Monthly Archives: May 2019

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Blessed Endurance

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Further encouragement

We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. James 5:11

Yesterday was a beautiful day so I went for a run.  While I managed to endure to the end, it wasn’t easy for several reasons. In addition to my normal health concerns, a couple of weeks ago, I had a respiratory infection that has left me with a nagging cough.   I have asthma and forgot to use my inhaler before the run.  I also have a knee that isn’t always the most cooperative as well as a wart being treated on one foot that can be uncomfortable.  I could go on, but you get the idea…there were obstacles that had to be endured to finish running the course.  Today it turned cold and rainy causing my body to ache significantly.  Further, it was one of those days when fatigue and lethargy set in.  Today’s form of endurance had a different nature, but was endurance nonetheless.  In fact, every day seems to require a fair amount of patient endurance.  I must accept undesired changes in my lifestyle and abilities as my body often seems to be my worst enemy.  It can be rather trying at times.  However, each day I do my best to: stand, run the race, endure with grace, and to live well.  Some days that goes fairly well while others see limited, if any, success.  I struggle daily to endure because of God’s involvement in my life.  From my perspective, here are three of the many encouragements to endure.

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God is Faithful

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The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

As we study scripture, we learn about God. It is one thing to intellectually understand God’s faithfulness, His promises, His character, the sacrifice and intercession of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, etc.; however, it is something altogether different to experience them.  Knowing that Christ died for our sins does not save us…it is accepting His atoning work on our behalf that provides salvation.  Similarly, knowing about God intellectually does not develop a relationship with Him.  Rather, it is through reliance on Him throughout our life experiences, recognizing His work in our lives, and seeking to live for Him alone that we develop a relationship.  It is experiencing God that takes us from an intellectual understanding to a relationship that allows us to mature in faith.  Further, when we acknowledge God at work in our own lives, we provide edification and encouragement to others. To experience God and not share that fact with fellow believers would be remiss.  Consequently this week’s post is about testifying to God’s faithfulness as an experience.

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Help – The Gift of Service

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Picture of Christ Helping Peter's Family

When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.  Matthew 8:14-15

This week celebrates the 93rd anniversary of my mother’s birth; the 98th anniversary of my father’s birth; and the the 73rd anniversary of their marriage.  Yes, they packed it all neatly into one week…with Mother’s Day thrown in for good measure regularly.  As I take time to remember them and what they meant to me, I am grateful for them and thankful that they pointed me to Christ from the time I was born.  Further, I am grateful for what they taught me through example.  A significant gift that they each exhibited regularly was their servant’s heart which caused them to be helpful and compassionate in a variety of circumstances.  It is a desire that was passed on to me.  As I prepare to make a lengthy drive to visit and help my mother-in-law, I am reminded of the honor and privilege it that it was to help my parents and my father-in-law at the end of their lives.  Now I have the opportunity to assist Ma as well.  When we help others whether through acts of service, encouragement, teaching or some other form, it is a blessing to both parties. 

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Rest

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Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  Mark 6:31

Going into this week I knew that it would be busy with obligations to family, friends and to you as readers.  I’m also trying to get yard work done early so that I don’t get so far behind that I wear myself out trying to get it all done before I do some traveling or get so stressed that I inflict stress on my wife.  In fact, I had so many tasks on my mind that I forgot that I was supposed to get my grandsons off of the bus Monday.  (They were safe as their parents have great neighbors; their parents kindly extended gracious forgiveness to me.) There was no room in this week for allergies, a sinus infection, a cold or whatever I have come down with.  I already struggle with my normal health concerns and I just don’t need another layer of illness, but there it is and I’ve been battling it for three days.  Even worse, when I thought it was getting better, I decided to work in the garden for an hour or so.  It was probably not the wisest choice as I have asthma and am allergic to dust, pollen and grass.  The point is that I didn’t listen to my body and tried to do everything…now I’m falling short and this isn’t the post that I started working on.

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Looking Good

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Looking Good portrait

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.  Psalm 55:22

As I was going into the groomer’s shop this week to pick up our dog, our groomer was going to her car and looked at me but didn’t acknowledge me.  Later when she came back into the shop, she apologized for making me wait and stated that she thought I was a teenager using one of their parking spots and admitted that she was frustrated that a non-customer might be using their allotted parking space.  Given my age, salt and pepper hair, and a few extra pounds, the thought of me looking more than 40 years younger was laughable, but I took the “win”.  In her defense, I had on a hat, sun glasses and gym clothes making her quick glance less than informative.  Similar misconceptions may arise for those of us with invisible illnesses.  It can be challenging when people make assumptions regarding our health based on how we look.   When we make the effort to attend events and do our best to look good, others often fail to understand how ill we are, how difficult daily tasks can be, or how challenging it is for us to engage in social activities.  Those struggling with grief or various trials may face some of the same challenges with respect to the understanding or expectations of others as their struggle is not readily visible.  Even those with visible disorders may be challenged by the expectations and assumptions of others if they strive to present a strong demeanor.  Consequently, the phrase “you look good” can quickly crush our spirits.  This was certainly true for me for many years until I was shown a more biblical perspective that involves the impact of God’s sustaining grace.

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