Wednesday 7 December 2011

Things My Papa Told Me

As I have struggled with pain and discouragement in these weeks following my surgery, I have wept many tears of frustration, guilt (should I have had the surgery?) and just plain lack of sleep.  Getting this knee to bend to the degree it needs to seems absolutely impossible.  How can I push through the pain?

My feeble cries for mercy . . . "Help me, Papa". . . seem to go unheard most of the time.  
Yet,  I know He sees, He hears, He cares.

And then there comes a whisper . . . I have loved you with an everlasting love . . .
a phrase in a sermon . . . He is speaking to me . . . and that changes everything.  As one of my favourite chorus's says, "to hear what He's saying brings life to my bones".  His words bring hope, create vision and so, I press onward.



The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:
"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel!
You shall again be adorned with your tambourines,
And you shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.
You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria;
The planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food.
For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim,
Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God."
Jeremiah 31:3-6 (NKJV)





It is VISION that gives 
PURPOSE to PAIN.
                                            ~ Kris Valloton



"So keep a firm grip on your faith.  The suffering won't last forever.  It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ . . . eternal and glorious plans they are! . . . will have you put together and on your feet for good.  He gets the last word, yes, He does.
1 Peter 5:9-11 (The Message)


4 comments:

  1. Dear Andrea,

    I am so sorry to hear of all the pain and discouragement. I hope that there is a little bit of progress each day and that soon this hard time will be behind you.

    I love those verses from Jeremiah. They are some of my favorites. Oh to fully grasp the everlasting love of God.

    Praying for you today, that God's love will surround you and invade your heart and mind and KNEE!

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  2. Andrea, it is like these words were written just for you. Praying with you ... His grace be upon you. Blessings dear friend.
    Your photos and His Words are magnificent!

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  3. Dear Andrea Dawn,

    I wrote to a friend who had knee surgery and asked her to give me some tips for you. My heart breaks that you are having such a rough time. Pain is so all-consuming. It blinds us and wears us out so we think we just can't make it. Indeed, we think we are not even worthy of making it. I have been there.

    I will be back with some practical tips, I hope. Till then, know I am praying. Your picture is on my prayer dresser top and on the desktop of my computer. I meet you several times throughout every day and I pray.

    He cares,
    Dawn

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  4. Thank you Lorrie, Susan, and Dawn for your ongoing prayers . . . so highly valued.

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Thanks for stopping by . . . appreciate your comments.