A Prophet and a Prayer

¹⁶ I trembled inside when I heard this;
    my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,^[d]
    and I shook in terror.
I will wait quietly for the coming day
    when disaster will strike the people who invade us.
¹⁷ Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,^[e]
    able to tread upon the heights.

 

Habakkuk prayed this prayer waiting in terror for the judgement of the Lord to fall.  And in verses 17-19 he spoke words that would be classic.  Today I read a blog written by a woman with Addison's Disease who was once again going through deep waters.  And in the comments, a woman  listed simply as "Carmen" quoted these verses and then wrote her own version for her own circumstances.  I was struck by that and thought that I too, would like to attempt this.

Even though its winter and sidewalks are ice-covered

and many people are unemployed.

Even though finances shrink and bills abound,

Even though I now am having more surgery

Which will keep me from being able to produce ANYTHING

and will prevent me from exercising indoors or out

Even though pain will escalate and sleep will flee

YET I will rejoice in the Lord,, the one who saves me!

I will be jubilant in the Care of the Father Eternal!

It is HE who gives me strength! 

It is HE who determines my weight and way and strength.

And whether or not I can walk or run,

He will make me surefooted as I maneuver my way

Amongst the challenges I will face as I walk this path.

http://www.stolenwoman.blogspot.com/2012/12/urgent-care-steroids-and-antibiotics.html This is the link to the blog from where I stole this idea.

 

Remembering Christmas- a Review

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'm not one for fatuous happily ever after stories and I confess have never before read a "Christmas Book,"but I thought I would break from my person tradition and read this book by Dan Walsh.  It was engaging; the story line was fairly simple and straightforward.  It is the kind of book that renews hope for the hard hearted that populate your prayer list, the story of a how love changed a life and brought that life to the arms of the one who invented Love.  The fact that they found love along the way was just an added feel good in the book.  It was simple without being fatuous; happy without being sappy; a love story without mush or sex; and most importantly, it was the story of a life changed by love.



View all my reviews

Pre-Surgical Prayer

http://jlarance.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/photographs-of-doctors-in-sugery/

 The  day started with early dishes then back to recline, slumber drawing my lids.  My friend arrived to clean my house.  I should have worked out and showered but because I could not work it around her, I did neither ....Nor did I fully dress....wearing for the most part, what  I wore yesterday.  Today, dread has clutched my throat.  Worry about the impending surgery has grabbed my thoughts.  How will they get an IV line in me? How will I get down into DH's car to come home?  Who will cook? I should certainly cook ahead and freeze meals. Oh! I am afraid!

Then Ann Voskamp wrote, that "when you are turned away from God, life turns ugly, but when you are turned toward God, life turns lovely."  ( http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/12/the-best-way-to-do-christmas-cleaning/ )

She then went on to quote Spurgeon...with a quote that ended with "The sacred has absorbed the secular."  How quiet work becomes a sacrament.  our breath, Incense.

Is my life turned toward God?  I have to answer that right now, It' s not.  But I desire it to be.  "Lord, turn my heart toward you in the manner that Mary turned her soul toward you to receive from your Spirit the seed of the Messiah.  Implant in me you will; your ways; your wishes...make them my own.  Then turn my work into sacrament; my clothing to vestments.

"As I surrender my body to the needle and knife, may it be YOU holding the blade.  Cut out of me that which is broken and obdurate and  implant in me something steady, shining; that turns on its axis in the direction you shall point.  May it be secure, dependable. May it live and move directed by you; pleasing to you."

I will give him the details and trust that he make them right and smooth.