Fingerprints of God

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, there has been a lot going on and I’ve not been quite sure what to say. I’ve not been well, health-wise. I hope and pray it’s not serious. It has been ongoing and I’ve been undergoing many tests, that’s part of the reason for my silence. Not quite sure what to say. I’ve been passing out, for some strange reason, when I eat or drink, occasionally and it was not known why. So I have been through batteries of tests that showed nothing. Yesterday, however, I underwent a test that actually yielded some results! Here is what they found, I have two glands that are sensitive and when stimulated by pressure, heat or cold they cause my heart rate and blood pressure to plummet and then I pass out. So I have answers.

I read a dear friend’s blog yesterday and it changed how I looked at this news. I would like to link to it and share from it. Here is the link http://ryancatanddogvaughn.blogspot.com/2011/06/perfect-masterpiece.html?spref=fb and here is the story that touched my heart.

“I heard the most wonderful example of God's love for us at a Bible Study a while back. The speaker was telling the story of her little boy creating things out of playdoh. She said he was working very hard on his creation and handed it to her when he was done. He said, "It's perfect." She was examining it and trying to think of positive things to say about the lump of different colors. "Oh, you are really creative." And, "Wow, this is something." The little boy could tell his mother wasn't very impressed and said to her, "Mommy. You know why this is so beautiful and perfect? It has my fingerprints all over it."”

So as I read this, tears welled up in my eyes and I began to see how these glands that I was viewing as terrible mistakes that were causing me such distress were actually the fingerprints of my Maker. I’m so thankful that after months of testing I have an answer of why it’s happening. I know that there is a reason my glands are so sensitive and although I don’t understand I know my Father does. He created me perfectly in His image. When He looks at me in my brokenness He sees His fingerprints all over and in me, covered by the Blood of His precious Son and that makes me perfect.

I’m choosing to be optimistic about this because I know that my God has a plan for me.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “ Jeremiah 29:11

Nancy Drew and the Case of the Grumpy Monkey

There are times I wish that being a mommy came with an instruction manual, but it doesn’t. I recall being told to look for the inevitable fever, look out for a cough and runny nose, red cheeks could be a sign that your little one is getting sick as well. But no one prepared me for Monkey. She is as different from any other child as night is from day I believe. Not that it’s a bad thing but she is different.

Last month I took her to the doctor with me because I had “razor blade throat” otherwise known as strep. She wanted a swab too because if mommy gets it then obviously Monkey needs it too! She had no outward signs other than being a little naughty. They prescribed me antibiotics because my ears and throat were obviously infected, they called later with a prescription for Monkey because she swabbed positive for strep too. Everyone was surprised!

Today I took her on a very important appointment to interview a possible new school placement. She really liked the school but when the time came to leave she turned into “Spaghetti Girl” and had to be dragged to the door. Ughhh. Then when we finally made it to the car she hit it with her fist and hurt her hand, cried the whole way home and whined when we got there. I’ve been very sick and so I asked her if she felt okay to which she answered “I go doctor?” Yes, I called and she’ll be going tomorrow.

I should have known this was brewing, I’ve been sick for over a week. I didn’t go to the doctor last week because we were so busy with practice for the Easter Drama/Musical and then the performances (which God placed His hand on me to be able to make it through) and I finally went Monday. I really should have made the appointment for both of us but she seemed fine. Of course, she typically winds up being asymptomatic with most illnesses.

And since she is asymptomatic with most illnesses I am learning to wear a new hat…Nancy Drew. But God is ever faithful. He never lets us down and will always give us the wisdom to see what we need to see if only we have the wisdom to ASK.

I frequently pray this verse; it was one of my Daddy’s favorites…

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

And then in Proverbs I found this gem, my “Nancy Drew” verse…

“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds;” Proverbs 27:23

I know, she isn’t a “herd” but she is my little sheep and she can’t tell me how she’s doing so I must observe her to be able to attend to her so I think it appliesJ.

Yes, I’m Naturally Blonde, Why?

Yes, I’m Naturally Blonde, Why?

I was driving in my car and thought I would practice my song for the Easter program since the actual program starts in exactly one week! I have been practicing, don’t misunderstand me, but I’ve been practicing with my iPod and that was at home so I grabbed the CD out of my purse and began listening, first track wasn’t my song so on to track two, this sounded like mine…

Just to fill you in on what’s been going on in our lives this week, well, it’s been a little bit more than hectic and this would be why no blog. I expect next week will be even more hectic with practice every night. I blame the chaos that is filling my days and evenings for what I’m about to tell you…

I began singing my song, I have a sore throat so it was a stretch but I only had a little trouble with the really high parts, however, by the end of the song my throat was SCREAMING! Oh my! I had swallowed razor blades! This is not good. I sucked on a cough drop, drank a sip of water and tried again, UH OH! I am losing my voice! I can’t sing it! I mean I can’t sing it at ALL! I start the track over, I try again, I can’t even start the beginning part which isn’t even a high part! I just sang that part a minute ago! What’s going on? I’m going to have to find someone else to fill in for me or they’ll have to cut the whole scene! I’m driving and these thoughts are racing through my brain, okay, not the end of the world, who else can sing this song, plenty of women, our choir is FULL of talent! About that time the song ends and the next track starts and I realize I was trying to sing the high track. The HIGH TRACK! I was so caught up with my sore throat and tight chest congestion I just assumed I was so ill I couldn’t sing anymore. I didn't realize the CD had the High, Medium and Low tracks. Yes, my hair is naturally blonde…

Anyway, I just thought this was too funny not to pass on because if you can’t laugh at yourself who can you laugh at! I love what the Bible says about laughter…

“A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 Amplified

 Hope you all have a blessed weekend!

No More Monkey Jumping on the Bed

After having my Monkey jumping on the bed, bouncing off the walls, and crawling all over me for almost two weeks she is heading back to school. For those who don’t know about our school situation I’ll just briefly say that it’s been difficult and when we heard that she would be returning we ALL rejoiced! Monkey included. So you can imagine the disappointment that we all have been experiencing as the day of return nears and she looks increasingly unwell.

Wednesday evening I went to Church and left Monkey in the very capable hands of my husband who watched her as she slept, yes, she went to bed at 5:30pm before I left! When I returned I went up to check on her and discovered she was not miraculously well; she was actually running an extremely high temperature. This was new. Having gone to bed at 5:30pm she was also ready to get out of bed at 10pm and watch a little bit of television. I really need to invest in a chair and a half! Having a child who is almost as big as me trying to snuggle up in my lap is a little difficult but can be done J

I sit and rock her as she snuggles in watching her favorite; “Tartoon Birds” for those of you who don’t know it these are the Penguins of Madagascar. She wants the volume down low and for me to sing to her. “Sing Mommy, please.” Who could say no to that?

And it reminds me of one of my favorite verses…

“The LORD your God in your midst,
      The Mighty One, will save;
      He will rejoice over you with gladness,
      He will quiet you with His love,
      He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

I can close my eyes as I rock Monkey and imagine my Heavenly Father rocking me in His loving arms, quietly singing over me just as I quietly sing over her and I am comforted knowing all is well in His very strong Hands……

Lab…

I don’t know a single person who enjoys being sick that said I’m no exception and I had a really yucky weekend.  But I’m thankful to be back to work today and that Monkey has a loving person who helps with her while I was down for the count.

While I was flat on my back for more than 3 days, I’ll spare you the gory details, I remembered something that God had laid on my heart last week the morning of the dreaded yuck…when you are feeling down the best thing to do is pray for others. I actually posted something about it on my FB status asking for people to give me prayer requests. God knew that stomach bug was about to hit and I would REALLY need to pray for others!

I didn’t make the correlation at first, as I lay in bed thinking perhaps I would die, (I always think I’m gonna die when my head hurts that bad, I can envision the stroke about to happen) but as I prayed for Him to spare me; people’s faces came to mind.

First was the young lady who I have been praying for to give her life to Jesus, she is a sweet young lady and I have a love for her that goes beyond anything I’ve felt for a total stranger, much less a total stranger with a language barrier... She does my nails and when I see her I feel the love of Jesus inside me so strongly it makes me weep at times. Jesus died for her and He loves her…so do I.

Then I began to recall the others who had replied to my status and inboxed me. As I began to lift them up I realized, my pain wasn’t as bad, I was still unable to stand without falling over but it was bearable. I still couldn’t think of food without being ill but it was manageable.

There was also a song in my head playing on a loop. “There’s a fourth man standing there in the fire, there’s a fourth man standing there in the fire, you’re not alone, you’re not alone…” Indeed, I was not alone. Jesus was with me all the time and so was my loving husband who held my head and told me I wasn’t going to die. He even went out and got me soup, medicine and bread for toast…That’s Love!

I just love it when God shows us something in His Word and then He gives us the opportunity to walk it out personally to see how faithful He is. I have a dear friend who said one day, like when a professor teaches a class and then we have lab. It’s like lab. We learn the material and then we have lab. “Lab” ~ the opportunities to live out what He taught us and grow closer to Jesus in the meantime.