i woke up this morning feeling so helpless and sad because of leo's chronic pain ... the pain which takes small bites out of him daily ... and my sister maria's continued physical decline ... she is scheduled for kidney dialysis - but other health and home problems keep her from much needed & required doctors' appointments ...even when i wake in the night ... i pray for them both ... even as i pray, there is this lead weight in my chest and such a helplessness ... "what can "i" do, Lord?" ...
i want to do something, yet my doing is always thwarted ...
so i woke up feeling gloomy ... and told the Lord this ...
His Spirit within me said "saija - this is a NEW day ... a NEW morning ... take heart" ...
again, i realized that i don't need to carry the burdens of yesterday into today ... every day is NEW ... every day is a GIFT ... and every morning contains HOPE ...
i don't know what will happen THIS day ... i only KNOW the One who holds THIS day in His hand ... He is my Security ... He is my Hope ... He is my Redeemer ... He hears me in the night seasons ... and He knows leo and maria's pain - He knows and cares and IS in control ...
only Jesus can truly encourage the hearts of His redeemed ... so i write this little thought down, hoping it will encourage your heart this morning too ...
remember ... it is a NEW day ...
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
19 comments:
Saija...this is so hard to do I know but we have to cling to these verses when someone we love is so sick and there is really NOTHING that we can do except to pray for them. I know that chronic pain is awful as I have experienced some (compared to Leo..Nothing)!! But I know that it gets so hard each day to endure it!! Hang tight with Jesus our only HOPE.
Sandy
Saija - what a beautiful post. I'm so glad God gives us new days, and that He walks with us through each of them. I'll keep praying for Leo and Maria too.
Bless your heart. You know I understand that heaviness and feeling of helplessness. The only place to leave them is in the capable hands of the creator, sustainer, and keeper of all. Sending hugs your way.
I think...you're doing ALL you can do ... praying... Isn't that a tough thing to accept when we see the people we love (even ourselves) in such pain. Whether it's physical or emotional pain, we want to do more to help them or ourselves, but God tells us that the only thing "more" that we can do is to have faith that our prayers are heard. Pray; then believe and give it to Him, is what He's saying... Do you think?
That last line was supposed to say: What do you think?
Chronic pain is so unfair, I think that's the hardest part about it. I'm so sorry, for Leo and for you.
I'm glad the Lord was able to uplift you. (hugs)
Dear Saija,
you are going through some rough times, Leo, your sister and yourself.
I pray that the Lord ease your pains and be the shadow by your right hand.
Have a blessed Sunday.
1 Peter 5:7 (New International Version)
7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
FromFelisol
Sometimes it may be that the one watching helplessly by is in much harder-to-bear pain, than the sufferer. My heart goes out to you, dear Saija!! May you be comforted as you need comforting!! And those you love who suffer so. If we continue,even in suffering of all types, to love and glorify our FATHER, well, that is the best we can do...and you are doing it well! Prayers for you all!
Blessings, Elizabeth
Saija - stop by my blog to pick up an award!
We know His promises, they are in our hearts, even when we feel like we are helpless. He is a God who knows our thoughts - we don't even have to speak, how awesome is that? It is so customary to try to carry our burdens and solve problems on our own, but we must continue to give those burdens over to Him who will carry them for us and give us rest...even if we have to reminds ourselves over and over to do it! May He continue to give you rest and peace. ((hugs))
Sandy ... if i have any hope - i'm so glad that it is in JESUS ... the ONLY hope! amen ... and thank you for the encouragement!
mari ... what i love about new days is the possibilities they contain! for anything and everything! :o)
daisyd ... i felt your warmth & cheer ... thank you!
rita ... prayer is the power we can tap at all times and in all things ... i'm glad the Lord has given us PRAYER!
jj ... Jesus gives a song in the night seasons of life ... He keeps gently nudging me back to more prayer and time with Him ...
felisol ... God has indeed cheered my heart - that doesn't mean i don't feel sad, but that feeling will pass - as all transitory feelings do ... hopefully with my faith that much stronger! blessings on ya!
Elizabeth ... thank you for praying for us ... prayer is such a strong tool - if only i could remember that when i really get down! i think it would encourage me to spend more time on bended knee ...
mari ... it was sweet of you to think of me ... blessings on you...
pat ... and remind myself i do! it is all a growing in the Lord process, isn't it? thank you for the encouragement!
Saija, my prayers are with you and your husband and sister.
You ask what you can do, girl you are doing it. Prayer may seem so small, but it is the most powerful thing we can do!
God's Grace.
That is beautiful, dear Saija. Thank God for His precious Holy Spirit, speaking to you like that. Yes, God is our hope and the lifter of our heads. We need to leave our cares in His hands. Praying for your dear Leo and sister ~ Hugs to you
Dear Saija,
The reality you live with of dealing with Leo's chronic pain must be a very hard burden to bear. You very seldom post about your helplessness and sadness of dealing with this reality, but you are human and it is very understandable.
How wonderful that in spite of the lead weight in your chest, and your feeling of helplessness, you can go to the Lord in prayer.
What an encouraging answer to prayer you received! "you don't need to carry the burdens of yesterday into today...every day is NEW...every day is a GIFT...and every morning contains HOPE"
I am always amazed at how encouraging your posts are. I know that your writing style is unique and always gives the glory to God. To me this is emphasized not only by the words that you write, but also by your use of capital letters. They seem to be reserved only for God and His glory.
Anyway Saija, I give you a special hug.You have a lot to deal with and do so with grace and dignity.
My prayers continue for you and Leo as well as your sister Maria. May God's will be done.
Remember, every day is NEW, and for you today begins not only a new day but a new year. Happy Birthday to you!
Blessings to you.
Nellie
corry ... thank you ... yes, my prayer sometimes goes round and round, but i try to turn my worry (worry being sin) into prayer - so instead of wringing my hands - i continue praying ... what do those without faith do? i couldn't go a day without my Lord ...
cathy ... thank you for praying ... and thank you for encouraging me ...
nellie ... you made me tear up ... thank you for taking the time to visit and to lift me up ... i sometimes wonder why i continue to blog - because so much of what is inside me, i don't let out there (let out anywhere except prayer) ... then other times i know why i continue ... because there are those who "get it", who understand what i am trying to say with limited words ... may you be blessed this day, nellie ... as you have blessed me ...
I know what you feel. I have physical problems and people around me too. its hard, but we have to trust in the Lord.
"...this present suffering..." You are a blessing in all that you share...stay strong...the Lord answers in time.
I missed this post on the day you posted it... I wish I could have given you encouragement on that day... but I will now tell you again how often I think of you and Leo, and your sister Maria also...
I pray for your courage and for Leo to have some time free from the continual pain and discomfort... and for Maria to be able to endure or be healed of her kidney problems...
you are such a blessing to me!!
Mimi
I understand your need to able to d something. My husband is having very hard time with his studies and it's killing me that I can't help him. Today I realized that I need to stop focusing on myself and start simply praying for Juha. I know you have been doing that with Leo already for many years and this is deeper issue for you. I realized that my pity was self centered. May God help our spouses!
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