fear

I have been thinking about the pain that the people of this world have to endure. Our lives are a lot about loss…loss of trust; loss of life; loss of church; loss of spouse; loss of child; loss of a parent; loss of respect; loss of home; loss of friends; loss of freedom; loss of wealth; loss of a way of life….

I have found some of the most reassuring scripture in the oddest place (to me)…Revelation. When I was younger, I thought of Revelation to be scary…telling of times that I did not want to happen. Now, I’m thinking “Wow, we know what is going to happen! God is in control.”

These are some of the most beautiful words I have read lately:

“Don’t fear: I am First, I am Last, I’m Alive. I died, but I came to Life and my life is now forever. See these keys in my hand? They open and lock Death’s doors, they open and lock Hell’s gates.” (Rev. 1:17)

“Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer….Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing.” (Rev. 2:10)

“Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing….” (Rev. 3:10)

"Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate. Then he said, "It's happened. I'm A to Z. I'm the Beginning, I'm the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty.” (Rev. 21:3-6)

What do I have to fear? I know the One who holds my future, and the future of the universe, in his hands. He’s moved into my neighborhood…He’s right here beside me…He loves me more than I have ever been loved.

Lord, help me to put aside my fear, focus on you, and do the work you have put before me,

g

blessings

I have taken a blogging-“vacation.” I didn’t really plan to, but with school starting…I haven’t had time to think or expend energy on anything other than a new school year. Also, Kathy’s birthday was the 26th of August. Since then, I have had a “grief-relapse.” Sadness has unexpectedly drifted on my shoulders again. Any extra energy I might have had has been sucked out of me.

Yesterday, we celebrated Brett and Brooke’s birthday with a big “friends” party, and I have to write about how God blessed us, yet again.
The twins have never had a party that included their friends. They’ve just had family parties. They have been sick for most of their lives, and Todd and Kathy were always dealing with the logistics of hospital stays…not birthday parties.

As most of these kinds of events have been, this past year, it was relatively easy. I made the plans; Deb came with game ideas and great favor bags; Crystal helped get the invitations out and was at the party to help however we needed; Todd got the cake and headed up the basketball games at the party; Loyd made a table and hauled stuff (as usual); and MeMaw got the hotdogs ready.

Then, there were friends who helped. Friends we didn’t know until recently. One of Kathy’s friends, Lisa, was so sweet to get addresses for us. She also helped get girls to the party, and then she stayed and helped with the party. She has been a special blessing to me, these past two weeks…weeks that I have been so sad again. Another friend, Mrs. Smith…a teacher from the kids’ school, saw that Brooke didn’t have a many gifts as Brett did…and she went off and bought some more gifts for Brooke. Mrs. Smith told me that she had prayed for Brett and Brooke when they were having their transplants…all those years ago…and here she is involved in their lives, now…helping them again. These two ladies are some more of the special blessings that the Lord has sent our way, to bless us, yet again, in this hard time.

So today, I’m talking to the Lord, and this is what I am saying:
“Thank you, Lord, for all the bright blessings you have sent our way to light this dark path we are walking. Thank you for people who are willing to give of their time and resources…not because they have to, but because they want to. Thank you for the visible and material ways you have blessed us. We need all the help we can get.”

g

P.S. I know, if Kathy can look in on us, her face is beaming. She continues to be blessed… for whatever we give to others, lasts for all eternity.