Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
http://theacappellacompany.com/haditnotbelo.html
 |
| Jessica and a little friend December 2011. Jessica had a skiing accident on Spring Break in 2009. She nearly died several times due to the traumatic nature of the brain injury she sustained. What a powerful witness she and her family have become to those who have followed her story. |
So many of my friends are going through difficult, long term struggles. Honestly, I don't know how they keep going day after day, except for one thing - they trust God.
I read Lisa Boone's update on Jessie this morning. She is always such an inspiration to me with her wisdom and faith. I thought of the Akeman Family and all they are facing and I thought of other dear friends who have been fighting battles for years, with little relief. I pray that each one of them can see God's Presence, that they can feel His
constant love and comfort and the unsurpassing peace that comes from resting in Him - no matter what.
Paul endured so much suffering and pain yet he kept his eyes on Jesus. Paul had an
encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Meeting Jesus, face to face,
changed his life forever. Nothing else mattered after that - only that He get the message
to everyone. Jesus is the Son of God!
Though he struggled daily, he knew Heaven was worth it.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Here's the latest update on Jessica Boone. Please continue to pray. I know we are all so busy with our lives. So much to do... things that we just absolutely must get done... but please take a moment to pray for all those people who are facing challenges and illnesses. They had things that they had to get done, too, but now, their lives are on hold, consumed with the struggle they are facing.
Our busy, active lives can be changed in a moment by an accident, illness, disease, a broken relationship... Don't let yourself become too busy to pray for those who are hurting. It could be you, next time, who needs the prayers of your friends and family. Then all those things you are so concerned about getting done - they won't matter at all.
3-7-12 Wednesday
Posted 9 hours ago
We decided we would turn in early last night for bed. So at 800PM...lights out. The Boone family was done with Tuesday. So we thought.. Soon after the CBC we had been waiting on all day came through and her hemoglobin was at a critical level of 6.8 which would require a transfusion of blood now. By midnight blood was hanging, vital signs were being taken every 15 minutes and we were thankful for the blood that someone had generously donated. Shortly after Jessie wanted to go to the bathroom. Bill and I both got up to help her and to maneuver all the tubes and poles. Without warning she passed out and hit the floor. By His Grace and Mercy and her angels...she wasn't hurt.
So needless to say there was little sleep last night...and lots of assessments and monitoring.
His mercies are new every morning. She ate a huge breakfast, her sodium looked good which means the diabetes insipidus is resolving itself. Her liver enzymes and bili were a little elevated today which means a procedure tomorrow where the radiologist will go in and dilate the tube in her liver and possibly place a stint. If this doesn't help things flow better they will reattach the bag to her liver drain and allow the bile to come out into the bag.
This am devotion in Streams...We were harassed at every turn...(2 Corinthians 7:5) Boy did that sound familiar...Yes Lord I thought, we have been harassed at every turn..And it goes on to say..
"One of His purposes is to show us His all-sufficient strength and grace more effectively than if we were free from difficulties and trials. Another purpose is to bring us to a greater awareness of our dependence upon Him. God is constantly trying to teach us how dependent we are on His Care alone. This is exactly where Jesus Himself stood and where He desires us to stand. We must not stand with self made strength but always leaning upon Him. And our stand must exhibit a trust that would never dare to take even one step alone. This will teach us to trust Him more. There is no way to learn of faith except through trials. They are God's school of faith, and it is much better for us to learn to trust Him than to live a life of enjoyment. And once the lesson of faith is learned, it is an everlasting possession and an eternal fortune gained. Yet without trust in God, even great riches will leave us in poverty."
This reading reminded me once again to count it all gift, no matter what, for He is gifting us with trust and faith which is an everlasting possession and an eternal fortune.
I was blessed by my prayer group coming up this evening and meeting in the chapel of the hospital instead of the church. To be able to sit with them and pray scripture...Such a precious time and a deep reminder of How His Spirit gives us Life in so many ways.
Jessie was blessed to feel good enough for her small group of about 6 girls to come and visit her in the hospital. This is their night to gather as a group and study God's Word and grow into young women of God. They came bringing cards and ice cream. She was so happy to see them. Thank You God for these special young ladies and their leaders for their loving example of friendship and sisterhood no matter what happens.
Tonight as I was riding up on the elevator from the cafeteria a nurse got on and was greeted by another nurse who said, Hey...are you working with us tonight. She smiled and said no, I am going to 7. The other nurse said, Man, I wish you were working with us on 4. And I gently intruded in their conversation and said, Not me...we need good nurses on 7 too.. She smiled and nodded and got off the elevator with me. We talked very casually and then parted our ways. Her soul was gentle. Just a few minutes ago, Jessie's evening nurse came in bringing her evening meds and to do an assessment...There she was,the nurse I had just met on the elevator. She smiled so big and said...Hello, Jessica, My name is Bridgette. Your mom and I have already met. We were both enjoying this moment of realization and she said..."That is why you must always be kind to others....You never know who you are going to encounter later down the road. We both in union of spirit nodded in agreement.
What a beautiful thought to close with tonight as the Boones are going to bed. American Idol is over, the shower is done, the pills given, the beds made....
We must always be kind...for we never know when we are entertaining an angel, or a future nurse, or a mom of a future patient, or....or....or..... God's gift to us tonight? Bridgette, a gentle soul, with a sweet preview of what was to come as she gently reached out to Jessie and overtook her care. Thank you God for those big ole hands that always hold us. For being reminded again You are always a step ahead of us preparing the way. You have already got Jessie's procedure ready for tomorrow. Thank you for never sleeping and always being present in every moment. We love You and give You ALL glory honor and praise. God Night...
Blessed be the Lord, who would not give us up.
Blessed be the Lord, for His unfailing love...
The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our hope is in the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment