Patterns

Whether you’re a seamstress making a dress, a carpenter cutting a counter top for a sink or a machinist making parts for a power plant, it is essential to have a pattern to guide you.  In car manufacturing a scale model or prototype is usually made of the new body design. 

We All Need It

It’s elusive.  We all need it, want it and spend time looking for it.  Because of our brokenness we look for it in the wrong places, for the wrong reasons and in the wrong ways.  We’re often blind to its very presence.  We are willing to pay for it at great cost, in time, self sacrifice, money, possessions, reputation, physical hardship and even abuse. The great paradox is that it finds those who are not searching for it and don’t deserve it, and those who have it receive more by giving it away.

Contentment and Its Enemy

In my early years as a follower of Jesus I became an avid reader of books that would help me grow in understanding the Bible and its relevance to the world around me.  One author who stood out to me because of the great impact he had on my thinking was Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer.  Even though I must admit feeling intellectually challenged by some of his writings, he had a way of cutting through the fog to the very heart of many theological issues.  My understanding of the nature of contentment I owe, in part, to his keen insight into the Scriptures.

Contentment or “Whatever…”?

Sometimes I get frustrated with the rate of physical progress I seem to be making in recovering from my long ordeal.  I can visualize myself doing all the simple things I used to do:  getting up from my chair and walking downstairs without getting winded, enjoying a meal without becoming exhausted, or hopping in the car and driving myself to Home Depot to get something for a fix-it job.  My mind says, “You can do it,” but my body says, “Whoa!  You’re not there yet!”

Beginnings and Endings

Beginnings are often adventures.  We never know how they will turn out.  Prior to Hu's surgery it was never in my wildest dreams to write a blog.  However, when our sons, who started the updates on Hu, left to return to their homes, it seemed wise to keep it going.  Not being very blog savvy, I often found myself sending emergency emails out to them for help in posting my entries.

I certainly have appreciated the support that I have received from so many while I have been submitting my entries to this blog.  Your emails, calls, cards, comments and mostly your prayers have been such a help along this difficult road for us. 

I have watched Hu go from barely able to stand alone without help to walking down the block by himself.  He will continue in pulmonary rehab for about six more weeks.  After that he will be on his own to continue to exercise in order to increase his stamina and expand his lung capacity.  Weakness and breathing issues are his limiting factors at this time.  We pray that they will continue to improve in the months ahead.

Recently, we mentioned our brother-in-law Don who had open heart surgery last week.  He did quite well until a few days ago when he developed some additional complications.  We are praying that he will have a full recovery, and we do appreciate your prayers for him as well.

Hu's progress has gotten to the point that we don't see weekly changes which makes it unnecessary for my weekly updates.  I want to thank you for sticking with me through this.  Even though I will no longer being doing updates, please know that although it is the end of this means of communication we continue to be grateful to you for your friendship and concern.  In every endeavor I have taken on I have learned through it, and this blog was no exception.

As a young girl I began my journey with the Lord when I realized that I was a sinner and accepted Jesus into my heart.  Along the way, I have made mistakes and faced challenges but through it all the Lord has been faithful to guide me.  How grateful I am for that beginning with Him, and I know that the end will be when He returns to take me to live with Him eternally.  That will be the perfect ending!

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. -- Phil 1:6

Soul Drought

Recently, as I was thinking about the severe drought that has plagued the Mid-West of the United States, it brought to mind the dryness of the place of my Parallel Journey.  Except for my one-time water torture experience, it was a totally waterless place.  The little bird-like “Two-ers”, carrying their empty cups (see my March 18, 2012, post, “The Gallery”), were intended only to intensify the torment of the desperately thirsty residents.