As Close as a Whisper

I recently had surgery of a major degree and was pretty much home bound while healing. The word “home bound” to a person like me seems like a jail sentence; I love to be out and about and doing life. But I found that it was the best time of my life! Not because of catching up on all of my reading or TV, but having time with my Lord is what made it such a beautiful experience. He is as close as a whisper! And His Word never changes or never gets old.

I received a card with these words:

• A physician will ask you how you feel and what your symptoms are. The Great Physician knows how you feel and understands what you are going through. 
• A physician will have you come to the office. The Great Physician will stay with you and never leave your side. 
• A physician will treat you with the best medicine available. The Great Physician will treat you with the riches of His grace. 
• A physician will send you a bill for services rendered. The Great Physician does His work without charge. 
• A physician tries his very best to help you. The Great Physician assures you that your life couldn’t be in better hands! 

I am glad for doctors and medicine, but the One that gave them the knowledge to treat me is the One that I look to and whisper to in the middle of the night or day. He is my constant companion. A little down time is wonderful if you have Jesus by your side.

Hebrews 13:5b, 6 tells us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”

Patricia Harvey

Beauty from Pain

It’s funny how life can be daisies and sunshine and then, in the matter of a few hours, something happens that breaks your heart and steals your joy.

A few years ago I memorized chapters out of the book of 2 Corinthians, and lately this verse has just been on replay in my mind: “We are pressed on every side, but not crushed.” (2 Cor. 4:8) Sometimes I feel crushed. My life is not perfect, and sometimes I feel so lonely and overwhelmed that I want to give up, stay in bed, and just forget the world outside.

We are told that God sees each tear that falls from our tired, swollen eyes, and, yet, sometimes He feels so far away when we’re hurting. We must separate our emotions from reality, though, and remember that regardless of how we feel, God promises that when our dreams go up in smoke, He’ll trade in beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (that comes straight from Isaiah 61).

I love these lyrics from Superchick. The song is called Beauty from Pain.

I’ll wonder why God lets me walk through this place
And though I can’t understand why this happened
I know that I will when I look back someday
And see how You’ve brought beauty from ashes
And made me as gold purified through these flames

So, dear heart, when you don’t feel like getting out of bed in the morning, and you’ve lost sight of your precious dreams, have faith! Joy comes in the morning, and God is faithful and able to restore and mend your broken heart. You will be stronger and radiate more beauty and love than before ... just give Him time to work it out.

Andrea Perry