Kind Words Are Good Medicine

Floyd continues in the up and down cycle of good and not-so-good days.  I'm sure this is hard for him both physically and emotionally.  

I've thought about how we often wait until a person passes away to express our love and appreciation of them.  It's sad - because the person doesn't get to hear our words of gratitude.  It's certainly helpful to the family and gives them strength, but it's a shame the individual doesn't get to hear the encouragement.

Because of our long unexpected journey, our situation has been different.  Many of the dear ones whose lives we have touched and connected with over our 52 years of married life have sent messages of warmth, love, and appreciation.  I have shared them with Floyd.   It has been a sweet affirmation to both of us that the small seeds we have planted over the years have produced life and fruit.  I am so grateful to each person who has shared with us.  It has been a lovely encouragement. 

Some sweet friends who visited this past weekend put so much thought and effort into things they brought with them to express their love and appreciation.  I was so blessed - and Floyd was too.  He listened attentively to everything they shared.  Proverbs 15:4 (CEV) tells us that "kind words are good medicine."  We received some good medicine last weekend!  

"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."  Proverbs 16:24

"A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook."  Proverbs 18:4

"Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach."  Proverbs 18:20

The results from my tests last week have come back and are cautiously optimistic.  They're not as good as I would have liked, but it looks like the treatment I'm on is moving things in the right direction!  I will continue with the treatment, and be tested again in 4 months.  

The treatment has side effects.....one of which is that my sleep is being impacted.  So we continue to pray for my healing and my strength.  

In the past weeks I’ve written about choosing not to fear - and pursuing peace.  As I've continued to reflect on this I've come to the understanding that peace and joy are gifts from the Father's heart that we must continually receive.  Circumstances come our way that rob us of both.  It can almost feel like being "mugged" of something precious.  Our treasure, our sense of peace and security......our well of joy, is stolen from us by events that we walk through.  We can easily be left feeling barren and empty.

In recent days I've had a number of things come my way that have impacted me in this way.  The result has been that I've been left feeling "exposed," and rather barren.  Thankfully that hasn't lasted long!  I've known I needed to go immediately to the Lord and ask Him to restore my peace and my joy.  He has faithfully, wonderfully done that each time.  In my need, He has been more than sufficient.

But it has been important to recognize my need, and ask Him for a fresh release of His deep peace and His abundant joy.  I can't just assume that what has been robbed will be restored.  I need to come before the Lord with open hands and open heart asking for Him to freely give those gifts to me again.  He's always waiting to fill my heart and mind afresh.

"Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."  Hebrews 4:16

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace."  Psalm 29:11 

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace."  Isaiah 55:12 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."  Psalm 94:19

I think sometimes I try to "protect" my heart from being impacted in such a way that my peace and my joy are robbed.  It's been so encouraging to see that when that happens - it's okay.  God is lovingly waiting to restore what the enemy has robbed.  He freely, graciously does that.

Probably like many of you, I've been reading the news reports about the drama in the royal family in England.  I'm so grateful that the details of our family life aren't splattered over the news!  What a stressful way to live.  It's been intriguing to watch the events unfold - and also thought provoking.

As I was reading yet another news update, a lightening bolt thought hit my heart.  In my heavenly royal family, I am never either in or out!  I am always IN.  I don't have to do things or perform - I am loved and accepted as I am.  I'm not judged by my works.  I'm not better or worse according to what I can or can't do.  What a wonderful assurance.

As the months go by, I often berate myself because I can't "do it all."  But God never ever puts that condemnation on me.  Just the opposite in fact.  He continually ministers His grace and encouragement to my heart - not on works, but on His love and acceptance of me as His daughter.  My royal status remains intact and secure.

I was reminded by a friend that "we see bones, but God sees an army."  Ezekiel 37:1-14.  Floyd wrote a book on this.  We see our need, our weakness, our failure, our dry bones......but God breathes life into our weakness and brings success because of who HE is.  It's not dependent on us.

I find such comfort in this - especially on my weak and weary days.  He is strong when I'm weak.  He is the "way-maker."  He is always at work in and through us.  And He loves and accepts me just as I am.

Thank you Lord!!  I will serve Him with all my might on my strong days, and I will serve Him to the best of my ability on my weak days.  He receives it all as my worship to Him.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

"For God does not show favouritism."  Romans 2:11

"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."  1 Peter 2:9

"You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God."  Isaiah 62:3

God loves us, accepts us - not on our performance, not as something we've earned, not because we are deserving.......but because He chooses us as His own royal family.  I'm so grateful to be His daughter.