Heroes, Part 2

Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,[a] the source and perfecter[b] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[c] endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne." HCSB

From the time I was a young girl, my parents told me about Joni Eareckson Tada. 

She was made a quadriplegic in a diving accident when still a teenager. Her life, hopes, and dreams were changed. God used that accident to transform her life and to shine through her. She sings almost everywhere she goes. 

On my bad days, I would remember (or be reminded of 😜) what she had gone through and how she responded. She has been an inspiration and example to me all these years.

Recently, after all she has gone through not one but two rounds of cancer. It would be easy to ask God why... why her? Yet... she still sings and praises God. As I continue to face medical challenges, her attitude challenges me to glorify Him despite the circumstances. 

A couple years ago, I had the amazing opportunity to sing in a choir with her in Nashville, TN. Although I did not get to meet her personally, it was a tremendous blessing to see her spirit shine for Jesus Christ!

She is another in the great cloud of witnesses as she continues to serve our great Saviour through adversity!

Heroes, part 1

Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,[a] the source and perfecter[b] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[c] endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne." HCSB

I was reminiscing with an old friend tonight about those who have traveled the road before us and still inspire us to remain faithful today. The people who are the large cloud of witnesses. 

One of my heroes was his grandmother. It was just after I turned 11 that I met her. My dad had just become a pastor of a new church, her church. I was an awkward preteen, made more awkward by my disability. She was a bent-over elderly lady with gnarled, deformed fingers and feet. Every movement was hard for her. And then, I saw her face. Her face was love. There is no other way to describe her. It was beautiful as it glowed with Christ's love. She knew pain and the frustration of a body that would not do what she wanted. She understood me in ways others couldn't. 

Grandma Y still inspires me today and has been a part of shaping who I am. She never preached, but encouraged. Every conversation pointed us back to Christ, but in a way that made you want to know Him the way she did. She spent hours in communion with him, was a prayer warrior, and it showed. She loved fiercely. She gave freely. She gave all. She reminds me of the widow in Mark 12 who gave all she had. 

She was weak, yet one of the strongest women I know. God used her weakness. 

As an adult, her spirit and faith mean even more as my body begins to fail. She made me realize that no matter our circumstances, God can use us. It is Him, not us. 

It makes me ponder, "Will I be one of the faithful ones for those coming after to follow, to see Christ? Will they see love and joy on my face?"

In the coming weeks, I hope to share more of the heroes who have gone before showing me the way to Christ.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

From My Window

Recently, I joined a facebook group that has people posting what they see from their window during the prolonged quarantine.

The world has changed in the past few months as many were isolated. My world had changed about six months prior as isolation was the only way to retain health. Over this time period, I have gone through the range of emotions and struggled to trust and accept what my life is, what my life will be moving forward.

And so, as I write this, I watch the world go by from my window.

From my window, I see the families out walking. They are young, old, all shades of skin, all walks of life. They carry their own burdens. They need our Father. And so... watching from my window, I pray for these neighbors.

From my window, I see God's grace.

From my window, I see joy and pain.

From my window, I see His blessings in the glorious sunshine and flowers and green. I see the birds and squirrels enjoying the feeder.

From my window, I see the rain, wind, hail and storms.

From my window, I see family and friends.

From my window, I see a glimpse of God's heart. He sees the heartache that I sometimes witness on faces as they pass. His heart weeps for the brokenness of this world. He loves this world so much that He came to rescue it.

From my window, I watch... waiting in anticipation for Him to return. It seems by recent events that it may be soon.

My world seemed to shrink last September, and yet, I believe it expanded!

What do you see from your window?

Perspective - Unforeseen Blessing From Difficult Times

As someone with a compromised immune system and multiple chronic illnesses, being house-bound and becoming comfortable with the disappointment of canceled plans due to personal illness or that of others was part of life. Stares in public due to the required mask were common-place.

My thoughts and heart went out to people as they were facing huge disappointments during this pandemic, isolation, and loneliness. They are experiencing my world and the world of thousands of others who deal with this on a regular basis. We know the pain of constant isolation, loneliness, and disappointment, the lesson of flexibility due to unexpected illness flares.

This pandemic does make those of us who have fragile health even more cut-off as we must avoid contact for preservation of health and, possibly, life. I have felt this severely, having my share of bad days handling it.

And yet... God provides. Today, it hit me as I was counting my blessings. In some ways, I can now be more connected. These little ways are huge blessings!

• Many events that I would have had to miss due to my immune system are now live-streamed or recorded. I can actually be a part of conferences, "concerts," church services, family events, etc. These are all things I would have had to miss!
• My neighbors are out walking. On days when my lungs like the weather, I sit outside to greet them as they walk. I am meeting so many wonderful people! I know this is true of others as well as you see more and more stories of people helping others, reaching out to strangers. 
• My work-team (an awesome team, at that!) stays connected via text several times each day to check up on each other, share funny quarantine things, and share the difficult times. I think in some ways, it has drawn our team even closer. 
• More concentration on what is truly important has been amazing. Relationships and connection with people through phone calls, messages, FaceTime have become very precious. 
• OK... and I no longer stand out with my mask! I blend in! :) Dare I say that I will look normal?! :) 

These things are opening up new worlds for me and hundreds of others who have been left out before. It reminds me of the promise in Isaiah 61:3 that God gives beauty for ashes, a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. There is good coming from the pandemic. It seems we are understanding the plight of those around us more. We understand the pain that so many, especially the elderly, go through as we have a glimpse into their lives. 

After this is all over, I hope we can learn from these lessons and have a greater understanding of what is truly important. I hope that live-streaming and recordings may continue to be more available for those whose life is isolated.