Digging Deep

I love it when I can share some good news.   I've recently done my cancer checkup, and I have some very good news.  My tumor has shrunk!  I'm not currently undergoing any medical treatment, so it truly is an answer to prayer!  My oncologist was shocked, and I was very, very happily surprised.  Thank you Jesus!!  I'm so grateful for all those that have been praying for me!

I've had my fair share of challenges recently.  I've had to dig deep to find God's grace and strength to persevere.  I read a verse in The Message that stuck with me.  "We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives.  It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy."  Colossians 1:11

I think I was "gritting my teeth" so to speak on some days.  I was coming under the weight of all the challenges.  When I read that verse, it gave me fresh courage to press into the "glory-strength" that God gives.  The harder and bigger the challenges, the more I've had to dig.

During the years that Floyd was sick and I was battling cancer, I often had to dig deep to find God's grace and strength to make it through.  But all that God poured out during that time to help me wasn't permanent.  He gives grace day by day. - not once and done.  I couldn't have made it through those years without God's help.  But now I have to press in again for the current challenges.  God's grace is still there - I just need to dig deep again.  As I do that, His grace and strength is freely available and limitless.  He gives all that I need.

"How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."  Psalm 36:7

"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."  2 Chronicles 16:9

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."  Psalm 28:7

Our wonderful Father is always freely available to meet our needs.  How good and faithful He is!