A
few days ago, a friend, a dear long-time friend, called to ask how I
was doing and to pass on some words of comfort. I was blessed. But
after the conversation, it hit me that here is someone who reaches out
to speak comfort, when he is needing encouragements living with his dear
wife who has Alzheimers. Day in and day out, as the days roll on, he
is there helping her. I think I failed to comfort him. Pray for him,
as you do pray for those you know who so need a touch.
Sunday
was the one year mark since Carlin’s Memorial Service. These days are
lonelier. But God gives me so many special things. i.e. coming across
what Isaac Watts wrote:
“My God how endless is Thy love!
Thy gifts are every evening new,
And morning mercies from above
gently distill like early dew.
Thou spreadest the curtains of the night—
Great Guardian of my sleeping hours;
Thy Sovereign word restores the light
And quickens all my drowsy powers.
I yield my powers to Thy command
To Thee I consecrate my days;
Perpetual blessings from Thy hand
demand perpetual songs of praise.”
Those
last two phrases hit me. Yes, perpetual praise. God inhabits the
praises of His people! The spirit of praise for the spirit of
heaviness. I will sing praise because He is worthy of all my praise.
(I feel like I’m preaching a sermon! Not intended.)
Anita Corrine Donahue prayed this—it expresses so much where I am at right now:
“Thank
you for loving me. From You came my very being. In You is my course
of life. You know my needs, my abilities, my longings. You listen to
my joys, my sadness, my frustrations, my dreams. You are my everlasting
Father.
Thank
You for always being present with me. When I call on Your name, I
praise You for already being here. My Abba, which art in Heaven.
Tender love. You hear my cry. You see me whole, complete, pure, healed
because You see me through Jesus. Thank You for providing a Paraclete,
the One Who is able to carry away the sins of the whole world. Thank
you that Jesus is there at Your right hand, interceding for me. My
comfort by day, and my song in the night, my hope, my salvation, my
all.”
See
how wonderfully God gives comforts throughout the days! Different
things are reminders of His awesome, unfailing, everlasting love and
care. Even phone calls from dear old friends.
I trust you are blessed today. Thank you for your notes telling me you are still praying.
Love,
Marcia
