Posts
I heard this song, 'Healing Hand of God,' by Jeremy Camp today for the first time. It's just what I needed to hear. I have experienced the healing hand of God this past year at multiple levels. Walking forward, I must choose to continue to hold onto His healing hand, that's always held out.
I've attached Jeremy Camp's story behind this song, for those who don't know it. In 2004, just two months after he was married, his wife died of cancer. That tragedy pierced his life and heart, yet he cried out for God's grace to bear the pain of that soul-wrenching loss. God has faithfully turned his pain into spiritual might that he shares with others through his music.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Aftershock
Recently we have been inundated with news about the earthquake in Haiti. The devastation to this land and the people who live there is heart wrenching. Having lived in Iowa all my life I have never experienced an earthquake, however I have experienced aftershock.
Webster's dictionary defines aftershock as an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event(s).
A year ago (this week), after my annual physical, I was asked to return for an ultra sound due to an abnormal mammogram. I knew in my gut after the ultra sound that I had breast cancer. Within hours after the visit, I received a call from my OB/GYN who referred me to a surgeon. A week later, I had a biopsy and the results were positive.
2009 began with numerous medical procedures that led to several surgeries and months of chemotherapy related to my cancer diagnosis. In May, came the loss of employment, followed by financial stress due to loss of my income, then in August, my father-in-law passed away suddenly. (His 77th birthday would have been this week.) Multiple unexpected, traumatic "events" compounded one after the other.
I thought after one year, I'd feel differently than I do. The worst is behind us. I didn't expect to feel angry, irritable, fatigued, lacking energy. I thought I'd feel more "normal," by now, as some would say. Instead, today, I wept uncontrollably, unexpectedly. A surprising response? No, an aftershock, an aftereffect from the distressing year of 2009.
So why am I sharing this? It's not for pity. I know many others who have suffered in much greater ways than I have. I share this as a reminder to those of you who are enduring a difficult time - whether that be health issues, loss of employment, financial hardship or grieving the loss of a loved one. Give yourself time to heal and to mourn the loss. Don't try to force the healing process. Be patient with the pace of your recovery. It's your own personal journey - it'll be different for everyone. Give yourself permission to feel without judgment or guilt. Speaking from a "queen of suppression," that's a hard one for me.
I'm certain there will be more unexpected aftershocks down the road, similar to what I experienced today. In preparation, I turn to the restoration promise from Jeremiah 30:17 that I wrote on an index card a year ago. It's posted near my kitchen window, as a physical reminder of His promise to restore and heal me - even the wounds the surgeons didn't make, hidden deep inside of me.
Jeremiah 30:17 - "I WILL restore you to health and heal your wounds."
Although the earth quakes, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Psalm 46:1-2) God is our refuge in the face of total destruction like we've seen in Haiti and during personal aftershocks like I experienced first hand today. Cry out to Him. He is the ever-present help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Webster's dictionary defines aftershock as an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event(s).
A year ago (this week), after my annual physical, I was asked to return for an ultra sound due to an abnormal mammogram. I knew in my gut after the ultra sound that I had breast cancer. Within hours after the visit, I received a call from my OB/GYN who referred me to a surgeon. A week later, I had a biopsy and the results were positive.
2009 began with numerous medical procedures that led to several surgeries and months of chemotherapy related to my cancer diagnosis. In May, came the loss of employment, followed by financial stress due to loss of my income, then in August, my father-in-law passed away suddenly. (His 77th birthday would have been this week.) Multiple unexpected, traumatic "events" compounded one after the other.
I thought after one year, I'd feel differently than I do. The worst is behind us. I didn't expect to feel angry, irritable, fatigued, lacking energy. I thought I'd feel more "normal," by now, as some would say. Instead, today, I wept uncontrollably, unexpectedly. A surprising response? No, an aftershock, an aftereffect from the distressing year of 2009.
So why am I sharing this? It's not for pity. I know many others who have suffered in much greater ways than I have. I share this as a reminder to those of you who are enduring a difficult time - whether that be health issues, loss of employment, financial hardship or grieving the loss of a loved one. Give yourself time to heal and to mourn the loss. Don't try to force the healing process. Be patient with the pace of your recovery. It's your own personal journey - it'll be different for everyone. Give yourself permission to feel without judgment or guilt. Speaking from a "queen of suppression," that's a hard one for me.
I'm certain there will be more unexpected aftershocks down the road, similar to what I experienced today. In preparation, I turn to the restoration promise from Jeremiah 30:17 that I wrote on an index card a year ago. It's posted near my kitchen window, as a physical reminder of His promise to restore and heal me - even the wounds the surgeons didn't make, hidden deep inside of me.
Jeremiah 30:17 - "I WILL restore you to health and heal your wounds."
Although the earth quakes, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Psalm 46:1-2) God is our refuge in the face of total destruction like we've seen in Haiti and during personal aftershocks like I experienced first hand today. Cry out to Him. He is the ever-present help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)