The Lord Gives and Takes Away

One of my all-time favorite songs. It speaks for itself...

Rain on Me Book Give-Away

I spent the entire month of June (and bits of both May and July) with my foot elevated and unable to bear weight because of a broken bone. I am still in a walking boot and won't know for another month if I will avoid surgery or not, but am very thankful to be walking once again! During my six weeks of rest I was blessed by the loving care of family and friends that God sent to provide all our needs and was continually amazed by God's creativity in supplying for His children. But I also had moments of self-pity and needed reminders that God could bring good out of this season of pain and setback.

One beautiful thing God did through this time where I had no option but to "be still" was to allow me to take a 40-day walk through the beautiful new book by Holley Gerth, Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times. As an author I have frequent opportunities to review books and do enjoy many of the ones I am blessed to read. But there are a handful that stand out to me as "the cream of the crop" and Rain on Me is one of those beautifully crafted treasures that speaks to the heart. The writer in me just relished in all the delightful word pictures and the way Holley made a seemingly mundane topic such as "weather" come alive. The frustration in my own spirit over being down, and on a wider scale the ongoing struggles of chronic illness, were ministered to very personally way by Holley's reflections. So many meet me right where I lived and I kept thinking, "I'll have to ask Holley if I can reprint part of this one on my blog when I post about her book!" only to have the same thoughts about a different devotional a few days later. The "counselor" in found myself listing the names of so many hurting hearts who would be encouraged and ministered to by this amazing little book.

So rather than try to reprint so many portions of her devotional reflections, Holley has generously shared a free copy of her book that I will be thrilled to send to one of my blog readers at the end of this month. To be entered into my random drawing for Rain on Me please post a reply on this blog entry before midnight on July 31, 2009. Be sure to leave me an email address of some valid form of contact so I may get in touch with you and request your mailing address when you win. (Original winner will be given 3 days to reply to contest winning notification or I will move on to a secondary winner drawing.)

For more wonderful reading, drop by Holley's blog. Not only does she write beautifully, but she also gives away beautiful DaySpring gifts from time to time. ;)

Can't Afford Medical Care?

Rest Ministries has put together a wonderful resource list of health-care related ministries that may be able to help you out if you need assistance obtaining medical care due to financial limitations.

Joni and Friends television

Many of us have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada, quadriplegic author and artist who has a heart for hurting people and has created an amazing world-wide disabilities outreach. But maybe you didn't know that Joni is now hosting a television show offering insights into the lives of real people who are striving to harvest hope from their intense heartaches. Watch these inspirational programs at JoniandFriendsTV.org/.

What to Say When They Won't "Feel Better Soon"

I have lamented, long and loud, the apparent great lack of greeting cards designed for those in chronic circumstances of grief, illness or other struggles. When you want to send a card of encouragement to a friend who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, a cheery, "Get well soon" just doesn't cut it! Or what about an ongoing illness, that while maybe not fatal, has dragged on for weeks, or months, or years with no resolution in sight? Or for someone who has lost a loved one and is several months or even a few years down the pathway of learning to live again in the midst of grief, yet still faces unexpectedly painful seasons?

For friends with chronic illness I've occasionally resorted to using typical "get well" cards then including a personal note that I know the card sentiment is greatly lacking but that I am praying for their ongoing journey. But all too often I've left the card isle frustrated, and for lack of knowing what to say and not finding anything that captures my sentiments well, I've ended up taking the worse course of action possible - sending/saying/doing nothing at all. :(

When recently reconnecting with an online friend who works at DaySpring, I shared with Holley my concern. Much to my delight, she introduced me to a beautiful line of cards called "A Time of Need". Far from your typical "get well soon," these cards address deep pain head-on, yet with much tenderness and gentle compassion. I've now reviewed more than a dozen cards from this line and found myself wiping at tears both for what receiving sentiments like this would mean to me personally, and in thankfulness that there is such a wonderful resource now available for me to use when reaching out to others. Next time you are looking for just the right words, I would encourage you to head for the DaySpring cards rack at your local Christian bookstore and draw a deep breath of fresh air as you read through the "A Time of Need" selections!

Broken Foot

Just after we moved to Reno 11 years ago, I broke the small bone in my left foot that connects my little toe to my ankle. That break resulted in surgery and I still have two pins holding those bones together.
Well, graceful woman that I am, I managed to break the exact same bone, but this time in my right foot, the beginning of this week. At this point the foot is still too swollen to cast and the jury is out about surgery or not because of the placement of the fracture. So I'm in a splint with instructions to keep the foot elevated (thus greatly limiting computer access) and to bear no weight on it for 6 weeks.
On Wednesday we plan to take another set of x-rays and either cast or schedule surgery (depending on what the x-rays reveal about current healing) at that point.

Just in Case You Wonder...

Yes, I have bad days too! I know it can be overwhelming sometimes to read messages of exhortation like the one I just wrote on thorns, because it is easy to feel like, "Is this author for real?"

Let me assure you, yes, I get it. No, I don't go around jumping up and down every minute (not that I can jump much anyway!) saying, "Praise the Lord, I feel so sick today!" I'm physically not doing well at all right now, and while I try to keep God's purpose in the forefront of my mind, like it was the day I wrote the thorns message, I have very down days too, where the unrelenting physical attack wears away at the spirit and the emotions as well.

I'm not saying this to try to get sympathy, just to let you know that while this blog is about Harvesting Hope from Heartache, I understand that some seasons are much harder to "harvest" in than others. If that's where you are right now, please know you are in my prayers and take with you this {{{gentle hug}}}.