Every Detail

"Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace."--2 Corinthians 4:15-16

This past week has been a week of details to say the least. Monday morning, August 4, Kurt's life (as well as ours) changed forever...and the details made it happen. Talented people blessed with innumerable skills from God worked miracle after miracle over the past few days. In less than 24 hours, Kurt went from walking into a pre-op prep room to being placed in a regular post-transplant room. In less than 2 1/2 hours, his liver was removed and a donor's liver replaced it and his life began again.

These details certainly worked to his advantage and to God's glory--there was certainly more and more people and definitely more and more praise!

There were times during Kurt's first hospital stay, as these verses state, that "looked like things were falling apart on us". We were completely unprepared for the seriousness and the speed at which the illness came upon him. We were told that extreme measures would need to be taken to save him. Our world was falling apart on us. Little did we know that God was indeed making a new life for him. He allowed a miracle--he was saved and regained his health stronger than it had been in a long time; it was just in time to receive the call for the liver transplant. 

I can guarantee you that "not a day goes by without his unfolding grace". We are blessed beyond belief; Kurt has been blessed with a second chance at life. He knows that his life reads as a testament to God's grace.

And, with God on our side, we'll never, ever give up. Thanks be to God.

Peace be with you.

Where Are We Without Hope?

"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


Earlier today I read a daily devotion that talked about hope. It took me back to when we first arrived in Indianapolis at University Hospital and I had a doctor ask me if I wanted them to do everything possible for Kurt. He tried to ask the question very delicately, and I could tell that he already knew the answer. My answer was, "Of course." Later he came back and spoke to me for awhile during the middle of the night while getting more signatures from me for blood transfusions. He talked about what all was being done. The word "hope" came up. I told him that hope and faith was all I had at that moment. He gently agreed that these were two important things to have indeed.

Now, as I watch Kurt prepare for the next phase of his life, I think about hope quite a lot. I find myself "hoping" that the call will come soon; I "hope" that he will stay well as he awaits the transplant. I know that, according to Jeremiah, that "hope and a future" is attainable for us all, no matter what the issue we confront. What I have also learned is that sometimes our narrow idea of "hope" is not nearly as expansive as God's. Jesus' "hope" for us in his death and resurrection emcompasses all of mankind. My daily affirmations of "hope" usually have pretty short measurement on the scale. Nevertheless, I know that God, through his beautiful Son, has given me and everyone else the opportunity to feel the refreshing feeling that hope can bring when we embrace it. 

I "hope" for all of you a blessed day...peace be with you.

Just the Right Words, Just When I Need Them

Philippians 4:6-7--"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 all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Since Kurt's discharge from the hospital, I know he is in the best place on earth he could be. How many people can move into a welcoming, loving home with a built-in critical care nurse? We are indeed blessed.

Still, especially the first night or two, I would lie awake at night listening to Kurt cough, or stir in his sleep, or wonder if the oxygen was working correctly and oxygen saturation was strong enough. I felt very helpless, even surrounded by help.

Ann loaned me a daily devotion book that I would read to Kurt many mornings while he was in the hospital; the morning after one of my more awake than asleep nights, I picked up the book and read the devotion for that day. The first line was , "Do not worry about tomorrow!" I was instantly calmed. As I read through the devotion, the words I have read time and again in the Bible came to me in comforting waves.

I know I'm not in charge of this part of Kurt's journey--I'm here to be Mom. God has blessed us beyond words  in allowing us brilliant doctors, nurses, facilities, and now a warm and loving temporary home. Tom is able to make trips up to see us; Kurt and I can communicate with family members freely on the phone. He is in an environment that encourages improving health.

So...whenever those little pangs of anxiousness come knocking (and they still do), I go to these beautiful verses at the top of this blog and I rest...and thank God.

Peace be with you.

With God, All Things are Possible

Matthew 19:26--"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)

Kurt and I were on our way home from one of our road trips to Indy this past week and were chit chatting about one thing then another. I told him about a post I saw on Facebook that had a drawing of a young man sitting on one end of a park bench and Jesus sitting on the other end. The young man was asking Jesus why he allowed there to be violence, disease, starvation, and all other horrid things on Earth. Jesus' reply was, "I was just about to ask you the same thing." We both said, "Ah."

Lots of truth in that simple reply. 

Think of all the times the brilliant minds on this Earth are not at work to find better ways to catch diseases earlier, but rather working diligently on new ways to destroy life. Great minds that could be working together for peaceful co-existence rather work against one another to be in power. People starve each day while bags of relief food sit on docks, rotting. Clearly, when we turn away from one another we have turned away from God.

But there are still many times...

when God's children do work together for the better. My sister-in-law is currently in Africa working side-by-side with others helping those who are faced with poor health care. Kurt, despite his current situation, is happily employed by a company that cares about him and lets him go to his various appointments. And Kurt, who could easily just sit and pity his situation, is volunteering some time as he can to his beloved WonderLab and making sure a young autistic boy he befriended is talked to most everyday via text and taken out for some yogurt and some Game World time when Kurt is in town. With God, these things are possible.

My mind and my senses have been heightened these past couple of weeks. Places we've never seen in hospitals are now a part of our everyday world. And, in all these places, I see that with God, all things are possible. It's humbling and it makes me, I hope, more kind and patient with others. I ask myself and I ask all of you to remember that with man alone, we must use the word impossible; with God, however, we need never use the word. Because, with God, all things are possible.

And Then God Gave Me Easter

Mark 16:4-6--"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. '"

This weekend has been kind of a rough one. A long-time friend was tragically killed in a fire in his home; his wife was injured and lost her home and the love of her life in a matter of minutes. Further, I'm concerned that through a number of medical missteps and negligence that someone very dear to me is more physically ill than necessary.

Yesterday, the weather was beautiful beyond belief, yet my heart was too heavy to truly acknowledge its beauty. I spent the afternoon Saturday out among the gardens, a favorite springtime activity that normally makes me smile just thinking about it. Nevertheless, my mind tended to stray away from the blooms and blossoms of the new season to the fading and wilting  shadows of frustration and sadness. I went to bed last night tired inside and out.

And then God gave me Easter. I woke up to another beautiful sky, just as I did yesterday morning...but this morning was different. Truly different.

I said the Lord's Prayer with gusto--Thy Will Be Done--and I could feel the strength  in those words that had been lacking the day before. My spirit lifted along with my soul. It truly is going to be alright. God is in charge; Christ is with me always. And He is with you as well. Hallelujah.

"And the arms that hold the universe are holding you tonight

So you can rest inside; it's gonna be alright.

And the voice that calms the raging sea is calling you His child

So be still and know He's in control,

He will never let you go."--Arms that Hold the Universe by 33 Miles

And a Child Shall Lead Them

We attend church on Saturday nights, so I'm normally sitting with a cup of coffee about the time the show CBS Sunday Morning come on...and I'm a huge fan. It's so nice to watch a show that's intelligent, informative, and good natured--a rarity these days.

A few weeks back, there was a really neat story about a young man who, along with too many other kids in our country, was without a dad due to war. His dad was killed when the little guy was only 5 weeks old. He has photos, stories, and memories.

And a legacy that he is fulfilling in a beautiful way.

The story goes that this little guy was all excited one day because as he and his family were walking into a restaurant to eat, he found a 20 dollar bill in the parking lot. Even in today's inflationary world, twenty dollars is, in a kid's world...a bunch.

What did he buy? 

A legacy. 

He thought about, like any of us, what that $20 would buy. But then he saw a serviceman in the restaurant and something wonderful in that little 8-year-old guy took over. He took a piece of paper, wrote a note to this servicemen giving him the $20 explaining to him that his dad was killed in Iraq and was in heaven. He also told the serviceman that his family believed in paying it forward, so he wanted him to have this money as a thank you for his service to the country. 

And forward it went. The story that was aired touched the hearts of so many people...kindness is indeed not dead--we recognize and embrace it. We just need to be reminded of it from time to time. Isaiah 11:6 says, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kids; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." 

Sometimes it takes the littlest of us to truly lead us back on the path of pure love for one another.

Peace be with you.

Practicing the Sabbath

Today I decided to actively and mindfully practice the Sabbath in regard to Exodus 20:8-9: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." I fully intended it to be a day of study and reflection, with little minimal labor.

And then the day actually began. My mom wasn't feeling too well, and I decided that going out to see her was more important than sitting and reading to myself. Besides, I figured some reflexology might help her body with healing. Bringing her some relief was important.

Next a lovely young lady that I share Reiki healing with that has a serious illness texted me and told me that she needed some Reiki and prayers sent to her--she wasn't feeling very well,either. I decided that doing this was important if it would give her comfort and relief.

Then another friend texted with a frustration that vexed her; I decided that looking up something online for her that might make her day a little brighter seemed the decent thing to do--I know if I were in her predicament, I'd appreciate the gesture.

And all that was before noon.

Then I thought about the New Testament and Mark 2:27: "And then he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'" By the time Jesus and his disciples were traveling about sharing the gospel, Jewish tradition had made it practically impossible to keep the Sabbath successfully. The Pharisees spotted Jesus and some of the disciples pulling some grain heads to eat as they walked by the fields. As a result, Jesus was approached and accused of being unlawful on the Sabbath. The verse above was his response. The Sabbath was indeed originally created for us to have a day of rest--a gift from God. Nevertheless, Christ pointed out that sometimes there is God's work to be done as well. 

I am grateful that I am at a time in my life where I can practice a bit of the Sabbath most every day in prayer and meditation. I am also grateful that God allows me to help others when needed...no matter what day of the week.

Peace be with you.