Category: Joy Notes

JoAnne recently showed me an incredible Guidepost story.   A young mother had been stricken with very serious life threatening MS.   She was blinded and could no longer eat or move.   Her courageous young husband took her home where he arranged nursing care.  She could hear her young girls around her but could  not see them.    As she prayed, God seemed to say to her, “Use the health you have.”  At first it seemed like a mockery in her condition.   But then she thought more about the one finger that she could move.   She took God’s direction to heart and began to be very intentional about using that one finger to communicate with her family.    Slowly function returned to a second finger so she focused on how to use that too.    Eventually, little by little, much of her health miracluously returned.  Each step along the way, she courageously sought to use what new ability she had gained to relate to her family and serve them as much as possible.   At each level of recovery she used the health she had and God blessed her with more.

I know from personal experience that when we have a chronic health issue of some kind, it is easy to dwell on the negative.  I cannot imagine how hard it must have been for that young Mom to change her attitude from pity and grief to focus on the God-given new thought, “Use the health you have.”   But what a difference that redirection in her thinking made.  

This story has been an inspiration to me in the last week so I thought I would pass it on.  A Bible promise that goes with it is this:  “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart”  (Ps. 27:14 NKJV).

JoAnne mentioned to me after services on Sunday that as I led the congregation in repeating a memory verse at the close of my message, I left out the introductory words of the verse.   When she reminded me what they were, I was sorry she had not spoken out to jog my memory on the spot, for their message adds even more certainty to the point that I was underlining.  We were talking about the changes in our character that Paul describes in Col 3:5-14 as a putting off of old clothes and a putting on of new spiritual character.  I concluded by reminding us all that God has promised to continue this process.   E. Stanley Jones described it, “You cannot get rid of desire…You can only redeem desires… The only way to get rid of one desire is to replace it by a higher desire.”   Our desires themselves are being changed to be more in line with Christ’s likeness because of our love for Jesus.  The “higher desire is the love of Christ” (Conversion p. 77). As we continue in his love, “He who began a good work in you (us) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).  JoAnne reminded me that Paul starts that verse with the words, “Being confident of this…”  This phrase proclaims loudly how positive we can be in our expectations for God’s transforming work in our lives.  I find that immensely encouraging!

I love winter mornings like this–sunshine, crisp,frozen,still, but not too cold–great day for ice fishing or bird watching or taking a long winter walk at Green Lakes.   I guess it is just one of those little things to savor in life that brings us  joy. 

I read a good thought this morning in the devotional book for men that I am using in daily devotions.  The book is Walking with Christ Every Day.   It was a quote from E. Stanley Jones, who was a missionary in India.  “God is a never-ending source of support and courage for those of us who call on him.  When we are weary, He gives strength.  When we see no hope, God reminds us of his promises.  When we grieve, God wipes away our tears.   God will hold your hand and walk with you every day of your life if you let Him.  So even if your circumstances are difficult, trust the Father.  His love is eternal and His goodness endures forever.” 

“Faith is not merely you holding on to God–it is God holding on to you.”

What an encouraging word!