Monday 5 December 2011

Grace Notes - Counting the Gifts 537-562

On this day of linking with Ann Voskamp's Multitudes on Mondays, I begin with this hymn from long ago that speaks my heart so perfectly today.

O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.


O light  that  followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.


O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.


O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.


. . . and the counting continues . . .

537.  Peace that passes understanding
538.  Prayers and phone calls to encourage me
539.  I am in Your hands
540.  A final full body shower
 541.  Call from the grandgirlies on the way to the hospital
542.  Their sweet voices reading me scripture
543.  All my fears unfounded
544.  Warm air "bear hug" during surgery
545.  Attended by surgical nurse named "Joy"
546.  Finally something to eat
547.  Shannon and Alison come visiting . . . with Toffee Nut Latte from Starbucks
548.  Sister Martha drops in with flowers and a lovely card
549.  The wonderful nurses of 2 North . . . Susan, Renee, Shannon, Grace and Katie
550.  Doing what seems impossible
551.  Going home to my own bed
552.  My daughter's fridge that spits out crushed ice . . . the perfect ice pack
553.  A great night's sleep
554.  Unfailing kindness
555.  Grace for the hard days
556.  The kitten who snagged my sock right off my foot. (They are called Pillow Paws, so maybe she thought she should have them.)
557.  Peppermint oil to soothe a headache
558.  Sun streaming glorious through lacy curtains
559.  This post that refers to that post that reminds me all over again how graciously You walked my family through this heart-wrenching time.
560.  Granddaughter asking "Grandma, will you be able to run again?"
561.  A comfortable position
562.  My dear cyber-friend celebrating  a birthday milestone . . . Happy 60th Birthday, Dawn!


3 comments:

  1. Dear Andrea Dawn,

    I love your list. I spent time with it long and quiet here in the yet-dark moments before going down to breakfast and devotions. I clicked on your link back to Ann's and the perpetual calendar. I really didn't understand it yesterday, but today at your recommendation, I looked at it again and I will print one out. It is truly a lovely gift. Why wasn't it striking me yesterday? I don't know.

    I am sad that you are suffering so physically. Knee replacements are traditionally really painful during rehabilitation so you are not unusual. I know that doesn't make the pain any easier to take, but knowing you are normal may give you peace.

    My selfish favorite on you list is #562. That we are friends is one of the best gifts I received this Year of Now and that I am talking to you right NOW is over the top. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:24. He is Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. His grace is sufficient for me. 2 Cor. 12:9

    Start your day singing,
    Dawn

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  2. "I lay in dust, life's glory dead.And from the ground there blossoms red. Life that endless be."
    This is beautiful Andrea Dawn.
    The picture perfectly paired with the words.
    Death. Blood. Endless life.
    You gave me "God bumps".
    Thank you sweet friend.

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  3. I feel how you have put flesh and sinew to these words of a very wonderful hymn... I will always sing it with you in mind I am sure, and prayers are lifted dear friend. Your grace list flows bountifully regardless of the pain... such beauty.
    the words ...
    O Joy that seekest me through pain,
    I cannot close my heart to Thee;
    I trace the rainbow through the rain,
    And feel the promise is not vain,
    That morn shall tearless be.

    and photo that goes with it took my breath away!

    I wait with you Andrea for days of ease in walking again.
    Through your pain, you have brought us such beauty! May God wrap you in a big Abba hug today.

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