She sat at the Bible study circle in a comfortable chair and listened. Usually an active participant, she chose not to speak. The topic was I Thessalonians 3 and the dialogue around the room was active and informative. But she remained silent. She felt worn and tired. She felt alone and fearful. She hid her emotions behind closed lips and weary eyes. She had wept a lot in the last hour and she did not want to cry now. So she sat quietly listening with dull attention. She was grateful no one noticed her somber attitude.
The Bible study ended and the leader asked for prayer concerns to be included in the closing prayer. "How's Dick?" The question was directed her way and the circle of friends all turned to look at her. It was at that moment she lost it. "I'm worried,"she blurted. Then she dissolved in tears. Between convulsive sobs she stammered. "His abdomen aches. He sometimes feels queasy. He wants to nap all the time. What am I going to do? I depend on him. He's my care-giver. I'm facing some hard decisions."
Immediately, several members of the group gathered around her, laid their hands on her shoulders, her head, her arms and they prayed. Concerned, loving, supportive, heart-filled prayers fell on her ears. She found herself shaking as if she was fighting an oppressive enemy, her arms and hands quivering as she welcomed the loving support of precious, faithful believers. The prayers called on the name of Jesus to support and heal Dick, to give her strength to face any challenges and to trust in God.
The prayers settled her and she stopped shaking. The Lord ministered to her and peace enveloped her. Her face wet with tears, she softly repeated, "Thank you", again and again. The group went back to their seats and then an unexplainable silence filled the room. A hushed quiet came over everyone. There was an awe, an unspeakable presence in that room....a Holy moment.
"The Lord is present," one voice in the group spoke quietly but clearly. No one responded. Everyone remained silent, relishing in the awareness that the Lord had indeed blessed their gathering. No thunderclaps, no drum rolls, no trumpets blasting. Instead the peace that only God can convey in the midst of need, worry and confusion. The pastor, in due time, brought the meeting to a close but all present knew this had been a precious moment.
She left the church with a friend who had driven her. She gazed at the wondrous colorful sunset as they drove to her house and she thanked the Lord for His amazing works.
The health concerns of Dick slowly improved. Initially complaining of abdominal aches, queasy stomach and severe fatigue, they went to Alex Bay River Hospital ER in the US, about 40 minutes away, for answers. The doctors were mystified as to what the problem was when the blood tests came back normal and even the abdominal CAT scan was clear. After a few days a probable cause was apparent.
The fishing boat had taken in a lot of water from heavy rains. Dick had tried to lift and move the boat onto the beach and in doing so felt a deep 'hurt' to his abdomen. Ah! Probably pulled a muscle or possibly even tore the abdominal muscle in that attempt. Remedy? Lots of rest and healing time!
For the next weeks she would make certain he had rest. She knew rest is necessary for healing. Meanwhile, she continued to experience healing improvements in her own energy level, ability in walking and arm skills. She continued to marvel at how the Lord blessed her.
She thought frequently of that Bible study evening. The Lord's presence, so gentle yet so powerful. In the midst of her uncertainty, worry and anxiety, God had reminded her once again that she should trust Him. She realized how weak and human she was, but God was, is and always will be in control of her life. Trust Him always! That was His message for her and she relaxed in His comfort and truth.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Safe Harbor
On the 18th of June, 2 loon chicks hatched in the back bay! On Wednesday, June 19, Janet and Dick took a quick ride in the pontoon boat and discovered the loon family of four at the deep end of Elliott Bay. The chicks, sitting on mommy's back were little balls of fluff! But they were safe and far from wandering fishing boats and kayaks. Janet was ecstatic! How wonderful to watch a new family as they grew and enjoyed the summer sun and warm water. Diana and Carin and their families were due to arrive next week so it would be fun for them to watch the loons.
Sunday, June 23 brought an amazing service at church! A guest speaker from New York came to speak and after an amazing talk and invitation, a number of people went forward to lay their concerns at the feet of Jesus and to reaffirm their commitment to the Lord of all!
On Tuesday Judy, a friend at church, told her she had goosebumps about a verse. "Janet, the Lord gave me this verse for you. 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength' Isaiah 41:31."
Then that following Wednesday evening there was another outpouring of the Spirit which moved deeply within Janet's heart.
As her healing has continued it has been filled with struggles and emotional highs and lows. She realized she had always been an emotional person and 3 years of dealing with brain cancer proved to her how rocky and unstable the brain can react. She praised God that she could think rationally, could balance the checkbook, could remember past events with utmost clarity but she could also dissolve into tears at the slightest provocation. Hunger, fatigue, slight misunderstandings triggered the sobs. She was thankful these episodes happened when she was in the house alone or with Dick but the outbursts disturbed her.
She was also thankful for the continual slow progress she was making. She definitely had more energy and she continued to push herself and try new physical pursuits. For example, she could now fold sheets! That sounds like a simple chore but by carrying the bunched up sheets to the spare bedroom she could stretch and lay them out on the bed and then by using mostly her left arm and hand, but with slight help with the right hand and fingers, she folded the sheets! What a HUGE accomplishment and she gave God glory!
However, she continued to struggle with the lack of physical dexterity in walking and use of her right arm and hand. Emotionally, she still had difficulty accepting her reduced mode of living. Having recently read a book by Joni Eareckson Tada, the quadriplegic (over 40 years) dynamic Christian, she realized what blessings she did have. She could walk and partially use her arm! So, as she sat through that Wednesday Bible study, she wondered if 'pride' was again her enemy.
At prayer time after the study she confessed her 'pride' and spoke about her emotional struggles. Then Dave, the guest speaker from NY, spoke to her. "You are like a ship that has gone through a violent storm with waves pounding, winds blowing...your ship almost was destroyed by the fierce storm. But you survived the storm and now you are in a safe harbor and that's where Jesus is. He is your 'safe harbor'. And what does a ship do when it's in harbor? The ship rests. It is refurbished, re-fueled, repaired, cleaned, inspected. All to get ready for the next voyage. Jesus has given you this time, this safe harbor, for a reason, Janet. Rest in it and listen to Him."
She thought so much on those words of counsel. Yes, just rest. Regain strength, let the body and brain heal. "Wait on the Lord and renew strength." There is more work to do. The voyage is not over.
The loon family continues to grow and flourish. Because of erratic summer weather...cold, rainy, high winds then hot and humid, the loons have been hanging out in York Bay, just beyond our 'back bay'. Seventeen of the Weisiger family, including Beth, also Glenn and Stephanie's family were here at the lake for about a week enjoying fishing, swimming, jumping off the raft with the 4 lab dogs, water skiing, boating, eating ice cream, playing 'kick the can', walking the lane, looking for bears, fishers (dangerous animal, like a weasel, will feed on porcupine), so of course looking for porcupine, deer and looking for loons on the lake. Lots of laughs, noise, dirty wet towels and LOVE!
And in the midst of all the interaction and confusion, she kept her focus on her care giver, the Lord, Jesus Christ. Just as God provides the family of loons with their safe harbor in York Bay, just remember, Janet, that He has provided you with safe harbor in Jesus to recuperate. REST!
Sunday, June 23 brought an amazing service at church! A guest speaker from New York came to speak and after an amazing talk and invitation, a number of people went forward to lay their concerns at the feet of Jesus and to reaffirm their commitment to the Lord of all!
On Tuesday Judy, a friend at church, told her she had goosebumps about a verse. "Janet, the Lord gave me this verse for you. 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength' Isaiah 41:31."
Then that following Wednesday evening there was another outpouring of the Spirit which moved deeply within Janet's heart.
As her healing has continued it has been filled with struggles and emotional highs and lows. She realized she had always been an emotional person and 3 years of dealing with brain cancer proved to her how rocky and unstable the brain can react. She praised God that she could think rationally, could balance the checkbook, could remember past events with utmost clarity but she could also dissolve into tears at the slightest provocation. Hunger, fatigue, slight misunderstandings triggered the sobs. She was thankful these episodes happened when she was in the house alone or with Dick but the outbursts disturbed her.
She was also thankful for the continual slow progress she was making. She definitely had more energy and she continued to push herself and try new physical pursuits. For example, she could now fold sheets! That sounds like a simple chore but by carrying the bunched up sheets to the spare bedroom she could stretch and lay them out on the bed and then by using mostly her left arm and hand, but with slight help with the right hand and fingers, she folded the sheets! What a HUGE accomplishment and she gave God glory!
However, she continued to struggle with the lack of physical dexterity in walking and use of her right arm and hand. Emotionally, she still had difficulty accepting her reduced mode of living. Having recently read a book by Joni Eareckson Tada, the quadriplegic (over 40 years) dynamic Christian, she realized what blessings she did have. She could walk and partially use her arm! So, as she sat through that Wednesday Bible study, she wondered if 'pride' was again her enemy.
At prayer time after the study she confessed her 'pride' and spoke about her emotional struggles. Then Dave, the guest speaker from NY, spoke to her. "You are like a ship that has gone through a violent storm with waves pounding, winds blowing...your ship almost was destroyed by the fierce storm. But you survived the storm and now you are in a safe harbor and that's where Jesus is. He is your 'safe harbor'. And what does a ship do when it's in harbor? The ship rests. It is refurbished, re-fueled, repaired, cleaned, inspected. All to get ready for the next voyage. Jesus has given you this time, this safe harbor, for a reason, Janet. Rest in it and listen to Him."
She thought so much on those words of counsel. Yes, just rest. Regain strength, let the body and brain heal. "Wait on the Lord and renew strength." There is more work to do. The voyage is not over.
The loon family continues to grow and flourish. Because of erratic summer weather...cold, rainy, high winds then hot and humid, the loons have been hanging out in York Bay, just beyond our 'back bay'. Seventeen of the Weisiger family, including Beth, also Glenn and Stephanie's family were here at the lake for about a week enjoying fishing, swimming, jumping off the raft with the 4 lab dogs, water skiing, boating, eating ice cream, playing 'kick the can', walking the lane, looking for bears, fishers (dangerous animal, like a weasel, will feed on porcupine), so of course looking for porcupine, deer and looking for loons on the lake. Lots of laughs, noise, dirty wet towels and LOVE!
And in the midst of all the interaction and confusion, she kept her focus on her care giver, the Lord, Jesus Christ. Just as God provides the family of loons with their safe harbor in York Bay, just remember, Janet, that He has provided you with safe harbor in Jesus to recuperate. REST!
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