if when the boat capsized, all of the emergency equipment got dumped into the deep waters and were out of your reach, what then?

I am not an award winning Olympic swimmer, so what I would do is probably stay with the capsized boat. Hold on for dear life and ride out the waves until help came. I know it wouldn’t be easy, with each wave slapping me hard, I would probably get tired of hanging on and eventually I might want to just give up, taking the risk of drowning.

If such a situation came up for real in our lives, I have to ask, why could we hang on for dear life and fight to the end but yet when the same scenario plays out in our spiritual life, we are not as eager to stay afloat or fight the raging winds?

MARK 4:39,40 39 “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And He said unto them, ‘Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?’ “

WHY are we so fearful? Jesus Himself asked the question. When financial difficulties, or physical ailments or relationship issues strike us, why do we become scared and unsure? The bank or a doctor may be able to help you for a time, but when you feel like you are all alone like Job was, when you are about to sink, where does your strength and resource come from?

Prior to going sailing, it is important to know where the anchor is….but more importantly, when you are sailing thru life it is even more important to know WHO your Anchor is! I know it is early in 2012 and most of us have had clear sailing so far, but as the days, weeks and months roll by, some of us are bound to come up against some mighty winds and roaring waves that just may knock us off of our sailing vessel. It is important to be prepared for such a time. Make sure that your faith, and endurance is anchored in the One Who can calm any storm.

Do you know the Master of the wind?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, in days ahead I know that trials and tribulations are bound to hit. I pray today that You will give me the strength, the power and the wisdom to hold on during these times. May I have Job-like faith and give you praise no matter what my circumstances may be. When life throws me a mighty big wave that seems to want to pull me under, may I hold on tight to Your anchor as you calm my storm. AMEN