Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
On the eve of medical appointments and procedures for two beloved grandparents my daughter and I had a sweet bedtime conversation. I sensed a worrying heart in her and my own needed instructing as well.
I recalled our experience at the Good Friday service of walking up to the cross to nail a paper with a sin issue written on it. I asked her to imagine the cross again but this time taking her worries and cares for her beloved grandparents in a large and heavy sack to the foot of the cross. If we lay them there, at the foot of the Almighty God, do you think He can handle it? She agreed that he could.
I asked her to imagine getting up without the heavy bundle and walk away. After a few paces, look over your shoulder and listen to God say, "I have it my child. Trust me with your cares because I care for you."
As you walk away having heard that He has it, find something to thank Him for in the midst of the difficulty. We were thankful for symptoms that triggered a doctor's appointment and wonderful medical care available to these dear ones...as we know many around the world do not have such treatments available.
If you left the concern with God the promise is an unexplained peace that pervades and guards your heart and mind. I asked her to imagine a soldier guarding a fortress. She remembered King Théoden and Aragorn standing guard at the fortress of Hornburg, in the valley of Helm's Deep from the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers. With the Holy Spirit guarding our heart and mind in Christ Jesus, it isn't surprising to experience a peace in the midst of trials.
The trouble is, we usually run back to pick up that heavy burden and carry it around with us. I told her I would most likely do that many times during the day, thinking about what these grandparents are going through. But when I do, I will imagine all over....going to the cross, laying my burden down, walking away, looking over my shoulder, hearing God, thanking Him and trusting the Holy Spirit to guard my heart and mind that belongs to Jesus. I can then do my day with a pervading peace.
I recalled our experience at the Good Friday service of walking up to the cross to nail a paper with a sin issue written on it. I asked her to imagine the cross again but this time taking her worries and cares for her beloved grandparents in a large and heavy sack to the foot of the cross. If we lay them there, at the foot of the Almighty God, do you think He can handle it? She agreed that he could.
I asked her to imagine getting up without the heavy bundle and walk away. After a few paces, look over your shoulder and listen to God say, "I have it my child. Trust me with your cares because I care for you."
As you walk away having heard that He has it, find something to thank Him for in the midst of the difficulty. We were thankful for symptoms that triggered a doctor's appointment and wonderful medical care available to these dear ones...as we know many around the world do not have such treatments available.
If you left the concern with God the promise is an unexplained peace that pervades and guards your heart and mind. I asked her to imagine a soldier guarding a fortress. She remembered King Théoden and Aragorn standing guard at the fortress of Hornburg, in the valley of Helm's Deep from the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers. With the Holy Spirit guarding our heart and mind in Christ Jesus, it isn't surprising to experience a peace in the midst of trials.The trouble is, we usually run back to pick up that heavy burden and carry it around with us. I told her I would most likely do that many times during the day, thinking about what these grandparents are going through. But when I do, I will imagine all over....going to the cross, laying my burden down, walking away, looking over my shoulder, hearing God, thanking Him and trusting the Holy Spirit to guard my heart and mind that belongs to Jesus. I can then do my day with a pervading peace.
5 comments:
A worthy word for my heart this day; thanks for your comment and for checking in. I continue in prayerful pause for your family, every day. Please let your daughter know that she is not alone in her concerns for family. I'm making that trip to the cross on behalf of so many.
And God's peace is our sure portion as we linger in the healing stream of Christ's willing surrender.
peace~elaine
Thanks Amy...I really needed to be reminded of that today :)
An interesting post in light of our recent discussion about the general pandemic biblical illiteracy in the church, and our own fight against the feelings of not passing on enough pragmatic Bible knowledge to our children.
I'd say we're doing just fine, in large part because of you.
Dear Amy, my heart is so blessed by your post and your kindness. Your words to me overwhelmed me with grace, and I feel so undeserving of them.
You are a powerful woman of grace, though you may or may not know it. The love, mercy, and strength you pour into your home, family, and others speak of the working of Christ within you.
I praise God for you this day! Be encouraged, dearest daughter, for God is watching over His word to perform it in your life, now and forever (Jeremiah 1:12)!
In Christ's Love,
Andrea
Dearest Heart,
A lovely, precious post. I dare say that any grandparent with "medical appointments and procedures" and "in need of medical care" would be blessed in reading these heart-felt words.
Your thoughts "I asked her to imagine getting up without the heavy bundle and walk away. After a few paces, look over your shoulder and listen to God say, "I have it my child. Trust me with your cares because I care for you" made me weep. As with every chemo day, I wore Elizabeth's "Keep Shining" bracelet yesterday and want her to know that God indeed is answering her prayer. Our culture doesn't always handle troubles well but they are the SOS pads that keep the pots sparkling and therefore useful until the end or, better said, the new beginning.
I love each of you so very much,
Judy-Mom
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