It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.
When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.
In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.
The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.
It can bring with it nothing but He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe His people, too;
Beneath the spreading heavens, no creature but is fed;
And He Who feeds the ravens will give His children bread.
Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe His people, too;
Beneath the spreading heavens, no creature but is fed;
And He Who feeds the ravens will give His children bread.
Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice."
Though all the field should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice."
-William Cowper, 1779
This week was a trying week. I learned a lot and am continuing to learn from the various events that have transpired over the past several days.
My five month old baby boy ended up having pertussis and bronchiolitis. Needless to say, we ended up visiting the Children's Hospital a total of six times just within the past three weeks.
The first visit occurred when my three year old daughter stuck a light brite up her nose.
The following week, she tested positive for pertussis as well.
After the light brite incident, she concluded that she is now terrified of any Dr. other than her pediatrician. We learned that lesson the hard way.
Now, as I sit here writing, there are two crockpots brimming with apples and an overflowing peach cobbler in the oven. The apples hopefully will become apple butter, and as for the peach cobbler...at least I'm not serving it to company.
O.K. enough of that rabbit trail.
I wanted to share with you the blessings that I saw in the midst of the testing. I want you to know how I sensed God's presence.
On Sunday, we decided to take a brief drive to see if the aspens here in Colorado were beginning to change. As I scurried about trying to get everything ready, I happened to over-hear the boys reading a verse they had found in Joe's coat pocket.
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
"Wow," I thought. "That was just what I needed this morning,".
The baby had just been released from the hospital after being suctioned out several times. It was exhausting. He came home on oxygen.
Jacob has been on oxygen the past several days. Pertussis can be very dangerous for babies.
I don't think I have ever felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest before. I was so afraid, so helpless.
The staff at our pediatrician's office was seeing us practically on a daily basis. The baby still needs to go back for a check up probably tomorrow. The days have been long. The nights have been even longer.
I have also been meditating on these words from "A Shelter in the Time of Storm".
The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
-Ira Sankey
