Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Out Of Order

Hey Friend,
 
I am posting this a day early because tomorrow (my usual day for posting) I will be in surgery for several hours.  Just like the gas pump, the public bathroom, or the soda machine, I will have a white, hand-scribbled note taped to me that says "Out of Order". 
 
I covet your prayers as I undergo my third major surgery in less than three years.  I admit that I am weary and tired of pain, but I look forward, with hopeful anticipation, to potentially being free of some of this pain.  I am also a wee bit curious as to what God will do in my life during this extended recuperation time. 
 
You see, in 2013, when I was about to go stir crazy after my first knee surgery, God whispered...okay, shouted to me, "Go back to your love of writing!"  My degree, some thirty years ago, was in English and Communications.  I loved to write and what better subject to write about than my first love - my Lord.  My blog began during that "desert" time in my life and now reaches people around the globe. I am proof that God can do great things with broken vessels and cracked pots.
 
Through my blog and international connections, I fell in love with some precious and innocent orphans and destitute children in the epicenter of evil that is the Middle East.  Where better to raise the banner of Christ's Love than in the enemy's territory??  You could say, what began with knee surgery wound up starting a Christian school (Redeemer Christian School) that seeks to answer God's command to serve and protect the "least of these" and to share the love of Jesus with those who most need to hear it. 
 
So, I wonder, what will God be up to this time??  What is He going to whisper in my ear?  How will He move the Spirit who dwells in me to move and do His good will...I firmly believe the best is yet to come!
 
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 1:6)
 
God began this good work in me and I have every confidence that He will see it through to completion.  We don't reach our point of "arrival" on this side of Heaven.  Until Christ comes again, I know God will continue to use me if I will just do Him the kind favor of getting myself out of the way lol.
 
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
 
If there's one thing I know about Jesus, it is this...Jesus doesn't play it safe.  Oh no, He goes with love and power where others fear to tread.  Knowing He is the author AND the finisher of my faith, I am confident that I am in for a wild ride!
 
I hope you will join me on this next leg (no pun intended) of my journey with Christ and what He might have in store for me and through me?!  I promised you a story of a miracle last week, but you may have to wait until post-op and the anesthesia wears off.  I hope to be back to writing next week because I certainly won't be going anywhere.
 
Meanwhile I invite you to read, re-read, and hopefully share this previous post of mine.  Though my pain may be great, the pain Christ endured for me was a million times greater and He wants to take the Good News of Salvation, for which He gave His life, into all the corners of the world.  Will you help and serve Him?
 
 
Dear Heavenly Father,  I thank you and I praise you that you love me so much that you gave up your son for me.  The thought of sacrificially giving up one of my own precious children for callous sinners is beyond my comprehension.  Enable me to begin to grasp the depth of your love and to be willing to go to great lengths...to sacrificial lengths to pass your love on to others.  Shelter me in the refuge of your wings and continue to grow and perfect my faith until that wonderful day when Jesus comes again.  In the precious name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.
 
Be blessed...
 
 
ps. For those of you who live close by to me...I would love visitors...the first 3 weeks it's hard to go much of anywhere because I can't put any weight at all on the knee/leg that was operated on.
 
 
 

22 comments:

  1. Bev,
    I'm praying for your recovery and that this next stage of your journey reveals more of God's plans for you. Hope you are up and around soon, friend!

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    1. Valerie,
      Thank you so much for your prayers...they are truly appreciated!! I, too, am anxious to see how God is going to weave this trial into the tapestry of my life...our God is able!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  2. Praying for you as you undergo this surgery. Asking God to guide the doctors and mend what is broken!

    Also, excited to hear that God is taking you on a new adventure. I was listening to Steven Curtis Chapman sing yesterday about the "Glorious Adventure." Life sure is one, isn't it!

    Hope you have a blessed day.
    Came over on Dance with Jesus today.
    Melanie

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    1. Melanie,
      Thank you so much for your prayers. I came through the surgery well....and now comes the road of recuperation/rehab. I love that song by Steven Curtis Chapman, and yes, life is sure one glorious adventure! So glad you stopped by!!
      Blessings,
      Bev :)

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  3. Hello Bev,
    I absolutely love this post and I can definitely relate. God revealed so much to me in the hospital while recovering from a stroke a few years back. Now I seek Him daily for revelations and I want to share them with others. I pray that your surgery goes well and you have a quick and painless recovery. I know they are necessary but not the biggest fan of being in hospital;) I am so glad I found your site via dancing with Jesus link up. Your writing has definitely been a blessing and I'm excited to see what God reveals to you during this time. May He richly bless you and yours!

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  4. Horace,
    Thank you so much for the encouragement!! Your comments are well timed, as I sit here with my leg propped up and recuperating. It is amazing how God can use seeming awful experiences in order to bring glory unto himself. Trying to wait patiently upon the Lord to see what He will do through me. So glad you stopped by...your are always welcome here!!
    Blessings,
    Bev

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  5. Blessings and grace on your recuperation, Bev. I've been off-line (traveling) a lot lately, so it's good to check in here and catch up with you. May the Lord continue to work out his purposes for you.

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    1. Hi Betsy,
      It's been good to see pictures of you in your travels. Hope you are enjoying getting away and being "off-line" for awhile. Always good to see your face and comments pop up! Thank you for your well wishes and blessings!
      Always,
      Bev

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  6. Bev, I trust your surgery went well and that you are on the road to recovery. I am praying, asking God to give you strength during this time of recovery.

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    1. Barbie,
      Thank you so much for your well wishes and prayers!! I am feeling God's strength as friends continue to lift me up!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  7. Hi Bev. Good morning. I'm the post right after you in the #RaRaLinkup so it's nice to be "sitting" next to you. I hope you are recuperating fast, but if not I hope you know that everything is in the Lord's timing and you sense this is his time of rest and preparation for the next step (apologies for the pun) of your journey. I am delighted to meet you and look forward to reading more.

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    1. Rachel,
      So good to be linked up next to you...it's always great to see and meet new faces. Love the pun, and yes, trying to remember that this is all in God's timing, not mine!!
      Welcome!
      Bev

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  8. You are the second person today that I have read that has talked about God completing a good work in us. These must be words that I need to hear today. Praying that recovery and healing are going well with your knee. Hang in there! Hugs friend!

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    1. Mary,
      Since I am often a remedial learner, I find that God has to bring the message several times in order for me to "get" the message. Glad He's using me to bring you some truth today!
      Blessings and thanks for the prayers,
      Bev xx

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  9. Trusting with you for skillful and effective surgery and then a peaceful and productive recovery. The Lord bless and keep you.

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    1. Michele,
      I so appreciate your blessings and prayers! Trying to work with God to make this a productive recovery...
      So great to have you stop by...
      Bev

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  10. Hi, Bev! I'm glad to hear your surgery went well. I'm praying for continued healing and patience for you. Your "Out of Order" analogy reminded me of stores I see with paper across the windows and a "Closed for Repairs" sign on the door. God is working in the background, unseen, preparing something wonderful for you in your time of recuperation.
    I'm visiting your blog via #TellHisStory.

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    1. Constance Ann,
      I often find that God has to shut me down in order to build me up. I know the Lord is behind the scenes working and I am waiting, expectantly, for what He is about to perform. Thanks for the prayers and well wishes!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  11. I am happy your surgery went well Bev. I pray the Lord strengthens you as you recover.
    God blessings

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    1. Thanks Ifeoma,
      I really appreciate your prayers for strength...I need them!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  12. Prayers for healing for you! May this time of recovery also be a time of renewal, rest, and direction.

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