Sufficiency

Headed to Austin on Thursday, we had friends coming in to stay with us...Mel was on a business trip and met me late Thursday night. Friday morning...I woke up with a huge pain in my side and felt awful. After several hots baths (my cure for most things) several stomach alarms and a continued digression to use any of my muscles...I told Mel in barely a whisper that something was really wrong...landed in the ER early Friday afternoon....in a mess of a state. We can make our plans...BUT GOD is in control of our ultimate itinerary.

I had a kidney stone that had lodged at the entrance of my kidney and unknowingly to me for days had wreaked havok on my body...and now the bad stuff had been launched into my whole blood system, seizing control and causing what was later explained to me a body that was septic....and in big trouble. Greatly dehydrated and in need of serious amo....surgery and drugs. Four days later I was released...and on the mend with just a few more hurdles to conquer the next few weeks. God's timing for the catch was good. And prayers were answered on all fronts. But I continued to wonder ....what does God want me to learn from this...and how is he going to use this experience to advance his kingdom. I always am convinced that he is advance mode ...for all of us who are seeking his to do his will and heed his word. You know he never waster anything that happens to any of us.

I wanted so desperately to get out of the hospital on Sunday....and argued and debated every point conceivable....but the doctor held his ground in spite of the inconvenience to my family. My daughters, all three of them, two came in from Houston, and of course my husband were there at every turn....and friends waited on the sidelines in support. On Monday when I was really at rope's end being stuck and not knowing what news his decision of this day would bring...Jamie sent me the daily devotional from "Jesus Calling" for that day. Had no idea that there was an "app" you could get for an "I" phone that would give it to you audibly...It was Jesus calling ME!

Please read this slowly and carefully and take into account the times when you have been in a weakened position. I am not much for letting go of my reigns....and I try and then I take them right back...this was just yet another reminder of God's grace and sufficiency through his son Jesus.

September 27
Relax in My Everlasting Arms

Your weakness is an opportunity to grow strong in awareness of My Almighty Presence. When your energy fail you, do not look inward and lament the lack you find there. Look to ME and My sufficiency; rejoice in my radiant riches that are abundantly available to help you.

Go gently through this day. leaning on Me, and enjoying My Presence. Thank ME for your neediness, which is building trust bonds between us. If you look back on your journey thus far, you can see that days of extreme weakness have been some of your most precious times. Memories of these days are richly interwoven with golden strands of MY intimate PRESENCE.

Deuteronomy 33:27;

27 The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemy before you,
saying, 'Destroy him!'

Psalm 27: 13-14

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

What a great reminder to be steadfast in our faith....and secure in our weakness. For it is in our weakness that we are forced to allow God to show his strength. But did you catch the word BE THANKFUL...I was thankful for God's timing, for God's provisions of good doctors and a wonderful facility and supportive family and friends... but I have to say it did not occur to me to be thankful for my neediness...next time it will...in all circumstances.

Please just enjoy this message and not let it be about me but about how the Lord works...and focus on that and not the other. That is the one of the things about these true life stories that I am hesitant to share. The purpose always it to reel you as my precious friend and reader into God's word and God's way. These are His nudges....His ideas...His lessons...I am merely a messenger with a simple story that hopefully reflects the relationship with our precious Jesus that is available to all who seek his friendship.

Dear God, Thank you for the gift of being needy...and knowing that you are there to sufficiently and proficiency meet each and every true need that we have. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!