A young boy with great faith

David and Goliath is a familiar story but after reading it again today I was thinking about David's great faith as he took on the giant Goliath.  Even his brothers ridiculed him for even thinking about going up against Goliath.  His faith in God was unwavering and he knew that even though he was just a boy that the Lord would take care of him if he called on His name.

That also brought to my mind a song entitled "His Name" by New Life Worship.  This is the chorus of the song:

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name

What a powerful God He is!  We thank you for your prayers for Hu especially since he had the bump in the road this week.  He has been gradually improving for which we are thankful.

We have appreciated the prayer requests that some of you have sent for us to pray for from time to time.  Please keep them coming as we want to share in your burdens as well as you in ours.  Together we can call on His name. 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.  Prov. 18:10

Bumps in the road

Our lesson today was: there are bumps in the road to healing.  This week Hu had noticed some significant changes in the way he felt so we were advised to make an appointment with his doctor.  After tests the doctor couldn't find the cause of the changes and told us it was "just a bump in the road".

This afternoon Hu was evaluated by a new therapist who will be working with him for a while.  We were discussing the week's events related to his changes, and she began to tell us about the "bumps in the road" to healing!  We thought that it was interesting that we heard the same theme from two medical people within the course of an hour.  Hu has experienced slow healing but "bumps in the road" while healing are new to us.

As I was mulling this over later in the day, I began to think about my spiritual life.  How often I have experienced "bumps in the road".  It isn't cause to give up or fret about, but an opportunity to take it to Christ and see how He will guide me over "the bumps".  He is faithful and my job is to trust Him to show me the way -- just like we learned from the medical people today.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psa. 16:11

The Big Decision (cont'd from Mar 18 post)

As I pondered the horrific plight of people whose souls had been reduced to mere capsules, it dawned on me that these were not the only forms of reduction that we had seen.  They were just a more modern and compact version of the pedestals with the stubby antenna-like structures on top that we had seen arrayed between us and the dais at the dingy in-processing station.  But in either case, they faced the same condition of utter monotony, never again to experience any form of human touch or love, not even a smile, only unending isolation and gloom – and no escape, not even the temporary reprieve of sleep that we know in this life.

I was also beginning to wonder at what point we would be expelled from this place since we were still living and obviously did not belong there.  Eventually, our track car rolled to a stop again and we were confronted with this very issue.  The authorities offered to eject us and said that if we continued on it would become more difficult and we would have to prove we were dead.  They already had seats (more like pouches) slung from high above prepared for us to sit in and be lifted out.  Sherril and I had to make a decision.

Wait until you get old!

My activity this afternoon was to take my mom to see some of her friends in her stage of life.  The big topic of conversation was how it is when you get old.  As she has done so faithfully over the years, she gave the Lord credit for keeping her in relatively good health so long, for 98 years now.

Although I can't relate to their time in life (yet), Hu and I can relate to Garren, our 15-year-old nephew whom I have mentioned occasionally.  Isn't it amazing how you have so much empathy for someone when you have walked in their shoes?  Garren has had a feeding tube for over a year now.  Hu consistently prays for him to be able to swallow and that the rest of his body will be restored to full health.  We were really blessed this week as we read his blog and the great sense of humor that he maintains throughout this long ordeal.  Also, we were excited to see Geoffrey and Nancy, his parents, as well as Garren interviewed on TV last week.  That is also on the blog.  If you want to see what God has done in Garren's life and enjoy his great sense of humor check out these latest posts at www.geoffreyjanes.com.

Hu continues to work at getting back to a normal lifestyle without complaint.  He often reminds me that the Lord has had a purpose in this long ordeal.  It is tempting to think about the "what ifs".  Your prayers have encouraged us and enabled us to wake up each day and look forward to see how God is going to strengthen him during that day.

 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2

A Woman's Steps Are Guided By The Lord

I was racing against the clock today trying to fit in some errands, visit my cousin Lee in a nursing home in a nearby town and get home in time to make Hu's lunch.  Although I shouldn't be surprised, it is always eye-opening when the Lord does something special for me. 

When I got to the nursing home I had something I needed to leave in the director's office.  Realizing it would take time from my visit with Lee, I considered leaving it in the car.  Instead, I decided to take it in with me.  Lee wasn't in his room.  As he is a social person, it is sometimes quite the time-consuming search to find him.  I decided to go to the director's office and leave my package, and who was sitting in the waiting area but Lee.  I felt blessed because the Lord knew my time constraints, and that is the last place I would have thought to look for him.  My mother would call that a "God sighting".

Hu continues to make minimal progress.  His wounds are almost healed, but he lacks stamina and breathing comes hard.  Although everyone is different we recently ran into a friend whose wife had a surgery similar to one of Hu's and he said that her breathing became easier as time progressed.  That was an encouragement to us.  Another God sighting!

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.  Psalm 37:23-24

The Gallery (cont'd from Mar 11 posting)

As our journey continued, we found ourselves for a short time in a brightly lit area, totally in contrast to what we had seen and experienced so far.  Before us was a large display that appeared to be molded out of white Styrofoam.  It consisted of tiered rows of slightly sculpted receptacles, spaced uniformly a few inches apart throughout the entire array.  In each receptacle was an object having the size, shape and appearance of an ordinary vitamin or medicine capsule.  The capsules were dark brown in color and mounted in an upright position.

Season of Life

Change has been an unexpected major part of our life for the last five months.  The first big event was to cancel our trip to Panama because of Hu's surgery.  We had planned on helping care for our grandchildren while our daughter-in-law Lisa made a ministry trip to the U. S. for a week and a half.

The next change came when my mother went to live with my sister Judy and brother-in-law Gary during Hu's hospitalization.  Never did we dream that four months later she would still be with them.

It's The Little Things That Count

Reflection can be a good thing as long as we don't stay in the past.  Hu and I have done a lot of reflecting about the events of the past four months.  We are glad to be reflecting on past events rather than knowing they lie ahead.  

I remember one day in particular which was a real encouragement to me.  Hu was in rehab and I had made a quick trip home to take care of some responsibilities.  I decided to call the nurses' station to see how he was doing, but much to my dismay a man answered the phone.  Thinking I had gotten a patient's room, I apologized and said I would try again.  He said, "No, you have the right number," and then I asked if he worked there and his reply was, "Not anymore than I have to."  I was wondering what kind of care Hu was getting.

The In-Processing (continued from Mar 4, 2012 posting)

As we continued our darkening descent along the circular track, we finally came to rest in a kind of station where many others were already waiting – although it was hard to see much in the shadowy environment.  About 30 or 40 feet to our right was a raised brown platform or dais.  Mechanically walking back and forth on the dais was the solid black form of an almost featureless man, who seemed to be giving instructions to other workers roaming among the parked track cars.  Between us and the dais was a faintly visible area filled with small pedestals uniformly spaced, each with a small black, vertically mounted rod, like a stubby antenna, on top.

How much does He care?

Our winter has been lovely, especially since I still have "Panamanian blood" from living there and prefer warm to cold.  As I was taking a short walk this week I was enjoying all the sights and sounds of spring.  The birds happily chirping, green grass, flowers in bloom and a quiet opportunity to reflect.  As much as I enjoyed that special treat from God, I was prompted a few days later to think about Heaven and the beautiful place that God has prepared there.  I think I have a pretty good imagination, but when it comes to Heaven I'm sure I have no idea how wonderful it will be.

How thankful we are for the Lord's continued goodness to Hu each step of the way.  What a comfort to know that He not only created and watches over the sparrows but that He deeply cares for Hu (and everyone) so intimately that every hair on our head is uniquely numbered!

Hu saw his rehab doctor for the first time yesterday since discharge.   Prior to our seeing the doctor, Hu was having his vital signs taken by a nurse who commented that he has a "low tech body in a high tech world."  I thought that really summed up where he is at this point.  Life moves along at a fast rate for everyone, but when Hu's body isn't able to keep up, it makes it challenging.  He is transitioning from a walker to a cane around the house.  The doctor was impressed with his walking ability. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Matt. 10:29-31

Running The Race

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting Mom and Dad since it was Carnaval here in Panama, and I had the week off from work. I was fortunate to be able to make the trip from Panama to Charlotte to check in and see how they were doing.  It was so great to see firsthand the progress Dad has made.  Although it has been a very difficult road, there IS progress.   I was also reminded that although we had hoped for a sprint to recovery, we are in the midst of a marathon.

The Descent

As you will recall from last Sunday’s post (see The Parallel Journey, Feb. 26), during the most critical days of my intensive care when my survival was in doubt, I was experiencing a reality of a different kind that ran parallel to my physical state.  In a few words, it was a bold adventure to visit Hell and report back. 

At the outset of our adventure Sherril and I had decided that whatever we did we would stick together.  As we arrived at the entrance of our destination, we climbed aboard the first track car and took our places, side by side at our desk-like seats, which were facing backward, away from the direction we would travel.  Obviously, that made us the last car.  (One of my earliest insights about this place was that everything seemed to be backwards, upside down or opposite of what one would expect.)  Also, for some reason I had been tagged at the entrance for special attention.

Suddenly, we were surprised by a smiling lady who popped into the entry way.  We recognized her as the coauthor of the book that we had read about her journey with her husband in this place and our inspiration for launching out on our own adventure.  She greeted us and quickly taped a strip of paper to the inside of the visor on each of our desks.  “You’ll need these later,” she said, then wished us well and departed as quickly as she had come.  Almost immediately we began to roll.

As we slowly descended down the inclined track, it took us on a broad circular route in a downward spiral.  We were comfortable enough as we began.  I remember there was even some background music. But the way grew steadily darker until there was only subdued background light – just enough to see people as silhouettes.  The walls and ceiling reminded me of a rough mining tunnel.  In our little track car we had air supply lines, which I assumed were needed because of the quality of the air we would encounter below.  

During the descent I noticed the background music had changed to a militant sounding tone with a theme that kept repeating.  Also, someone came by and partially cut my air supply line away after they noticed my tag, leaving me to breathe the bad air mixed with the good. I began to realize that this was not going to be a fun ride.  I was not going through this place as a passive observer; I had been selected to experience it.

  

Next time… “The In-Processing”

Reflecting back on this part of the journey, I sometimes think about how awful it would have been to have remained permanently in that state of darkness and am often reminded of the stark contrast between darkness and light.  I don’t know of any two terms that represent such polar opposite concepts.  

Throughout the Scriptures, darkness is used metaphorically to speak of despair, confusion, absence of the truth, evil and separation from God; while light is synonymous with hope, wisdom, truth, right living and God himself.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”  A very bold claim, indeed, unless he really is!  If we who call ourselves Christians are true followers of Jesus, we have received that light from Him and are called to live in such a way that those around us who live in darkness may see the goodness of God and worship Him.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matt 5:16 (NASB)

Ready!

Death has been a topic I have thought a lot about in recent months especially since Hu's close experience and his sister's death about seven weeks ago.  It is impossible to turn on the TV or pick up the newspaper without news of loss of life.  I was impacted by a lady who had been through a tornado this week in a mid-western state and lost her home--a reporter asked her what lesson she took away from this experience.  Her reply was, "Be ready to meet Him (Christ)".  None of us knows how long we have on this earth but the only thing that matters is whether or not we are ready to meet Christ.

Hu's recovery experience has been one of good days and bad.  We are thankful that the good days out number the bad days and for the continued strength the Lord gives to help him exercise each day.  We have had a very unusual winter in North Carolina and have had days in the 60's and 70's which have allowed Hu the opportunity to take brief walks outside.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:12,13