– See more at: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/#sthash.HKOK8ry9.dpuf
– See more at: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/#sthash.HKOK8ry9.dpuf
Do not be afraid, because I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called you by name;
you are mine.
–Isaiah 43:1
For me and most of our country, September 11 is a sad day, winging our thoughts and our prayers to those who suffered so much loss in the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of our country. In respect for those who died, their families, and those who provided rescue, I’d like to begin this blog today with a silent prayer for those families who were tragically and personally touched by 911 and for our nation.
Given the history of September 11, today is definitely a bit of a emotional day, and one for me that is also the end of an emotional week. Most of you know that my husband and I just moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, a tiny community that is one of the nation’s top lake destinations. Because of the tourism the Lake brings, it’s sort of a surreal mindset here in the summer, where the emphasis is definitely on watersports and boating and just plain having fun.
But then life happens to alter your perspective, quickly reducing surreal mindsets down to the only one that matters:
We belong to God.
And, boy oh boy, was I glad of that this week because last Sunday, we landed in the Emergency Room when my husband contracted pneumonia. You know, there was a time when that word didn’t scare me, but in recent years, I’ve seen the damage it can do if not corralled quickly enough. Before antibiotics came on the scene, pneumonia was one of the deadliest diseases around, and even today with our advanced medical state, there are still about 1 million people hospitalized with pneumonia every year, approximately 50,000 of which die from the disease.
So when I saw my strong, strapping husband burning up with fever, soaking and changing four T-shirts a night, and losing 7 lbs. in a few days, I got real nervous, especially when the fever lasted almost a week. I’d lay there at night praying for him while vile thoughts of being a widow flashed through my mind. I can’t tell you how many times I sat up to see if he was breathing or touched him to see if his skin was still burning up. Trust me, this is one time you don’t want to be a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen) because the anxiety and loss of sleep took a real toll on me. After several nights of this, all I could do was touch him while he slept and whisper Jesus’ name over and over again.
And guess what? That one amazing, beautiful, totally powerful name not only sent a peace coursing through me, but I believe it fought the pneumonia as well. At one point in the night, I even remember smiling through tears because in my mind’s eye, I suddenly saw the rhythmic whisper of Jesus’ name almost like a blood transfusion, pumping healing into my husband’s body through the healing Blood of Jesus! His Blood, His Name, His presence in our lives. And all because we belong to Him!
I am happy to report that the love of my life is finally on the mend, given a thumbs-up by the doc yesterday as long as he takes it easy and rests for at least another week. Yeah, we’ll see how that goes — he was out sawing dead limbs off several trees this morning before I hounded him to go inside, the poor guy weak and out of breath. Sigh.
God has called each of us by name, stating unequivocally that “you are mine.” That’s me and that’s you. But reflecting on 911, I’m reminded that bad things sometimes do happen to those who belong to Him, but that doesn’t ever change the fact that we are His, both on this side of eternity and the other. And I don’t know about you, but that is the one thing I cling to when life gets a little too real like it did for me this last week and like it has and is for many of you right now. Please don’t forget that you are His — His prized possession and the apple of His eye. He will see us through whatever life throws our way.
I am forever grateful to God and to those of you who prayed for my husband this week — THANK YOU!!
In closing, I’d like to post a tiny clip from one of my own favorite spiritual scenes because it underscores that we belong to Him, and we should never forget it. This is from A Love Surrendered, where the hero Steven O’Connor finally “gets it” that he belongs to God.
“God will help you do the right thing.”
His father’s parting words opened his eyes, prompting him to search the heavens. “Will you, God? Will you help me to do the right thing—not just with Annie, but with the rest of my life?”
His whisper broke in the dark, hoarse and cracked and so desperate for change that emotion choked the words in his throat. “I-I’ve made so many mistakes . . . with my father, with Maggie, with you. I’m begging you . . .” A heave shuddered his body. “Forgive me, please . . . and change me like you changed my father . . . and help me to become the man you want me to be.”
The steady beat of the rain drummed on the roof while the cold air chilled his body, the cool and damp of impending winter heavy in the air. And yet somehow, Steven felt warm, his breathing shallow as his eyes scanned the sky. There were no bolts of lightning to illuminate the dark nor peals of thunder to herald anything new. Only the still small voice of God in his heart, stirring a flame of hope that brought peace to his soul.
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He leadeth me beside the still waters . . . He restoreth my soul . . . He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness . . .
“I don’t understand,” Steven rasped, eyes brimming with tears. “Why do you even care?
Because you are mine, the thought came, and Steven bowed his head and wept.
Because for the first time in his life, he finally understood.
He was.
Hugs and Healthy Weekend!
Julie
SUPER PAPERBACK DEAL — HUGE SALE ON HEART OF SAN FRANCISCO SERIES!!
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! The PAPERBACK copies for the entire Heart of San Francisco series are ON SALE for only $1.99 each at CBD for a short time, so take advantage!! Here are the links: LOVE AT ANY COST, DARE TO LOVE AGAIN, SURPRISED BY LOVE.
MY NEW CONTEMPORARY NOVEL TO RELEASE SOON!!
Well, I’m pretty excited because my newest novel, Isle of Hope, will be releasing in e-book only in late October or early November, so stay tuned to Journal Jots for the exact date and when you can preorder, okay?
She stole his heart.
He stole her peace.
Can hope steal their pain?
At the age of eighteen, Lacey Carmichael was a wild girl bent on fun, promised to Jack Carmichael, a straight-and-narrow pastor’s kid bent on the seminary. When her father kicks her out of the house, she runs away from Isle of Hope, turning her back on everything she loves. Now, eight years later, she’s back as a woman of faith, hoping to make amends to the father she defied, the boyfriend she deserted, and the best friend she denied. Only the bridges she’s burned are still smoldering, kindled by an adulterous affair by Jack’s pastor father that damaged his son’s faith. But can a turning of tables—and hearts—lead the way back to “hope” for them all?
