“This is what the Lord says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’” (Jeremiah 6:16a)
Sleep is a beautiful thing. I can say that very proudly as I got my first good night of sleep in over two weeks. This beautiful spring air is doing a number to my sinuses. My allergies are in full force. I have trouble breathing. I am constantly blowing my nose. My eyes feel like they have scratches on them. I am starting to hear a gurgling in my ears and all these things combined leave me up most of the night because it’s hard to sleep when you can’t breathe and you are always blowing your nose! It took all weekend but the insurance company approved the meds the doctor prescribed last week and I slept all night.
My relief comes in small doses. If I want to sleep all night I have to take this pill at night which means I may be blowing my nose quite a bit today, at least until I supplement with something over the counter, but there is relief. I will probably continue to be trapped in the house for a couple more weeks and then POOF my allergies will disappear, the drainage will go away, and I will be as normal and I can get. In all the trials I have gone through, and that lay before me, this is probably small in comparison but it is a hard time for me all the same.
Life is a constant stream of experiences, some of them joyful and some painful. If we let Him, God can use anything to bring us closer to Him and to make us stronger. I am surrounded by the joys of new life, friends making new homes, new beginnings, and even new careers. I am equally surrounded by risky surgeries, the return of cancer, and people I love having to face the pain of losing their jobs, homes, and security. Over and over again this week I have heard that God will use our trials to make us stronger. I swear versus that cover this are everywhere I turn and I appreciate it so much. As I spent about a month in a shadow of time and I see myself coming out of that, stuffy nose and all, I am thankful that I know that God will bring me through anything no matter how insignificant it may be or how heavy the burden feels.
“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)
Thank you, Judy, for sharing these specific verses this morning. God continues to bless me through the words you write and share with so many. I may have just discovered a “favorite” verse for strength and comfort: 1 Peter 5:10-11. I praise God for the inspiration you give through His word!
Comment by Vivian — June 2, 2009 @ 2:25 pm |