Bearing Fruit in Old Age

I was meditating on a verse this week. "I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  (Psalm 139:14)  I started thinking of my "beginnings."  My mother had me at a time when women her age no longer had babies.  In fact, her doctor told her she could no longer have children.  But she prayed - for one more child that she could dedicate to become a missionary.  She had a heart for missions.  She couldn't go, but she prayed for a child that would go.

Well, against all odds, she had me.  And she prayed over me every day of my growing up years that I would be a missionary.  During these same years, Floyd's parents prayed daily for the woman that would some day be his wife.  That's a lot of prayers invested in me.....one who is "fearfully and wonderfully made."  I have no doubt that God's hand has been upon me from my conception - and that He led me to the right partner in life.  From our first meeting at a YWAM outreach, to getting to know each other writing letters, and to our wedding day - we sensed God's hand upon us.  We had a wonderful life in ministry together - not always smooth and easy, but rich and rewarding.

I'm older now.  I'm a widow.  I'm battling cancer.  I sometimes wonder what's ahead.....but God reminded me as I meditated on that verse - that I'm still "fearfully and wonderfully made."  That hasn't changed.  And He led me to another verse - "They shall still bear fruit in old age." (Psalm 92:14) 

God's plan for our lives doesn't change as the years go by.  Our situations may change.  Our bodies certainly change.  But He hasn't changed!  He still has a plan for us because we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."  He has "fruit" for us in every season of life.  We may not always see it, but we can stand on the promise in His word.

I read of a lady who was housebound and in a wheelchair.  She put an ad in the newspaper and told people they could call her if they wanted to talk.  They could share their problems and help each other.  She immediately started getting calls - 30 or more a week.  Even in her difficult situation, God gave her a way to have "fruit."

He who made us has fruit for us in every season of life!

I've had a very full week with a lot of different things to deal with.  My energy is lagging, but it's been sufficient to get me through the week.  I'm so grateful for that.  The Lord spoke to me through a devotional I was reading.  "Be strong...and work; for I am with you."  (Haggai 2:4)  All I can do is be strong with what energy I have, get busy with the work, and He will be with me.  That encourages me so much - and I'm thankful that it's been true! 

So, as I come to the end of this week, I am thankful, thankful, thankful!  God has been so good to me - in so many ways - on so many levels.  He is awesome in His faithfulness!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."  Ephesians 1:3

"Give thanks in all circumstances."  1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name."  Psalm 100:4

I'm praising His name for His goodness! 

Burdens into Blessings

A very happy new year to you!  I pray you will be abundantly blessed in 2023.  May the sorrows of the past year be turned into joy in this new year.

As I start the new year, the verse below has come to my attention.  I'm praying it - and standing on the promise it proclaims.

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."  Isaiah 58:11

Thanking the Lord in advance that He will "strengthen my frame."  He has faithfully done that these past years.

I don't make new year's resolutions, but I do try to be sensitive to the Lord's voice if He is wanting to say something to me for the year ahead.  I've sensed a theme in my daily quiet times.  I read this quote from Sarah Young:  "A thankful attitude opens windows of heaven through which spiritual blessings fall freely."  I love the visual imagery of that - windows flying open as we lift up praise and thankfulness......and blessings flowing out like a river......cascading down upon us.

Being encouraged to be thankful is by no means a new thought to me.  It was a "tool" God put into my hands these last 8 years while battling cancer and caring for Floyd in his illness.  Time and time again the Lord spoke to me that worship and thankfulness would be a lifeline of strength and power to get me through all the hard things.  I clung to that lifeline, and purposed in my heart every single day to be thankful - for even the smallest details in my life.  The more thankful I was, the more joy and strength I had.  It was a wonderful gift! 

I'm feeling challenged to make a fresh commitment to thankfulness.  Many of the things I'm facing are new and different, but the same principle applies.  One thing that we are having is load shedding - where the electricity goes off in 2 1/2 hour blocks anywhere from 1 to 4 times a day.  It's frustrating, and it's hard to plan your day as the load shedding times change frequently.  I confess that my normal response is irritation.  I feel I'm to look for things to be thankful for rather than being irritated.  I'm going to work on that!

Learning to be thankful in whatever comes our way changes everything!  I remember times of standing by Floyd's bed with tears flowing while I thanked the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness.  Comfort came as I thanked and worshipped the Lord.

There were times during my chemo treatments that I was so weak and my mouth so full of sores that I couldn't even speak out my thankfulness - so I thought it.  I remember feeling the Lord so close, and His encouragement was so tangible.  I felt fresh strength to keep going in the battle.

I'm convinced, and my experiences of recent years have taught me that there is always, always ALWAYS something to be thankful for.  We just need to still our hearts and listen to the Spirit reminding us!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name."  Psalm 100:4

"In everything give thanks."  1 Thessalonians 5:18 

"Let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and be thankful."  Colossians 3:15

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!"  1 Chronicles 16:34

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24 

"His praise shall continually be in my mouth."  Psalm 34:1

There is an abundance of verses about being thankful.  Clearly it was what was on God's heart for us!  Praising God turns our trials and burdens into blessings.  Only God could have organized that!

P.S.  As I was reflecting on having a heart of thankfulness, I received the following from Slavic Ministries quoting a woman named Maia in Ukraine:

"Kyiv is a city that may have no electricity but always has pistachio latte because of power generators busily buzzing in front of coffee shops.

Kyiv is a city that may have no electricity and water supply for days, but its residents are clean and well-groomed because they leave bedroom lights on at night to wake up and take a shower as soon as the power is back.

Kyiv is a city that may have no electricity, water, or heat for a few days, but the girls would always have their nails done. Because they want to feel beautiful and because the manicurists have portable battery-powered lamps.

Kyiv is a city that may have no electricity, no water, no heat, or no cell phone service, but it always has fresh bread. And there's plenty of food at the store. And you can pay with your card. And there are garbage trucks picking up garbage. There is snowplowing machinery working during a snowfall. Even though the traffic lights might not work, there seem to be fewer traffic accidents than usual.

One day, the history books will tell about a nation that not only had its warriors defeat the barbarians but also had its civilians manage to remain civilized in the artificial barbaric conditions brought upon them. They managed to maintain their usual civilized lifestyle as much as possible. I don't know how. It's a miracle."

I can't help but think that there are many in Kyiv who have learned to be thankful in difficulty, very great difficulty.

His Unfailing Promises

I hope you had a lovely Christmas Day.  This year was more tender for me than last year.  I'm not sure why.  So many memories went floating through my mind, and all of them reminded me of Floyd.  I'm grateful for all the Christmases we had together.

My personal theme this year was Emmanuel - God with us.  I am so, so thankful for the truth of that.  While I missed Floyd, I knew God was right by my side continually.  His sweet presence carried me through.  Thank you, Lord!  In tender moments, I rest in the sweet promises from the Word.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' " Psalm 91:1,2

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38,39

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."  Isaiah 43:1-3 

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6 

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

When I'm concerned about my health; when I miss Floyd; when I wish I could be with family; when I feel weak; whenever I face any difficulty - I stand on the wonderful, strong promises of God.  They are unfailing!!!  They bring comfort and strength.  God knew what we would need and provided the words of comfort that strengthen us.  How awesome and faithful He is!

It's hard to believe that a brand new year is upon us.  2022 has flown by!  There have been joys and sorrows, good days and hard days, answers to prayers and prayers still being lifted up, provision and need, peace and anxious moments - it's definitely been a year of mixtures. 

And now we're starting all over again with a blank slate.  I wonder what this new year will hold.  There's never a dull moment in walking with the Lord!  I'm praying for miracles, for suddenlys, and for God to move in wonderful ways.

I've been watching the new episodes of The Chosen season 3.  There's a scene in the 2nd episode that has touched me deeply.  Jesus has just told the disciples that He is sending them out 2x2 to minister in His name, healing the sick, and casting out demons.

Little James comes to Jesus to clarify this - wondering how he can heal people when he himself has not been healed of his lameness.  Jesus asks if he wants to be healed, and he says yes, of course.  Jesus tells him it's possible to heal him, but He hasn't because He trusts him.  He wants him to praise God in spite of his lameness.  Jesus explains that Little James has true strength because of his weakness.

As you might imagine, Little James struggles with the concept of being patient with his lameness, his suffering.  Jesus tells him that he will spend all of eternity with no suffering.  He quotes from Job - "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

I've watched this scene a number of times because I relate to Little James.  I know it's "possible" for Jesus to heal - both me and many others.  But I'm still living with cancer.  I want to fulfill His purposes in my life in spite of the cancer!  I know His strength is made powerful in my weakness.  I trust God to help me live that out.

In the new year ahead, I'm asking God to give me fresh grace for my journey.  I know His mercies are new every morning.  I know the joy of the Lord is my strength for whatever I face.  I look to Him and trust Him to help me day by day.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:26

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."  Psalm 31:24

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."  Nehemiah 8:10 

"God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect."  2 Samuel 22:33

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness."  Romans 8:26

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

The Word is full of promises of God helping us in our weakness, sickness, and time of need.  I stand upon those promises in the new year ahead.  

Tante Corrie ten Boom said - "You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have."  I'm so grateful we have Christ in the year ahead!