Thanks for your Prayers and Encouragement
Hello friends,
We have been encouraged much by your e-mails and cards. I’ve never been so thankful for others’ obedience in following the commandment “Bear ye one another’s burdens!”
Let me tell you a little something about myself: I could start a blog post with another wonderful greeting and fool any stranger into thinking everyday life is just sunshine upon sunshine! In doing this, I effect the people around me. I let the wondering keep wondering, the worrying keep worrying, and the fearful keep fearing. Thankfully our Lord was not like that. Jesus gave men the permission to tell the world that he cried at Lazarus' death, that He asked God to remove the trial of the cross, and that He was indeed tempted by Satan. Jesus was no stranger to sorrow, grief, and tears. That has been an encouragement to me. After all, Isaiah named him: “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Is 53:3)
In miscarrying, I’m learning (notice present tense verb!) the reality of sorrow and grief at the loss of a child even if you can’t count ten fingers and ten toes. I’m learning what a self sufficient, independent person I am. Miscarrying brings one to a totally helpless position in life. This has softened me in many areas, made me love Him more, and long for heaven. We’ve named our little one Cana, it reminds me of the promised land, and of Jesus’ first miracle. Perhaps further down the road, I can share more.
Though my husband’s illness “only” lasted about 11 days (correction: It is still continuing, but thankfully he is not bed-ridden) it is teaching me more things than you have time to read about!! First, I’m realizing how impatient I can be! How precious Psalm 27:14 has been: “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” This verse has what I call the “parenting voice.” I don’t know about you, but if I think my children didn’t hear me, or if they just didn’t listen, I say “I -JUST- SAID…..” Notice David repeated himself at the end of the short verse by saying “wait, I say!” Second, my impatience can be produced by fear. With this virus and the seemingly 10 gazillion symptoms, I will tell people I just don’t know what rabbit to chase! What if I’m on the wrong trail, researching the wrong problem! I am getting a crash course on blood sugar, sodium, dehydration, flu, insoluble/soluble fiber, and a few others I won’t mention. (I’ll be signing my name: Katie Shore M.D) In these situations we must remind ourselves that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.(II Tim 1:7) Also, I continually ask the Lord to help me bring every thought into captivity. (II Cor 10:5). May we learn these lessons with the Lord’s help!
I’m already over 500 words, and it would take another 1000 to share how much we are learning about our wonderful Shepherd, His strength and ability to fight for us, and the power of His Word. I’ve often prayed: “neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.” II Chron 20:12
Resting in the Shepherd’s green pastures (and in order to have green pastures-- you must have some rain),
Katie M.D (smile)