Wells of strength
I may have no idea where I’m going at the start of a new week, but know this column will be in the hands of the Gazette editor on Friday morning.
We all have different callings. Mine is to write. It’s an adventure, knowing something will flow out of my brain, through my fingertips, across the internet and end up in printer’s ink on the Religion Page by Saturday night.
A teacher said we either write by the seat of our pants or we’re out-liners. I’m a seat-of-the-pants kind of girl. The only thing I know for sure is that I have to wind around the mountain to reach my closing, “All will be well,” a quote from St. Julian of Norwich. The author of the earliest book written in English by a woman, Julian said Jesus gave her those words in a revelation.
I can’t remember why I ended my first entry with that gem, but I’ve used it in every one of my 195 pieces, since. It means I have to dig down to discover something good in every situation. I don’t want to let my readers down. I feel like it’s my job assignment to produce an uplifting commentary that makes everyone feel better, including me.
But it’s not.
It’s my job, my joy, to write for Jesus, to Jesus. I want to minister to him with a love offering, a prayer that says he is mine and I am his forever.
Some thoughts that raise my view beyond corona virus and advanced cancer:
From Martin Luther:
“Feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving.
My warrant is the Word of God, naught else is worth believing.”
Whatever I write must align with the Word, to the best of my understanding. Right now, we all need to know there’s no right or wrong way to feel. Feelings come independently of how any of us feel about them, but that doesn’t mean they have the power to direct our thoughts and actions. That part is up to us.
From Mother Teresa, by her personal priest, Leo Maasburg:
. .. .she embodied love through powerlessness … she knew the secret power of tenderness. (“Mother Teresa of Calcutta,” page165-66.)
Her tender heart is why this feisty little lady was known as a power house for God. She treated everyone equally as a child beloved by Jesus.
From our wedding prayer of 50 years ago:
My childhood pastor, Rev. Nelson Frank, prayed the tenderness of Jesus for me as Jim and I knelt at the altar, “Give her a tenderness that will make her great.”
Yes, Lord.
Use it all, Father. The nausea, the crankiness, the cancer, the virus infecting our world, as well as the manifest good –the loving hearts of family and friends –to mold my own with a tenderness that is all about your greatness, Jesus.
From social researcher Brené Brown, as she expressed in her TEDtalk:
It’s okay to be afraid.
It’s okay (and vital) we are truthful with ourselves.
It’s okay to acknowledge our fears, vulnerability and weakness. They are the roots of all courage.
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Where do I find wells of strength in the middle of chaos, when we’re physically isolated from others?
Back to my phone. My phone is my lifeline for photos, emails, news, texting, talking, zooming, and Facetime.
Back to my books. When I feel well enough to read, books are my inspiration.
Back to Facebook. During social distancing, my mainline to relationships that matter: my family and friends from seven decades of living. Plus, currently nightly worship provided by my church settle my soul before I sleep.
It’s where my kids post landscapes, portraits, and words and ideas that challenge me.
Words like “Respirator.”
My daughter, who endured collapsed lungs and lung surgery as a college student, understands the desperate need to breathe.
Re-spirator.
Literally, to “breath again.”
Inhaling and exhaling a belly full of air calms me so mindfulness can redirect my scattered thoughts.
Back to the Trinity. Whose Spirit is the breath of life.
“Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us.
“Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me, use me…” with your image, imprinted indelibly on my spiritual DNA.
Back to the Bible. Like an old time radio show, back to my roots. God wants to encourage each of us, precious friends, so the Lord provided a comfort zone as faith. Not for easy answers, but for deeper questions.
Back to Love. God is love.
Love conquers all, demonstrated from Palm Sunday to Good Friday, and in the words and actions of Jesus, “There is no greater love than this, than to lay down one’s life for our friends.”
We are his friends.
All will be well.
“Respirator” Art by Tara; photo by Brett
Texting Thru Recovery/Indiana Gazette
10 COMMENTS
Thank You for your writings. God bring healing to every part of your body. Claudia
Thank you! He is our healing God and I trust his timing, Claudia. Even when it calls me into an unknown future, I have a knowing God.
Thank you, dear friend. Dave and I had the same prayer by Rev. Nelson Frank read at our wedding! 42 years ago. Your words, as always, provide comfort to my soul. So many of look forward to your writings. May your day be full of blessings today amid so many uncertainties in our world today. God is our one constant. Let us lean in each day or strength and Devine guidance.
Yes, and I found a copy on that prayer on line, Cappy! How blessed to have him as our pastor!
I’m blessed to hear your honest words concerning weakness and strength. One of my favorite experiences as a nurse is about a little lady in a nursing home. She suffered a stroke which paralyzed her right side. I came to work for the afternoon shift at the skilled nursing facility and our routine was to go room to room for shift report. When we stood at the door to this little ladies room, her bed was empty. I heard the story that in the morning someone asked her if she wanted to go to “coffee clutch” as an activity at 10 AM. She said “no, Jesus is coming for me then.” Because there was no indication of her pending death, the staff asked her how she knew that. She said, “Jesus took me by my right hand and said that he was coming for her this morning at 10 o’clock.” Guess what happened. She died at 10 o’clock with no warning whatsoever.
Psalm 73:23
“nevertheless, I am continually with you: you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there’s nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing it, Donna! How God uses believing nurses like you!
As always….a blessing to all who read your submissions. I often go back to your writings for strength and reminders that all WILL be well. Love you.
We’re blessed with a lifetime friendship, Doris. So grateful!
You are such a joy, such a delight, such a gem! I know that it is different for all of us in the day to day humanness of miscommunication or irritation or the fatigue of illness, BUT, what you are able to tap into an express is priceless, and so are you, my friend.
I love you, Jaye. Since we first met, you’ve always seen the best in me, calling forth the spirit within me to grow in the image of Jesus. What a gift you are!
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