Digging Deeper

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted: he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” 

- Psalm 34:18   

          Sometimes I feel as if my body is declaring mutiny, one part at a time! Five years ago, I became mysteriously sick and not even my doctors at the Cleveland Clinic could diagnose the reason my immune system began attacking itself.  I became so sick I couldn’t be around my students anymore.  I had to leave my classroom and take a disability leave of absence. Many times I asked why?  I pleaded with God to heal me.  But He didn’t, not yet.  I could still write though!  I was home every day while everyone else was at work and school. God began to help me write about my frustrations, my triumphs, and what He was teaching me into stories.  One story I wrote is called The Day Marcus Flew.  The story started as journal entries about our family vacation to Disney World.  I had time now, plenty of time without interruptions, to write.  The story about our son Marcus grew into a manuscript, was published, and released last July!  The book is about the time he traveled by airplane for the first time when he was four years old.  He realized just how small he was compared to this world, and wondered how God even knew he existed.  We were able to reassure Marcus that God loves him and even knows the number of hairs on his head!

          Does God know when I am sick and hurting?  Yes, just like he knows everything about Marcus. God is slowly healing me. He continues to bless me with writing and I get to share my story with people like you!  God does care.  He cares very much.

     How much does He care? He watched His own Son become lashed spiritually by Satan himself when Jesus was tempted in the desert.  God’s Son was lashed emotionally in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed for there to be another way besides death on a cross.  And God’s Son was lashed physically beyond recognition at the crucifixion.  God willingly gave His Son for me and you.  Please remember this world is not our home…we are not home yet.  This home we live in now is a fallen, sinful world.  Christ followers are not immune from this world’s pain, unfairness, and lashings.  Stay strong because God knows everything about you too.  He sees all your hurts – no matter how large or small, and no matter how invisible they are to others.

Bible reading:  James 5:13-18

Thank You, God for comforting me when life is painful and confusing. Wrap Your loving arms around me and surround me with Your peace.