April 24, 2018

A Little Girl and a Town

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” – Psalm 91:14-15

Yesterday our small town turned out in light blue. Students and teachers, store clerks and office workers. It was all about a seven-year-old girl and her fight to stay alive.

This sweet girl had a tumor removed, a “lesion”, from her brain. How can a child, a second-grade beauty queen, be okay one minute and then rushed to Children’s Hospital in another? What are parents to do when faced with the very real possibility of burying their child? How do they conquer their fear and remain strong for their little girl?

There are moments when you realize how fragile life is. There are times when you realize that you really aren’t in control. There are tears when you realize all those heartbreaking verses in the Bible were intended to bring you comfort. Hope, that fragile thing that rests on faith, comes on the bended knees of desperation.

A community rallied to lift up one of its own. The light blue symbolized those who prayed that God would heal, that God would gift comfort and strength, for this uncertain journey. Because tomorrow really isn’t promised no matter how determined we might be.

Many people hugged their babies a little closer these last few days. Grandparents counted their blessings and savored moments with their grandchildren. This little girl was a stark reminder that we never know what the day will bring. Devastation is just a moment away.

We see the faith in God, the trust that He will turn it all to good even as He heals. One photo stuck out in my mind: that of two little girls deep in prayer. Best friends since they met at six-weeks-old. One determined child praying for another, teaching us that in our most desperate moments we cry out to the God who provides miracles and healing and comfort and strength.

The surgery was a success. The doctors think they’ve removed it all. It could take six days to get the test results back. But for now all is well. She is alive and fighting back. A community breathed a sigh of relief. God is good.

God is always good. Even if the surgery outcome had been bad, God is still good. Even if God one day chooses to heal this little girl by taking her home, He is still good. We miss that sometimes as we shout out our halleluiahs. We forget about the times God said no.

My thoughts go to a young man who only lived to be 20. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly after high school graduation. The fight was long and hard. He almost made it. Almost. His absence created a hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Faith is a promise of seeing him again but it doesn’t take away the heartbreak of burying a child who never really had a chance to be a man.

We wrap our hearts around this little girl and her family. We pray without ceasing. We are grateful for every small step toward recovery. We rest in His grace and mercy. We are held by His strength, on the prayers of all those who have united as one.

Prayer is a powerful thing. It’s really too bad that it takes something so awful to bring us to our knees before the throne of God, a place we should have been all along.

Monday, June 20, 2011

God Is A Safe Place

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God; and I am trusting him. -- Psalm 91:1-2

Some wounds never really heal. It doesn’t matter how long ago it was. It doesn’t matter how many times you tell yourself you’ve forgiven those who harmed you. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve shoved your emotions in that neat little box and put on your happy face. Deep wounds leave scars. And scars don’t ever really go away.

Ever lost someone you loved, suddenly? Bet you remember where you were when you got the call. I’m sure you even remember the agonizing pain that ripped you apart in that instance when your world changed forever. Time eases the pain but you never forget. Not ever.

Have you ever had a family member tell you they hate you? Words can wound in ways that nothing else can. And they can never ever be taken back. Especially when the person flinging them isn’t sorry and doesn’t change or even try to make amends. You forgive. The Bible says to forgive. You make excuses and tell yourself it doesn’t matter. But you never forget and nothing is ever the same.

We can all pretend that life is perfect and that we’re handling whatever traumas we’ve collected in our hearts. But every now and then, they rise up like an ugly dream that won’t go away. They knock you down again. It’s hard to believe you’re facing all that hurt yet again. You need a safe place to heal and regain your strength.

God is my safe place. He is where I run when the pain seems too much, when the nightmares haunt my mind, when the depth of my aloneness threatens my very existence. I couldn’t begin to face a day without knowing He is right there beside me. He promised long ago to never leave me or forsake me and God always keeps His promises.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Run To God

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

-- Psalm 91:1-2

Some things in life are a given. One is that when something goes wrong -- or missing -- it's my fault. I could have absolutely nothing to do with whatever it is. I get blamed for misplacing something I never knew existed, for example. Most of the time I laugh it off. Sometimes it gets to me and I don't know whether to be angry or hurt. I guess I'm a little of both. Ever been there before?

I do understand that it's easier to blame someone else than it is to blame yourself. We've all been on the receiving end of blame. Your husband has a bad day at work, comes home and yells at you. Well, he can't yell at work and you're convenient. Aren't you?

Sometimes we get it at work. Our boss gets pressured over profits and that filters down to you and the other employees. It makes for a tension-filled workplace that sure isn't going to generate extra profits. Maybe a headache or two but not profits.

One certainty in life is that other people will let us down. They will blame us for things we didn't do, yell at us because we're there and take advantage of us because they believe they can. I'm just so grateful that I have a place to go to get away from it all.

I run to the shelter of my Father's arms. I find rest in His shadow, surrounded by His love and peace. I trust Him to protect me from all the evil forces that seek to destroy me. That same shelter is available for anyone who seeks it. When things get bad and you feel the world crushing down on you, cry out to God and run into His waiting arms. You'll find warmth and safety and a love beyond anything you've ever know.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Find Strength, Peace in Him

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

-- Psalm 91:1

What a comforting passage! A man in Sunday school class mentioned Psalm 91 as being a favorite of his. Of course, I had to read it again right away. This was the perfect passage for me today.

Sometimes when I believe life is going along just fine, things suddenly change and I feel like I'm swimming against a tide that is threatening to take me under. The last week has been like that. I've been overwhelmed with responsibilities, duties, work, and the drama of different personalities revolving around me.

I know I'm not alone. Sometimes it would feel good if the world would just go away for a day or two. It would allow me to recharge myself. Then I know I could start again with a smile and loads of patience. Right now all that seems impossible. And, frankly, it probably is. I'm not likely to get any down time in the foreseeable future.

But this Bible passage reminds me that I can find rest in the shelter of God's arms. I can lay my weary head on Him and find the peace I so desperately need. He understands my frustrations and uses them to draw me closer to Him. I can draw strength from Him.

I'll probably never understand how people who don't know Jesus make it through the tough times. I'm not just talking about the real disasters, like major illnesses, job losses, the death of a loved one. I'm talking about the day-to-day stuff that can just zap everything we've got. I can't imagine trying to face it all without God leading the way, holding me tight, strengthening my every step. How awful it must be to take that journey alone.

I'm so grateful that no matter what is going on in my life, I can count on God to be there with me. I am His child. He is with me always.