H Words

Photo by Marcus Wöckel on Pexels.com

H Words — A Prayer

Hallowed be Thy name, a reminder of

His Holiness.

Hallelujah! Praise be to God for answered prayers! We have our

Hands lifted in praise! And our

Hearts are full of

Happiness, oh Lord, that my father has received a good three-month doctor’s report!

Hopeful for complete recovery, the miracle we request from You, Lord.

Health — may it be fully restored and retained. Please

Help us to

Hush, and

Hear Your still small voice of strength and comfort.

Hide us in the shadow of Your wings. Please

Heed  our

Hearts’ prayers, Lord. There are so many for whom we pray Your

Healing be present and alive. May we always

Have faith,

Hate what is evil, do what is good,

Hunger and thirst for righteousness,

Honor Your commandments to love friends and enemies.  Our

Hearts are full of thanks and praise!  In Jesus’ name…

Photo by Marcus Wöckel on Pexels.com

 

Time

“Time marches on,” we say, and use it as an excuse for all the things we didn’t get done in a day.  I have been struggling with time lately.  This 12-hour block (according to the clock) doubles to create the 24-hour box of our lives that (according to the calendar) repeats over and over and over.

We measure time differently, not just according to a clock or a calendar or a season, but according to our health, ambitions, and weariness of the 24-hour box we “spend” (like money), over and over and over.   My health has conflicted with my ambitions of how to spend time the past few months.  Even in writing this blog, I’ve “lost time” due to this bronchitis that just seems to hang on and steal my energy and desire to get things done.

Time is of the essence when thinking of my family as well.  With my parents facing serious health concerns, I realize I want to be closer to them geographically to be able to enjoy more time together.  This presents a difficult time/money management dilemma –how should our lives (Craig’s and mine) change in order to reach this important time goal?

The weather patterns of the Midwest haven’t helped much either; it seems spring has sprung elsewhere in the northern hemisphere, but not necessarily above the 35th parallel… As you might have guessed, I am still of the sentiment of my previous post:  “Spring you cannot come soon enough for me!”

My reprieve is that God is not defined by a clock.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)  I need to pray more for an eternal viewpoint, to keep my mortal, physical, sickly, speedy, cold and rainy, under-ambitious viewpoint in perspective.

Thank You, God, that “there is a time for every purpose under heaven,” and that You are beyond the boundaries of time.  Please help me “spend” my time more wisely, in ways that glorify You.

How do you struggle with time?

Seasonal Depression

When everything is difficult

Ordinary tasks seem to be huge hurtles

My mind is in a fog

Can I just take a nap?

My “want to” in things that usually bring me joy

Just falls into oblivion and dies

Only to be awakened

By a new season

A fresh start

Green shoots growing from the ground of my soul

Hopeful for a brightness in the sky

Begging for a lightness in my heart

And a flower of delight blooming where the dead leaves lay ignored

Oh Spring, where are you?

You cannot come soon enough for me.

C-Words

C-Words

CARE and

CONCERN on my heart

CANCER in my family.

CHANCE of a

CURE is my hope.

CONSIDER every option of treatment and

CONQUER this enemy.

CONTINUALLY pray every day because

CHRIST is the true Physician and Healer.

“For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.” –James 5:16b

Some of you may have heard by now that my father has been diagnosed with an aggressive and advanced prostate cancer. This sobering news has permeated our world and reminded us that we are not invincible. We live in a temporary world and are mortal beings with deteriorating physical bodies.

There are still tests to run and questions to be answered. I am frustrated that the doctors call it “aggressive” but they do not seem to respond in an aggressive or urgent way in scheduling necessary evaluations—evaluations that would give answers to help make decisions on treatment. Time seems to be of the essence, yet it feels like they are wasting it. Lord forgive my impatience with the doctors.

In this moment, I glance at the title of my blog and it’s a reminder—we have been given hearts of eternity. There is life beyond this physical world that awaits us as faithful believers in Christ. In the perspective that God sees, time is not of the essence, but faith is—believing in things hoped for, things unseen.

So we are back to faith—prayerful, hopeful, pleading prayers for healing and, ironically, for time. Time to enjoy together and time to laugh, time to plan and time to love in word and deed. Time is our earthly measurement. Faith, hope, and love our eternal yardsticks. Measurements of the heart.

One more C-word: CLINTON. That’s my father’s name. Please pray for him by name. Thank you.

Fire

“You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep those around you warm.”

“Sometimes the best thing you can do for a person is step back a bit,…by staying a few steps away, you’re somewhat more objective, and perhaps you provide a needed, and less weary shoulder to lean on.”

These two messages have been presented to me in the last 24 hours, and I see how much I need these words. I have a fire burning inside of me to help the people I love, yet it seems I can do more good by just standing guard and praying for them, waiting in the wings, until they call on me for a shoulder.

And in my waiting, I need to not let the fire consume me. I need to keep my emotions about these troubles from overtaking me or diminishing my readiness to help when called upon by them.

There is a war going on, and all I can do is stand guard and pray. Right now there are fiery darts being hurled upon my family and I am standing guard, holding up my shield of faith, and praying for deliverance, for healing of the wounded, for strength in all of us to fight another day.

“Soldiers of Christ, arise! And put your armor on. Strong in the strength which God supplies, through His beloved Son.”

If you are a prayer warrior, I implore you to pray for my family. I’m not at liberty to reveal any details other than we need your prayers.

“Above all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one,” Ephesians 6:16

Thank you in advance for your prayers.

Share

If you know me personally, you know I love to read and write.

If you know me personally, you know I have a dream of publishing my writing.

If you know me personally, you know I need your help.

So if you know me personally, feel free to share this blog and help me gain exposure to my reading audience.

If you know me personally, you know I am grateful.

Heart Beat

So many heart-wrenching things are going on in the world today, watching the news just beats a person down by inches.  We all walk around with our hearts beat up by sadness, shame, violence, terror, disappointment, fear, and so many other things that make it hard to keep a smile on one’s face.

I’ve written a story about a woman who learns she can make a difference for many by aligning her heartbeat with them to help them heal.  I think that’s what we need to do here.  My hope is that this blog will align thoughts and support of others who are dealing with the beat-down feelings of life, and together we can stand strong in the Lord and the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)

If you have a helpful word, a favorite verse, or some other form of encouragement, you are invited to share your responses.