Snapshots

At my work, we sometimes take "snapshots" of the data from which we can learn a great deal. This post is simply a snapshot of recent days.

Snapshot 1 - Legacy
This spring, I had the great opportunity to assist my parents in a move to a senior apartment. As you can imagine, it was not an easy move as we sifted through a lifetime of memories and accumulated possessions. As Mom and Dad lovingly gave away what they knew we could use or would be most meaningful to each of us, I thought of their legacy. The legacy was not in these things, but in the faith and character which has been handed down from them. 

On Memorial Day, my oldest brother and I took over the cemetery flowers. We both came away in awe at the legacy of faith that God has given. A brief search into our ancestry showed that that legacy of faith went back to the Plymouth plantation and back to Geoffrey Chaucer... yes... Geoffrey Chaucer! :) My siblings and I were in awe and thought of Hebrews 12:1-2 and the great crowd of witnesses! We were inspired to continue to carry the torch of faith!

Snapshot 2 - Contentment
Through all the changes and duties, my health continued to be difficult. Those others with chronic illnesses know the challenge of pushing knowing that it will cost a couple days of recovery for each time pushed, the smile you put on trying to hide the pain, weakness, and fatigue, and that even small service means giving your all which is sometimes not enough for people. 

In this, God taught me to be content not only in the limitations and pain, but in peoples' misunderstandings.

Snapshot 3 - Longsuffering
The fatigue, weakness, and pain became insidious. I begged God for help to glorify Him. I begged God for relief and for strength to push through another day, to make food, to clean, to know priorities in helping others. And yet, it seemed He was silent. It was at those times that I knew I simply had to trust His Word and His love for me. He was teaching me the longsuffering from the fruit of the Spirit.

Snapshot 4 - New Creature
This past week, my doctor started a treatment on me as a trial basis to see if it would resolve the worsening symptoms. With in 24 hours I had my life back so to speak! I am still in the trial period to see if this will work longterm. It is in God's hands.

As I go through the day, I find myself responding as if I still have the profound weakness, falling, fatigue instead of returning strength. It reminded me of God's declaration that we are a new creature and that God says, "... such were some of you, but..." It hit me that sometimes in my life I am living as if God hasn't restored my relationship with Him through Jesus, as if I am not a new creature. Ouch!

Snapshot 5 - If we win we praise Him, and if we lose we praise Him." ~Facing the Giants
I am enjoying day two of renewed energy even after pushing myself yesterday. I praise God for this strength! Yet, I have no guarantee of strength tomorrow. My heart cry is that if He takes away the strength tomorrow, I still praise Him! As Job said, "...The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Life is full of snapshots. What collage do the snapshots of your life make?