"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34) Sometimes I think about the words spoken to me over 25 years ago. One of the medical specialists said that I’d be lucky to be able to work for 10 years. Even though it’s been some time now since I worked full-time, I did for more than 10 years and since then I’ve been blessed by jobs enabling me to work shorter hours, particularly over the last four years. So I reckon that specialist was wrong--or maybe he didn’t know how stubborn I’d be, or the desperation of wondering how I support myself if I don’t work, that’s driven me to keep on pushing through the difficulties and pain. Just … [Read more...]

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5) Perseverance--that word may trigger varying emotions, some being negative. When I think of perseverance, I think in terms of me persevering, not God. I get tired of persevering, even though I know His word says it is accomplishing a good work in me. Then I read a thought-provoking statement in one of my books. The author said that when we want to give up we need to persevere with God because God perseveres with us. How does God persevere with me? When I doubt Him over and over again, not learning my lessons from previous situations, He continues to show Himself faithful. He does not give up on me when I give up on Him. At times … [Read more...]

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:8) When my daughter was a little girl I told her: "No matter what you do I will never stop loving you." I take comfort in the fact that God's love far exceeds my own, my ability to love my child comes from God, for God is love. And no matter how much I love my child, God's love is infinitely greater than my love. We all fail each other and ourselves in numerous ways. Because we are weak and frail human beings, subject to human passions and faults, and living in bodies affected by sickness and disease, affected by human weakness, we fail to live up to God's standards, and sometimes leave each other … [Read more...]

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) My prognosis is poor. Still is no cure for my illness, multiple sclerosis. The only guarantee I have is that my disease will progress. Medication can slow the progression. Small comfort. Is there something to hold onto when the world offers little hope? Here’s an option. Look beyond this life to heaven. So the choices are: dwell on the current situation or consider glory in heaven. Painful life now or pain-free eternity. Hmmm. . . I’ll pick the eternal focus. But the daily problem remains. The pain is a loud shout. The promise of a renewed body is a faint whisper.The remedy? Drown out the … [Read more...]

"The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. . . He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord." (Psalm 113:4,9) Mother's Day. It's a mixed bag of emotions depending on your life experiences. Some people will think of their own mother and her precious role in their lives; others will grieve the mother that is no longer here on earth; and some of you will think of the mother you still have here on earth--but who never fulfilled the role of "mom" in the way you dreamed. Many women will get precious handmade gifts from their little ones; others will sit along and wait for a phone call from their adult child that never comes. And still, some women will grieve extra … [Read more...]