grapes

My life has fruit-bearing purpose, even in suffering

As my brain surgery continues to heal, I’ve had moments when I’ve asked God, “Why am I still here? How can I love and serve You if my body can’t ‘do’ what it used to? How can I be fruit-bearing if I’m differently-abled?” I’ve felt worth…”less,” wondering about my purpose, Read more

photography of pool near fence

Do you want to be healed?

When Jesus saw him lying by the pool, He asked: Do you want to be healed or “made whole?”  The man at the pool had suffered from chronic illness and disability… for 38 years…  desperately seeking to feel better… likely fighting daily with self-pity and hopeless angst. In such compassion, Read more

woman doing hand heart sign

“Love songs” in suffering: My Jesus, I love Thee 

My memories of last fall’s months are fading. Slipping in and out of consciousness, overcome by constant intractable pain and extra bouts of electric shocks, dealing with weakening side effects of treatment…well, it’s God’s mercy that I’m forgetting much of it now. Praise to our loving, powerfully healing, compassionate God! Read more

person hand reaching body of water

Take courage, my soul, releasing anxiety to the Lord Jesus

I’m in awe of the powerfully healing work of our loving Lord. He’s compassionately given us many ways to cope with anxiety’s raging symptoms. For they can be particularly strong during (and after) the storms of this fallen world, with its blustering torrents of crisis and changes in our lives. Read more

photography of barrel wave

Peace in the storms of anxiety

My chronic illnesses and brainstem herniation boiled into a raging storm seven months ago. Each day held so many moments of scary health crisis that I continually asked God to keep me physically safe during the hours my husband had to work. After my beautifully care-giving husband helped me get Read more

close up of hands

Lord, I know. Rest me.

Precious Lord, Take my hand. I come to You weary. Help me to sing today. I need no other argument,  I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died,  and that he died for me.  (“MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE,” EDMUNDS, L. H., 1891)  Who shall bring any charge against God’s Read more

white goat kid on grass

Knowing Jesus suffered for me…and suffers with me

When bouts of electric shocks fired into my body, with violently convulsing pain, I couldn’t think but only endure. When they subsided, I always melted with gratitude to our Savior, who suffered with me.  Can you imagine His raw and exposed nerves struck by scourges? Can you imagine the physical Read more

aerial view of a city

Singing the gospel when I’m afraid 

Father, The deceiver tempts us to fear that You’re punishing us when we suffer. When the hits keep coming, and we read the words of the Old Covenant, we’re easily afraid it’s our fault. We must not be doing enough to “earn” Your favor. Our accuser tempts us to think Read more

person holding green grains

Trusting Jesus With My Future

As one who’s begged God for healing over many years of progressively worsening illness, Job feels like a chronic illness friend to me. Check out chapters 2, 7, 16, 19, 29, and 30 for gruesome details. Stories like Job’s remind me that it’s God’s healing mercy when we experience moments Read more

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