Dreams ~ Part 1 ~The Sleeping Kind

        It all starts with a dream read a poster in the office of the salesman who helped us make one of their cars ours. Accompanying the caption? An awesome vehicle with its headlights staring at us.

        “‘It all starts with a dream.’ Scary,” I somewhat whispered to my husband but was overheard by the salesman, much to my chagrin. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t start with any of mine!”

        The salesman looked a bit puzzled.

        Brian laughed and addressed him. “Her dreams are totally whacky.”

        “Oooh, I have some of those too,” the salesman said, smiled, then continued with the stack of paperwork.

         I confess. I tend to have wild dreams. Some I remember to tell Brian in the morning (poor guy) and some disappear into thin air.

        But this brief exchange at the car dealership, in a twisted way, reminded me of a conversation with my sister a month earlier when we found ourselves talking about childhood memories.

        “I had a reoccurring dream when we were kids,” I said.

        “Oh? Tell me!” Carolyn urged.

        “I dreamed I was in a wheelchair, tried to stand to walk, and fell down. I had this one over and over. It was so real to me that I actually woke sometimes, thinking I was falling.”

        “I used to have one repeatedly also.” Then she shared hers with me.

        “Sometimes I wonder if God was preparing me in a way.”

        “For?”

       “For work with the disabled. When I was a camp counselor and then a houseparent to kids in wheelchairs, I remembered that dream. And, when one of the kids fell out of her wheelchair, it brought back some of what I’d sensed. In a way, it helped me be sensitive to her tears and maybe even her fear.”

        “Could be,” Carolyn said.

        Dreams. The ones that visit us over and over. Do they matter? Could they be from God? Do they redirect us?

        I don’t believe dreams are mystical, but I do think—as in the example above—some nudge us and may hold purpose.

        Another example: Occasionally I dream I’m spending time with my parents or best friend, all who are in Heaven now. I believe God helps me not miss them as much due to those “visits.” These also remind me sweetly of eternity with the Lord and those I love!

        Dreams may plant a sense of urgency—that I need to either pray for that person, write to him/her, or make a call.

        An extreme example of this: Decades ago, I dreamed one of our military sons was in danger. At that time, Michael was deployed in war. I remember shooting straight up in bed, waking Brian, and saying, “We need to pray for Michael!”

        Unbeknownst to us at that time, more than 500 miles away a girl who’d attended the same school as our sons woke abruptly, ran to her parents’ room, and cried, “Mom, we need to pray for Michael Hampshire!”

        And they did. (I learned this much later when the mother wrote a letter about the experience.)     

        When Michael returned home, he told us of an event that fell within the timeframe of those alert-awakenings—where his life along with others could’ve been snuffed out but wasn’t because of an “unplanned delay.”

        “I don’t know why we did it,” he shared, “but we stopped in the town to visit the director of sanitation. We only stopped for 5 minutes. While we were there, 5-minutes down the road an IED* was discovered and defused. We would’ve driven over it if we’d not made that stop.”

        I firmly believe the dreams both the girl and I experienced were God’s wake-up alarms! And how I thank God for doing that!

        In 2021, a lovely lady named Jane Marczewski appeared on America’s Got Talent (AGT). When the judges did their casual getting-to-know-you bit before her audition, they discovered this was no ordinary contestant standing before them.

        With a glowing smile Jane told the judges she’d sing an original piece, It’s OK. ( America's Got Talent - Nightbirde "It's OK" Golden Buzzer Performance ) When asked what birthed this song, she shared she had cancer that now returned a 3^rd time.

        Jane actually went by her stage name at the AGT audition, having had performance experience since her college days at Liberty University.

        Stage name? Nightbirde.

        When a fan asked how Jane came up with that, she shared—“Woke up in the night 3 times, dreaming of birds singing in the dark. The third time, I went to the window and they were there singing morning songs at 3am. I wanted to be one of them singing as if it was morning, though I couldn't see it yet.”

        Nightbirde, a girl who truly sang through her nights, won the golden buzzer when she performed on AGT, but withdrew from the finals when her cancer progressed.

        And when she feared she might not survive, Nightbirde (as she became known worldwide) recorded this:

        “I was looking for an answer that didn’t hurt. I don’t know where to start in understanding my life...And recently I’ve been thinking a lot about how when Jesus died, he asked why. ‘Why did You forsake me?’ But Jesus knew. He was there from the beginning. When it was all planned out. He was God Himself. He knew. But, um, pain that bad can make you forget.

        And so I’m out here. I keep writing in this stupid journal. “Why?”…it’s not like I don’t know the answer. It’s like I’m looking for an answer that doesn’t hurt. I’m trying to understand why all these things happen to me and why I’m here and why I’m not better…There’s lots of answers that fit. It is like life is hard and bad things happen and we have choices; or maybe, ya know, God is letting this story go out and heal people even though it’s hurting me. Maybe that’s the sacrifice I have to be willing to make…”**

        Nightbirde’s song in the dark ended when she went to Glory in 2022. Her reoccurring dream reflected the end of her life. But she no longer sings in the dark!

        When writing this blog post, I wondered what song to choose for our time together. Then The Holy City jumped into my thoughts. As I typed the words, I became curious what motivated Mr. Weatherly to write the lyrics. So, I did a little research and learned he had a reoccurring dream that led him to pen the words.***

        May this beautiful song touch you, give you hope and joy, and turn your heart Heavenward!

The Holy City

Bill & Gloria Gaither - The Holy City [Live] ft. Larry Ford

Last night I lay a sleeping, there came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing, and ever as they sang,
Methought the voice of angels from Heav’n in answer rang;
Methought the voice of angels from Heav’n in answer rang:

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest—Hosanna to your King!

 

And then methought my dream was changed, the streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad hosannas the little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery, the morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Hark! how the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest—Hosanna to your King.

And once again the scene was changed, new earth there seem’d to be,
I saw the Holy City beside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its streets, the gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter, and no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night, or sun to shine by day,
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away,
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Sing, for the night is o’er!
Hosanna in the highest—Hosanna for evermore!
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna for evermore!

 

(hymn The Holy City, by Frederick Edward Weatherly, 1892, public domain)

#dreams #purpose #IEDinwar #Nightbirde #FrederickEWeatherly #HolyCityNewJerusalem

    *improvised explosive device

  **a portion of a Nightbirde short / also from AGT video on YouTube

***Of course, the God-given dream was scribed by John—in the Bible Book of Revelation.

Photo Credit: poster—Walmart, son—family-owned, Nightbirde—reddit.com 

Do I Hear Wedding Music?

        “Is that wedding music I hear?” Could be! After all, many a bride chooses the month of June to tie the knot. It’s the most popular month for marriages for numerous reasons—some of those being tradition, better weather, longer daylight hours for celebrating, and availability of lots of flowers.

        I’ll skip the ancient Roman reasons for June marriages (weird and ungodly, to say the least), move up the continent, and jump ahead centuries.

        In medieval Europe, marriages took place after spring planting and before harvest to ensure families returned in time to bring in their yield. Also, around June was considered a good time to bathe (done very infrequently in that era) to assure the bride and groom smelled their best! Oh, and that’s where tradition of carrying fresh flowers and herbs originated—to assure a pleasant scent.

        Brian and I chose to marry in November, but I can assure you. We bathed (how frivolous of us—smile)…and not in June! Well, yes, we did bathe in June too, along with all the other months. (Or should I say, I assume my intended washed as I definitely didn’t witness that!)

        Fresh flowers were so costly in 1978 when these young missionaries planned their wedding, so my mother and I drove to a grocery store where we’d heard they sold lovely silks.

        Indeed, they did! I chose a mix for each handcrafted basket my bridesmaids would carry (made by a disabled friend), extra to make a halo for my junior bridesmaid (our niece), and enough for boutonnieres.

        Then Mom told me she’d heard about a bride who, instead of carrying a bouquet of flowers, held her Bible.

        I loved that idea and picked special silk flowers to place on top of my Bible—in the form of a corsage so I could wear that on my going-away dress following the wedding. I also sewed a silk cover with lace matching my wedding gown for a special wedding day Bible cover (which, along with the corsage, I treasure to this day).

        Our invitations were designed by us at Brian’s suggestion. He particularly liked a ceramic tile I’d made in a college art class. We transferred that simple design onto paper, created the message we wished to be our announcement, and took the master copy to a printer who worked his magic.

        One funny memory regarding those invitations: To totally copy the original design the paper needed to pass through the press 4 times. That would be super expensive, so we requested the printer run the main color—brown—on gold-tone parchment paper.

        Then we ventured over to an art superstore, found 3 permanent markers matching the tile colors, and purchased those. For the next month, every time we had free moments, Brian and I colored our invitations. (Yup, we really did.)

        Everything about our wedding was low budget. But, to be honest, I don’t think I would’ve wanted it any other way, even if we’d been blessed with funds to do more. All that didn’t really matter so much.

        What counted? This man and this woman pledged their abiding devotion to one another, along with other things—yes, including that I’d obey (smile)—from that day forward and forever more.

        Oh, about the obeying thing: (“Rabbit trail” here!)

        Recently, I went through all my files of everything I ever wrote since 6^th grade. Good grief! Some works were okay-ish, some laughable, and one especially grabbed my attention. The title? “What I’m Looking for in a Husband.”

        I won’t bore you with the 20 requirements I listed, but #8 cracked me up! “He needs to be able to keep me in line.” Um, okay, good goal, but no one had been able to do that up until then—but…

        Kudos, Brian Hampshire! You score the highest! (End of “rabbit trail!”)

        Now, wedding music: I always wanted a song Queen Elizabeth II had at her wedding—The Lord’s My Shepherd plus other musical pieces I’d loved over the years. Brian chose favorites of his (Gaither numbers) to be sung by special friends. 

        And, for our wedding march? Something a little different, but I love it to this day—Sheep May Safely Graze played by a flutist, accompanied on the organ.

Sheep May Safely Graze by Johann Sebastian Bach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BMCE7XJ2H8&list=RD0BMCE7XJ2H8&start_radio=1

        “Is that wedding music I hear?” Yes—at least it was ours!

        But I digress. We actually sang a couple duets at our reception, one of which was One & One Makes Two from Sesame Street. (We really did.)

One & One Makes Two

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Yc0RYDS7w&list=RDy5Yc0RYDS7w&start_radio=1  

 

        “Is that wedding music I hear?” Nope. Not even close. Forgive me for slipping that memory in. It was fun, though, and quite surprised our guests!

        We enjoyed our very us wedding. And that day began what’s now been decades together, serving the King of kings! A marriage that survived multiple no-matter-whats—those life things that happen and can tear marriages apart.

        By now we’ve seen our children marry and look forward to one of our grandchildren’s weddings in the not-to-distant future.

        But there’s another Wedding Day a-comin’! Preparations are being made, and the Lord of hosts has invited us to attend. It’s gonna be huge. The best ever!

        We’re going!  

        You’ve been invited too! Have you accepted God’s invitation? This wedding is for all who’ve accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord (the bride of Christ).

        Right now, we’re just waitin’ for the Groom to say, “Rise, My children—Come on in.” 

Wedding Music

Wedding Music by the Kingdom Heirs

 

        Yes, that’s wedding music we’ll hear! And it’s gonna be amazing!

#wedding #Junebride #groom #marriage #weddingmusic #Lord #marriagefeastoftheLamb

*lyrics in italics & quotes from Wedding Music, written by Cross & Talley, released 2005 

Photo Credit: wedding rings—camella.com.ph, sheet music—shutterstock.com, heavenly clouds—freepik.com

Storms Aren’t for Always

        As I write, thunder bellows, and a storm rolls closer!

        Everyone who lives here in “tornado alley” knows to beware of shelf clouds. If they send down “tentacles” that begin swirling and dropping toward earth, sirens blare and emergency broadcasters instruct listeners to take cover!

        Actually, this isn’t our first hefty storm experience. There’ve been many.

        The worst hailstorm in our recorded history happened last month. The racket those tennis- and baseball-size hailstones made hitting our roof terrified us. Even elderly folks who’ve always lived here said, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

        Thousands (no exaggeration) of car windshields were damaged! At the airport (about 30 miles from here) an estimated 1,500 cars were damaged. The wait to get those and our roofs repaired is estimated to take at least 2 months.

        The largest city to our west—Joplin, Missouri—just marked its 16^th anniversary of the horrific, killer tornado that destroyed so much of their city.

        I remember our first trip to Joplin after moving here. Brian and I drove along, and I commented, “Wow! What a nice city this is!” I pointed to the left. “Everything over there looks so new!”

        Then it struck me—Brian too. And we fell silent.

        Of course it was new. We couldn’t imagine the scope of damage that tornado left, but it was crystal clear how much ground it covered—not by the sight of destruction but by multitudes of new structures.

        Yet, this also showed Joplin’s resilience. To build again.

         Of course, the greatest loss in storms is human life. Our own pastor lost a brother in one. I can’t imagine.

         Storms come in many forms. Predicted or by surprise. Mediocre in strength or fierce. Causing inconvenient messes or total destruction.                                               

        There will always be storms. But a “good” thing about storms? They aren’t for always. And after many storms? You might just be surprised by rainbows painted in the sky!

        Rainbows assure us the storm has passed. Rainbows can restore hope. Rainbows mark the fact we’ve survived the storm. And they point us to our magnificent Creator Who, by painting the sky, reminds us He keeps His promises and cares. After all, He doesn’t just show up when the storm’s over. He’s been with us through them all—patiently “holding his brush and pallet of colors.”

        Life is filled with storms, and no one escapes them. That’s part of living in a fallen world. Okay. We don’t call those tornadoes, hail, flood, or anything like that. Instead, we call them broken relationships, death of a loved one, losing all one owns in a fire…and any other catastrophe that hits.

        Storms cause damage. They hurt. They also leave marks that they were there.

        But remember. Storms aren’t for always. There are rainbows too, helping us look forward. To regroup. To recover. To begin again if all vanished in the storm.

        This isn’t my idea. Let me walk back with you to one of the oldest accounts in the Bible.

        Job, a righteous man who loved Hashem (God) with all his heart and soul, faced tragedy after tragedy—one after the other.

        The enemy was sure Job would turn away from God after all he endured, but—as always—the devil was wrong.

        God knew otherwise and allowed the devil to bombard Job. You see, Job’s faith and love of his Redeemer was firm in the good times—so it would hold true no matter what, and God knew Job would pass the test even after being hit by “storms”—afflictions. And he also lost all his children in a literal storm! (If you’ve not read the account of Job, you might want to do that. It will help you face hardships you think you cannot possibly endure.)

        Oh, there was a conversation where Job lamented his suffering to God, but he never turned away from Hashem.

        And after Job’s “storms?” God restored all his losses x two! Job’s “rainbow life”*—after which he proclaimed, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.” –Job 1:21b

        Reader, if you’ve been through storms and are now on the rainbow side, you’re very much aware the memories of those storms—the damage and devastation you suffered—marked you, just like real storms. Severe ones do that. They change us, just like destructive weather alters our world.

        I hope and pray you’ll weather your storms, grasp the promised hope given by the Creator of rainbows, and know there’s always a way to begin again.

        You’ll always remember those storms but can also share with others how God brought you through them—because now you’re on the telling side because…

        …storms aren’t for always.

Till the Storm Passes By sung during a gathering at the Collingsworth home—

Thanksgiving 2024--"Til The Storm Passes By" (much larger group than first time)

(from the hymn, Till the Storm Passes By, by Mosie Lister, 1958)

        A day will arrive when there’ll be no more storms of any kind! And where will that happen? In Heaven. And when will it take place? When Jesus comes to take His children Home…

        …and Home is for always!

#storms #hail #tornado #flood #rainbows #neveralone #hope #promise #Job #Heaven

*a new beginning/starting again…“representing hope, healing, and joy after a period of grief and trauma.” –bing

Photo Credit: shelf cloud—iStock, balls & hail—from hometown citizen, posted on Facebook, rainbow—Pexels, Job—shutterstock.com. 

Dealing with Chronic Illness ~ Part 3: Help! I Need an Operating Manual!

        Let’s review a bit! We’ve talked about accepting chronic conditions while knowing all God ordains is good. Then we went over some coping skills. And let’s not forget how vital securing our eternal destination is!

        But there’s one thing I’ve not mentioned so far that’s absolutely necessary!

        What’s something every train has on board? A formal operating manual outlining rules, procedures, and safety standards train conductors/engineers must follow while on duty, assuring all passengers experience a good trip.

        I don’t have an operating manual, you might think. Help!

        But guess what!

        You, oh well-travelled passenger, have access to the greatest manual of all—written by God Himself! The Holy Bible.

        In the 66 Books forming the whole Book of books are answers for every question or need you’ll ever encounter in your entire life. Nothing is missing. Absolutely nothing.

        But I have a chronic condition. How can the Bible help me with that? There’s someone in there who “gets” what I’m going through?

        Yes, there is. You can read about Job (pronounced with a long “O” vowel sound) in the Bible Book named after him. (If you’re not familiar with the order of the 66 Books in the Bible, there’s an index in the front. Job is toward the middle of the Old Testament Books.) Job suffered multiple mega-problems, yet He never turned away from his faith in God.

        Are you wondering if the Lord understands your condition?

        He certainly does. You can start by reading about the suffering Messiah in Isaiah 53 (also in the Old Testament but later than Job). The Person being slain there is the prophesied Jesus. Yes, the Savior of the world understands what it’s like to suffer to the death.

        Perhaps you’re wanting several short portions of Scripture, possibly written on cards you can place by your bed, next to your favorite chair, or carry in your pocket as reminders. There are so many promises in The Word of God to help you.

        May I share a couple accounts with you where such made a difference in the life of our youngest son?

        Benjamin (Min) had just been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Gifts, cards, children’s drawings, and more poured in to cheer him as he began his difficult journey with chronic illness and chemotherapy.

        Some of those gifts standing out in my memory to this day:

~Colorful pictures drawn on paper plates by a pre-school class. Their teacher added Bible verses that matched each drawing.

~Another gift, beautifully created by a church women’s group? A quilted Scripture throw, covered with Bible promises. Our son expressed, “I love being covered up in these Bible verses. They help me.”

~And no-frills 8½ x 11 paper with Bible promises (computer-printed) that Benjamin could post on his hospital wall or wherever he chose. These were sent by a gentleman who shared he’d also gone through most difficult times and found great comfort in the particular verses he chose.

        Never underestimate what God’s Word can do for you—how It ministers to your soul, which will in and of itself help you, even in the most difficult of times.

        Can you write out verses on cards, save them in a file on your computer, ask someone else to write them out for you, or be the person who gives them as a gift to a suffering friend?

        There are literally thousands of Bible promises. I’m only going to share a handful with you today. For more—hey—you do the homework. Okay? 😉

         There are many versions of the Bible for you to choose from. Some are easier to understand than others. If you’ve been raised with KJV, you might want to stick with that. If you’ve had limited or no experience with The Holy Bible, you may want to consider NKJV, NASB, or ESV. Those initials might not be familiar to you, but they’re on the Bible bindings and sometimes on the front. (The way I’ve listed them go from more traditional language to easier-to-understand.)

        So, here are some verse references to get you started:

Psalm 54:4, Psalm 119:75-77, Psalm 121:1-5,

I Peter 5:7, Proverbs 3:5&6, Psalm 56:8,

Romans 8:28&29, Matthew 11:28-30,

Psalm 23:1&2, Psalm 61:2

 

        Above I’ve mentioned our son, Min, and his struggle with brain cancer. He also suffers from a genetic disease that made it hard for him to find an adoptive family. He tells about this in his memoir, A Home for Min Soo ~ Putting Together the Pieces of My Life.

        When Min celebrated his book launch, he came up with the idea to share cards expressing briefly how he wrestled. It was very moving then and still is. In honor of our son and his bravery in telling his story, I’m posting the video clip he shared at his book launch.

        In the background, you’ll hear I Need Thee Every Hour. And below the link you’ll find the words to that hymn. So poignant for all who suffer and recognize their need of the Savior’s help!

        How I thank God for giving Himself to us “hands on”—through His Word, The Bible. It is one very tangible way He speaks to us; and, oh, how He loves when we talk with Him—in prayer and even through the singing of songs centered on Him!

I Need Thee Every Hour

 

(as seen on our son’s YouTube page: Kim Min Soo, Author)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjCNhRRI93E

I need Thee ev'ry hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain: I need Thee, O I need Thee; ev'ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

I need Thee ev'ry hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow'r when Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

I need Thee ev'ry hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain. [Refrain]

I need Thee ev'ry hour, teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill. [Refrain]

I need Thee ev'ry hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son. [Refrain]

(from the hymn I Need Thee Every Hour by Annie S. Hawks & Robert Lowry, 1872, public domain)

#Bible #WordofGod #Bibleverses #promises #suffering #AHomeforMinSoo 

Video Instrumentalists: Brian & Sarah Hampshire

Photo Credit: train engineer~freepik.com, stacked Bibles~istockphotos.com, Min’s book cover~author owned 

Dealing with Chronic Illness ~ Part 2: Coping with Disease & Considering My Destination

 

      What God ordains is always good! If you’ve wrapped your mind and heart around this premise/promise, you’re on the right track to dealing with your chronic condition. You’ve got an engine pulling you and—most importantly—a Conductor Who knows what He’s doing.

        But you don’t understand, Sarah. God is able, but my body isn’t.

        That’s where this gets more complicated. Right? I tell the Lord, “I’ll do this for You today and with Your help accomplish it.” But is that so?

        Not always. There’s the desire and will, but physical limitations may throw a wrench in the works.

        What if, for example, your church needs VBS* helpers this summer, and, let’s say you have muscular dystrophy. You likely already feel derailed because it appears physical tasks needed for VBS week are beyond your limitations. What can you do?

        First and always first, go to God in prayer. Express to Him how hard this is because you want to help badly. Ask Him to comfort you then to point you in another direction. One of the most needful things for VBS is to be covered with prayer before, during, and after.

        What about greeting kids who come or helping with registrations if you’re still able to use your arms and hands? Putting snacks on trays? Counseling with youngsters who want to accept Jesus as Savior? Helping with follow-up communication (if your church does that)?

        These are some options, maybe small in your eyes…but remember! You can always pray! And that’s big!

        Maybe you’re someone without a chronic condition who can aid another with one—including them in creative ways that work for you both. This’ll take some thinking, more time, and even extra energy on your part, but it will make a difference for the person who suffers (and bless you in return).

        Another part of dealing with conditions that alter our abilities is not giving up but also recognizing what’s no longer possible. Sound conflicting? It can be. So, let’s look at this:

1)     The Little Engine that Tries ~ Even when given a death sentence, it’s worth trying to do whatever you’re able to handle. This’ll be easier in the beginning than later (when your mental “Try List” requires modifying as you digress).

2)     The Shabby Engine that Needs New Paint ~ Have you wondered if Jesus can heal you? Have you asked Him? Although Jesus doesn’t always choose this for us, He doesn’t mind us asking. Remember, all He does/His decisions have the same goal—to bring glory to The Father. God can use your situation to this end. Even if God allows your suffering to continue, your real healing might need be spiritual in nature. Your soul? Your acceptance? Your attitude perhaps?

3)     The Not-So-Little Engine that Can’t Quite ~ When you must modify, you’ll also need to grieve the little or not-so-little losses along the way. Then regroup. Next, find a new method that works for you. This is not failing. It’s being realistic.

4)     The Tired-out Engine that’s Kaput ~ If you can’t, you might need help from medical professionals (physical or occupational therapists, for example, to show you new methods or a social worker in a medical setting). When the time comes you cannot modify anymore, you will require additional help if you don’t already have that—like the train in Part 1 with additional engines in the middle to boost that long, heavy train.

        Remember ~ If what God ordains is good, then there’s a plan in it all. No mistakes. No miscalculations. No errors.

        And your suffering isn’t forever! Or is it?

        That depends on your destination. Where’s this “train” headed?

        A vital question—as important (or more so) than any other you’ll ask on your journey.

        We all face death, although those with chronic illness may be on a faster train to the cemetery, to put it bluntly. Well, not the real us—just the body. The soul (the real part) goes to either Heaven or Hell. And there’s a great divide between those tracks.

Heaven ~ where pain, suffering, and grief end. No diseases! Only peace and joy when joined with the Savior!

Hell ~ where pain, suffering, and grief not only don’t end but intensify! I’ve yet to hear a chronic sufferer say, “I hope my situation gets so much worse!” It can if you’re not prepared.

        The choice is yours. If you’re uncertain of your eternal destination, I invite you to view the page and/or video my husband put together. Salvation is explained here very clearly.

https://sarahbhampshire.blogspot.com/p/finding-hope-in-god.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cySjkork2iE

        Last week I learned the story behind the author of the hymn, Just As I Am. Charlotte Elliott—a very social, active, creative, lady and successful portrait painter! But in her early 30s life changed when she was struck by chronic, crippling fatigue coupled with intense pain. This vibrant life faced emptiness and depression.

        Although Charlotte grew up in a Christian/believing home, she hadn’t put her faith and trust in Jesus till after she became an invalid. At that time a reverend visited and asked her if she knew God’s peace. Charlotte didn’t answer then, but days later she told him she wanted her life cleansed. The reverend responded, “Come just as you are,” and Charlotte believed in Jesus as her Savior that day. 

        Although she prayed for years that God would remove her illness, she turned away bitterness when He allowed her suffering to continue. During this intense time, Charlotte journalled:

“…if sickness and sorrow are the instruments which He is pleased to select

for refining my dross, that I may come out as gold…seven times purified,

shall I not meekly lie passive in His hands, and have no will but His?”

        Charlotte came to Jesus just as she was—crippled, suffering, discouraged—and found hope and purpose. She then discovered ways to serve God. For her remaining years—even when bedridden, she composed hymns, poems, and letters to comfort fellow sufferers. Charlotte reminded her readers of our sovereign God, His goodness, and His help amidst what seemed the worst circumstances. All this when the task of simply holding a pen seemed impossible for her!

        I’d be amiss if I didn’t choose Just As I Am for this blog post’s hymn, so be blessed and also prayerful as you take in the words. And, if you’ve not yet come to the Savior, may God’s Holy Spirit speak to you through the listening.

        Remember, you can come just as you are.

Just As I Am

Just as I Am

(as sung by British Choirs during a Billy Graham Crusade invitation)

Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me,
and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(from the hymn Just As I Am by Charlotte Elliott, 1836, public domain)

#chronicillness #pain #suffering #Godordainsgood #destination #Heaven #CharlotteElliott #JustAsIAm

*Vacation Bible School

Disclaimer:

I’m not a counselor. Helps mentioned above are gleaned from my own personal experience & from others who’ve shared theirs.

 

Credits: photos ~ train tracks—stockfreeimage.com, Charlotte Elliott—hymnologyarchive.com

Charlotte Elliott: information from The Spurgeon Center for Biblical Teaching at Midwestern Seminary & Wikipedia