The Furrowed Brow (cont'd from Apr 22 post)

As I prepared to write this next segment of the Parallel Journey today, the Lord drew my attention to a familiar Scripture passage.  James, Chapter 1, verses 2-3 says, “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”  The passage goes on to say that persevering under trial eventually earns a “crown of life” from the Lord.  Please note that it does not say that the trials are a joy, but the end result.  We just saw in the last segment that Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame,” for the extreme joy that would be his in the end (Heb. 12:2). 

Caring for the Caregiver

The fact that the caregiver needs tender loving care was something that hadn't occurred to me before Hu's hospitalization.  It was a revelation to me for so many to ask specifically about how I was doing and offered opportunities of relief and relaxation for me.  This week I was impacted by how blessed I have been to have had good health throughout this time.  I'm normally pretty healthy but given the numerous hours spent in the hospital, irregular sleeping times and places and varied meal schedule, I know it is a direct result of the prayers of so many of you that my health has been sustained so I could provide the care that Hu has needed.

Testing the Inner and Outer Eyes (cont'd from Apr 16 post)

During this new phase of the journey I was sitting back in the track car – alone.  What had happened to Sherril?  I had been told earlier when I asked about how she was doing, that I didn’t want to know, implying that she was having a hard time and being tortured.  But this time someone said, “Oh, she’s miles ahead of you!”  I took that to mean she was finishing well (implying that I was not), but then I also remembered again that nothing heard in this place can be trusted and often meant the opposite.

I Need a Thankful Heart

An article on thankfulness in the Reader's Digest caught my eye.  I was struck by the author's comment which was:  "Until you learn to be grateful for the things you have you will not receive the things you want."

Later in the day I received an email from a dear friend about a message she had heard by a TV evangelist and in her notes from the message quoted a statement he had made  "Until you can be thankful for something that is not enough, then what you have cannot be multiplied into what is more than enough."  I realized it was the lesson that the Lord had for me for the day.  It is always amazing the way the Lord can speak to me in the most unique circumstances.

More Breathing Trials (cont'd from Apr 8 post)

As my journey continued, inching along the wall of the great pit, suddenly, a series of popping sounds erupted off to the right again.  I knew another pipe was growing toward me and dreaded to see what form of torture it would bring.  Fear of the unknown…certainty of greater suffering…this was the sinister strategy of this place, as I had learned already, using mind games to intensify pain.  Quickly, the second pipe appeared, extending parallel to and below the first one, which was no longer growing to follow my progress along the track.  As soon as it was overhead, it could see and hear it begin to pour out its contents…

Grace

Grace, the unmerited favor of God, was our topic in our ladies' Bible study this morning.  How amazing it is to realize that Jesus paid the price for my sins and as a result I have the gift of eternal life just by accepting His free gift.  Often I have heard the statement, "by the grace of God...," but many times I don't really think about what God's grace has done for me.  Not only has it shaped my life here on earth but for eternity.  He continues to shower His grace on me even though I don't deserve it.

Breathing Challenges Begin (cont'd from Apr 1 post)

For much of the journey from here on I sensed being flat on my back.  I’m not sure what kind of conveyance I was on, but it resumed the spiraling circular type of course we had traveled in the track car. As before, I was moving slowly backwards, seemingly descending along the outer edge of a very large pit.   I was unable to change positions or move my limbs, totally at the mercy of the forces in charge.  Interspersed throughout the journey, however, were moments when I was able to view my body as an observer looking on to the scene.  These would become more frequent toward the end.

Not surprisingly, many of the trials I was about to experience were related to breathing.  I had suffered early on from the cutting away of my air line during the descent to the in-processing station, but that was just a minor irritation in comparison to what lay ahead. 

Are we there yet?

Our family was no different than others.  When we would take a trip, someone would usually ask, "Are we there yet?"  Often that is the way I feel with Hu's journey.  I couldn't imagine that the healing and recovery process would take nearly as long as some have indicated to us.  In the back of my mind I thought, "Well, this will be different."  This week as we were listening to Randy Alcorn's devotional, 90 days of God's Goodness, he made the point not to dwell on the cause of suffering but how God will use it.  That helps us to look at this journey from a different perspective.

A Celebration!

Ninety-nine years is a long time!  On Monday, my mother reached that milestone.  How blessed we are to have had her for this length of time.  I often think of her teaching in my life.  I probably could come up with a list of 99, but I'd like to share 11 instead (like the candles on her cake each represented 9).

By example she taught me:

A Time for Reflection (cont'd from Mar 25 post)

Every so often, as I meditate on my journey, I find myself becoming depressed.  While I want to portray the experience as accurately as I can, it’s also true that dwelling on the details too long can actually become oppressive unless I take time to step back and try to keep everything in perspective.  For me, the only real antidote for this is to go to the refreshing water of the Word of God, and sometimes just to cry out to Jesus in thanksgiving for setting me free from the tyranny of this spiritual oppression.