Isa 46:4"Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
It is almost two months since the last post and looking back to the two months, the LORD has indeed carried me.
Many of you reading this post today would be familiar with the poem " Footprints in the Sand" http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/index.php?page=Poem/Poem.php .Unlike the writer, I can never complain about the single set of footprints because the LORD has carried me.
In the previous post, I was in the hospital for a round of treatment; it happened and I ended up being in hospital for 6 days. Intense pain set in about 5 minutes to the end of the procedure and became a companion for the next 3 weeks. In the two years of treatment, that round of treatment was the hardest on my body; besides the pain, I was nauseous, nil by mouth for 5 days, the body was swollen for about a week and sleep was elusive. In those moments, my comfort was the awareness that the LORD was present with me and would carry me through.
I have longed for the end of the season but rejoiced more in God's grace; He avails His grace to enable us to endure or overcome a season. During one of those days when I was in intense pain and couldn't even pray, I was inspired to write a song, " Praise in my pain". Pain has a way of clouding our perspective and on that particular day, I just needed to remind myself that God is worth of my praise even while I am in the pain.
The review after the procedure was done last week and it showed that the lesion has reduced in size. The doctor recommends another round of treatment and he also made it clear that there is nothing they can do to eliminate the lesion but can only control its enlargement. It is certainly not what I hoped to hear but I am grateful that God has given me peace and joy. The situation is not impossible for Him to deal with. I have decided to go back home, I certainly need a break. I am looking forward to being with my loved ones, to serve in the church, to go back to school to complete my thesis and to sing the songs that have been born in this season.
I am resting in God's faithfulness and dependability. Since season is not over yet, I know there is grace available to carry me through.
In the midst of the disappointments of life, I know I have an anchor for my soul. It has not been all gloom, I am rejoicing in the birth of my niece last week, she is a miracle in every way.
Are you feeling hard pressed?, is your faith waning? do not give up or give in to fear. There is no limit to what God can do. Miracles are still his speciality. I pray that He will fill you with His peace like He has filled me, that you would remain assured of His love and goodness and that your praises of Him would be ceaseless. He will carry you through.
This I am convinced, the end of the matter is our good and His glory.
Praise in My Pain
The suffering of today;
incomparable to the glory to be revealed
My faith more precious than gold
Is being refined to bring you glory
I will praise you in my pain
Not that you would me out
But because you deserve it
I will praise you in my pain
You work all things for my good
and for your glory
Me being like your Son
Is the desired goal
So I will raise my praise
I will endure not because I can
But the grace you give
As the refiner you hold me in your hands
So my praise I raise
Blessings to you and your loved ones!
