Peace, Be Still

Yesterday Elaine visited a pain management clinic in which she received thirteen neck injections specific to her treatment. As a child, my sister always dreaded having to endure even one shot at the doctor’s office. Now she embraces multiple injections just to counteract her ongoing quadriplegic body stiffness and pain.

During our conversation last night, Elaine shared a wonderful God report. She told me that a few days ago just before being helped out of bed for the day, God’s peace strongly rested upon her. Elaine recounted God’s heart-flooding peace visiting in a way not felt by her in some time. What a wonderful testimony of God’s faithfulness in the midst of hardship!

Many people pray regularly for Elaine. Prayers originate from Elaine’s, Mom’s and my church families; Joni’s disability organization; and from family and friends. The special peace Elaine encountered this week came directly from God answering the specific prayers of His people.

Despite her earlier tough medical visit, Elaine shared appreciation for the many prayers being lifted up for her. Many people have asked for God’s peace to rest upon her. As a believer, she knows prayer changes things–even horrendous things. Through our conversation, hope could be heard in her voice.

Jesus, our Advocate, prays to the Father for us. The suffering Servant empathizes, petitions and visits His children whispering to us, “Peace, be still My child.”

Joni’s Witness in Suffering

Tonight during a live, National Day of Prayer special webcast, Joni Eareckson Tada beautifully shares about suffering and spirituality. Joni, a 46 year-long quadriplegic, candidly articulates her extreme challenges of simply starting a new day. She admits that just before receiving her first cup of coffee and being hoisted from her bed thoughts of beginning a new day can overwhelm her.

As a suffering woman of strong faith, Joni recognizes her need to combat enemy advances. Her strategies of singing hymns of faith, quoting Scriptures and praying for the less fortunate comprise just some of her spiritual warfare arsenal.

With her mission to the disenfranchised including the elderly and physically challenged, Joni makes the tremendous effort to arise each morning to accomplish God’s work. She relies on the power of Christ to give her the strength so desperately needed. When a woman of God who painfully endures quadriplegia for decades continues to reach out to assist the suffering, God is mightily at work.

Question: Are we Christians with full working limbs eager to greet a new day, expectant to serve the suffering for the cause of Christ?  

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48b)

 

A Salute to Elaine’s Volunteers

For over three years now, gracious volunteers have regularly visited Elaine showing their compassion and love for her and us. Elaine’s condition requires constant care, and many wonderful volunteers have stepped up to the plate to assist her.

These volunteers are busy people with lives filled with demands and concerns of their own. However through sacrificial love, they regularly sit with Elaine for three hours or more at a time saving additional, paid caregiver expense.

Words cannot express the gratitude felt for these dozen plus people who have put their lives on hold for Elaine. Many bring food to Elaine and faithfully keep to their routines of being available for her at regularly scheduled times.

Our family so appreciates their labor of love as they lift and encourage us all in their presence and godly service.

Thank you, precious volunteers, for your service to my sister!  May you be greatly blessed for blessing Elaine and Don!

“This, Too, Shall Pass”

Connie and I attended the 90th birthday celebration of her out-of-town aunt this past weekend. Being such a special occasion, relatives from many locales, in and out of the country, gathered to celebrate. During the special weekend, I asked the special honoree to share one point of wisdom with me. I knew this retired missionary nurse, being the mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother of multi-generations had much knowledge.

Hardly blinking an eye before answering my wisdom question, she replied:  “This, too, shall pass.”  For someone who had faithfully served alongside her husband on the mission field; birthed and raised children in a challenging, third world location; lost a young son to death; later survived widowhood and endured ongoing physical challenges, her words rang true.  She hopefully attested that present hardships do not last forever. Her quick response faithfully proclaimed her long lived Christian faith.

I am reminded that despite our current afflictions believers in Christ are assured that this present time of difficulties will surely pass; and our life through Him promises to brighten even the darkest path.

Thank you, Aunt Marje, for that reminder!