Healing Living…
Getting sick is never fun. I’m one of the fortunate ones who rarely gets ill. But this year has been a little different.
In February – the flu. In March I hurt my back. This past month I came down with some unknown bug.
There has been healing during each of these events. But the kind of healing that has really made a difference hasn’t been physical.
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14 NIV)
First, I’m a do-it-myselfer. I found out I actually can’t sometimes. Next I’m a helper-outer but not one to be helped. I found out I need help sometimes. Life lessons have been learned from concerned phone calls, hot soup dropped off, and timely nursing advice right when I needed it. Again the lessons were more for heart healing than my body healing.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV) Especially when the cheer is in your own heart, but also when it’s delivered by the cheerful heart of a concerned friend.
Receiving and not pushing back is a gift to God. Why? Because the gifts we get, whether they are a sympathetic ear or a floor mopped, are given from loving hearts serving God in the way they were gifted. And they are God’s way of ministering to us through those who love Him. When I’ve deceived myself and replied “Oh no, I’m fine, don’t need a thing”, I’ve denied someone else the opportunity to use their God given gift. And I’ve missed out on a blessing of receiving Him through one who loves Him.
The key to it all is the very last part of the verse above from Jeremiah ‘for You are the One I praise.’ We don’t inhabit perfect bodies and age and elements take their toll. In the midst of these illnesses or mishaps we may not feel much like praising. There’s an old song that goes like this: Love Him in the morning when you see the sun arising; Love Him in the evening ’cause He took you through the day. And in the in-between time when you feel the pressure coming, Remember that He loves you and He promises to stay. (by John Fischer) Praise & Glory to the One who stays with us!
parisrenae 
So sorry you have been under the weather again. I hope you are much better now. Miss seeing you at church, I know you’re there but we just miss each other! Praying for a great week ahead for you.
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Thanks Becky, miss seeing you too! Thanks for prayers…
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My thoughts and prayers are with you Paris, I remember the song by John Fischer – it brings back memories and a good reminder to be thankful in all things.
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Nancy, thank you so much. It is a sweet song isn’t it… Blessings as we go through the ups and downs, knowing He is always with us.
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