TOPIC: MEDICAL CHALLENGES

Today's post deals with medical issues that we will all face at one time or another. Any kind of medical crisis or chronic condition creates stress and financial issues for the family.

Surgery of any kind requires a period of time off work to rest and recover. If you're the bread winner and the patient, short term disability pays peanuts compared to your regular weekly income!

If yours is a long term medical issue, the issue of "how to make it" constantly weighs on your mind!

So, add financial concerns to the already high stress level of illness and you have all the ingredients for anxiety and depression!

How do we effectively deal with medical conditions and their resulting financial issues without becoming a "basket case"?

Personal testimony time. Our daughter was diagnosed with chronic kidney problems when she was 14. Her kidneys couldn't drain due to kinks in the ureters at the base of the kidneys (UPJ Syndrome). Her first majory corrective surgery was done right away on the left. It was a long recovery (3 months) in the middle of the school year! We had to do homebound tutoring.

She did fine for a couple or three years, then it blocked with scar tissue! Another major surgery just like the first one was done. At this time the right side started draining slower. We were in a bind.

From that point on she had trouble. Three solid years' worth of trouble. Lots of general anesthesia procedures (stints, balloon, etc.) were done to try and get those ureters to open up.
We lost her health insurance since she was in college and had to quit nursing school (for the second time) due to lethargy, pain, and nausea associated with her condition.

COBRA was intituted at $350/mo, we took on her car payment, insurance, and student loan payment. If you were to tell us that our average income would span to cover all this plus mounding medical bills, I would have told you you're nuts!

God, in all of His infinite wisdom, literally stretched our resources. I look back on all we've had to put out, and wonder at times, "Where did it come from?" I know where it came from! The grace of God...

You see, our daughter, in the midst of all these scary medical issues never lost her faith and her trust! She remained positive, and endured everything with such victory and belief, knowing God was right there with her. She planned life as if nothing were wrong! She wanted to proceed full speed ahead like any 22 year old person should be able to do! She never gave up...and she never gave up on God.

Today she has her bounce back! She's teaching Kindergarten at our local Christian school, has her own insurance (that miraculously had no pre-existing clause), and is loving every minute with those kids. To top it off, she's even back in college! She's done a complete turn around that no one can explain. We can. She's our miracle! A testimony every day....

Do miracles happen every time? No. Do some progressively worsen and never recover? Yes. We do not take a day for granted. We relish every good day we get and thank Him for it. We know it's a gift.

Were we ready to accept the fact that maybe she would never regain her quality of life? No, you're never "ready" to do that, but we were to the point of having to quit desperately searching and accept this may be the best we can do. But God surprised us. It wasn't the best He could do! And now we have hope that her future will be much brighter than we thought six months ago!

We prayed. A lot. And others prayed. A lot.

I believe in the power of prayer! Can God heal your illness? Yes. Does He always? No. I believe that if God had chosen not to heal her, He had a plan and a reason. One that would glorify Him in the end. Kingdom work. A plan we may not see clearly now, but eventually one day we would come to understand...that's trust. Faith. Belief. That God is who He says He is. And will do what He says He will do.

Would we have grieved? Sure! Having trust and faith doesn't mean you don't have emotions! But it does mean you aren't completely broken. Bent, but not broken....

2 Corinthians 4:

8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." NIV

If you are in the middle of medical crisis, hold on. God holds you in the palm of His hand! Pray! Through His grace you will not be overcome. He will supply all your needs. He will comfort you in your challenges. He will give you strength to endure. He will hear your prayers. Every one.

Pray for His will to be done. And trust that He knows what He's doing, however it turns out!

And remember, "what is unseen is eternal". If things don't turn out the way you hoped, trust He had a "Kingdom plan" at work....

Lucy

P.S. See my article on osteoarthritis of the knees at the following link:

Diagnosing'>http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/69790/diagnosing_and_treating_osteoarthritis.html

TOPIC: ABUSE

Abuse of any kind has lasting results. It takes a lot of effort to reverse the issues that can occur in what I call the "aftermath". In my opinion, it is "by His stripes we are healed"....true healing is found through a deeper walk with Christ, allowing Him to infiltrate every crevice of our minds and hearts.
This topic is a sensitive one for many people. It brings up old thoughts, old feelings, old hurts. Hurts that need to be healed by the Master's touch....we'll start with the following article I wrote....

RIVER ROCK OR GEM STONES?

Several years ago we took a vacation to the western region of North Carolina. Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway was our main activity during those peaceful, relaxing days. Even our young children enjoyed the slow pace and quiet sounds of nature at its best.
Slowly meandering around mountains and deep valleys, we came upon the little mining community of Little Switzerland and we decided to stop and explore. The mines produced quartz and gemstones of all kinds, and we were able to tour one that was no longer in use.
At the mine entrance we could purchase buckets full of gemstone ore to sift through the flumes of water. We never knew what we’d end up with, sometimes the “mother load”, sometimes just little fragmented pieces! Some buckets were all one specific ore, others a mixed variety of gemstones.
Being new at this, we had to have help. We didn’t know what we were looking for! Some gemstones were obvious, like the topaz and amethyst. They looked just like they do in jewelry….purple or yellow, and very shiny like glass. Others we were told look like river rocks and we would be tempted to throw them aside because they weren’t as pretty. We soon learned what to look for and enjoyed our “treasure hunt”!
After several attempts, we had a wonderful assortment of gemstones to bring home…rubies, emeralds, lots of amethyst and sapphires. The sapphires looked like the river rock, as did the rubies. But, when looking closer at them, you could tell a distinct difference. The workers said you could place the sapphires on top of a flashlight and their true color would shine through the rock….and so it was! Sapphires come in many different colors.
They even had a rock cutter and jewelry maker there on the grounds. We decided to save that expense for another trip, and we now have all our precious gemstones in a jar on our mantle. When the time is right, we’ll turn them into some beautiful jewelry.
I couldn’t help but relate this to our own lives and the way God works. So many times we survivors tend to see ourselves as those “river rocks”, and not worth keeping. Bad things happened to us, and for some reason we personalize these events into thinking that we are now bad.
Even when we can’t see it ourselves, God sees the true value of who we are and what we are made of. He sees beyond the surface to the core where all that beautiful color is just hidden behind the scars of our abuse. He sees our potential. He sees us as gemstones.
And some glorious day He will make “beautiful jewelry” out of our rough rocks. He will cut away all the hurt and polish our lives with His love and grace. And then we will surely shine! We are a prized possession…His child. He is like that worker that went along behind us, picking up what we threw away. He will pick us up, even when we feel useless and unworthy of His grace.
And just like those sapphires on the flashlight we are nothing without God’s Light to shine upon our lives. It’s only when we are in His presence that we truly become those gemstones. His Light breaks through the barrier and shows us who and what we really are.
View your journey to freedom from abuse as a “treasure hunt”!
Day by day sift through the “ore” (issues from abuse) and discover more and more how God is creating a real “mother load” of joy and beauty in your life.
Don’t hold onto the thought that you are only a “river rock”…..take your hurts to the Creator and let Him show you just how beautiful you really are. He’s waiting to cut and polish that precious gemstone.
*The Bible speaks of gemstones in various ways. For example:
In the chapter of Exodus when God appeared to Moses commanding him to write the ten commandments it is said that the Lord appeared to be “standing on pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky.” Exodus 24:10 NIV
And in the chapter of Ezekial when God appeared to him, calling him to go to the Isrealites it is written that Ezekial saw God “on a great throne made of sapphire.” Ezekial 1:26 NIV
God’s Word clearly indicates the Lord’s majesty! Allow Him to become your skilled “Jeweler” and take those rough “rocks” (hurts) to Him today.

Lucy

The following poem is for you....click on "comments" if you need prayer in regards to this topic.

*Also see more on this topic in my website www.allgloryishis.com under "Hope for Healing."

JUST REST

“Lord, I don’t understand these things
That have fallen upon my life.
They hurt, Lord, and I cannot forget
The impact of these times of strife.

I know You’ve been there with me
Through each and every event.
Your presence, Lord, is very strong
And Your love is so evident.

But I cannot seem to rise above
The pain that I feel inside,
Even though I seek Your grace
And Your ways, Lord, the feelings I hide.

I know You are an awesome God
Whose compassion is continuously displayed,
But I want to cry out, I don’t understand!
Where were You when I was hurt this way?”

And then I hear Your tender voice
Respond through the Spirit’s call.
“I was with you, My precious child,
Through the pain, through it all.

I saw the things that were done to you
And My heart broke with every tear.
My hand was upon your broken heart
At that moment, and year after year.

It was Me who picked you up
After each painful attack.
I held you close to comfort you
And gave you strength to come back.

I lifted you out of the pit of despair
And I’ll not leave you to fall again.
I am the Way, and the Truth
And I will conquer the sins of men!

I will give you what you need
To live a joyous life with Me.
Peace, strength, wisdom and grace
Are yours when you bow your knee.

Come to Me, and give to Me
The things that burden your soul.
Let Me carry the shame and guilt
That has had such a strong hold.

Let Me give you a lighter load
Full of joy and laughter to know.
Serve Me and you will understand
How we can use those painful blows.

I never waste a hurt of yours
And will use each and every one.
For together we will have victory
Through Jesus, My only Son!

So when you feel overwhelmed
And cannot seem to go on,
Just rest in Me and you will see
The fight has already been won.

Rest, and rest assured
That I will never leave you.
You are My child and are loved…
My grace is sufficient for all you’ll do.

Through My Word, through prayer
You’ll overcome the things that bind.
You will reach a place of freedom
Within My plan we’ll not look behind…

But we’ll look ahead and beyond
As you rest beneath Love’s shade.
What was, is and will be in Me
Will be beautifully and wondrously made.

Hope is when you rest at My feet
Knowing I can take these cares.
Drop them, and go in peace
And make certain to leave them there.

You may not fully understand yet
But have trust that I see all.
I see the end when you cannot
And I’ll hear each time you call.”

Lucy Cain

TOPIC: A NATION AT WAR

As a mother of an Army Reserves son, this war on terror is one of my greatest challenges at present! If any of you have loved ones in the service, you know what I mean! If they haven't been called to serve yet, you hold your breath waiting for their tour of duty to work its way up "the list". In your heart, you know it's coming, you just don't know when...

Our son has been on "the list" twice now, but praise God, someone took a miraculous eraser and wiped his name off that unseen piece of paper!

When Michael decided to join in January 2005, he came to us at midnight and said he had to go. Said God was calling him and he simply could not sleep until he went. I cried as you would expect if you knew me, then thanked God for the fact that my son was that close to God to know his calling was from Him! He left in February for Fort Jackson, SC.

I want my son right in the center of God's will for his life.....even if the center of His will is in the middle of the war zone! There's no safer place for him to be than in the center of God's will. I would much rather see him go and be obedient to God, than stay and be disobedient to God!
Trust.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Do we trust God enough with our worries? Yes, I still hold my breath every time he goes to drill, wondering what "news" he will be given each month regarding a call up. Yes, I will probably cry whenever that day comes! But I do know one thing. My peace will come from God and I will entrust my precious boy's life in the hands of the great Care Giver. I will send boxes of cookies and kisses. I will mail cards and razers and deodorant. I will send phone cards and pictures. But most of all, when that day comes, I will pray. And ask for prayer.

Psalm 91. Look it up!

God is in the middle east just as much as He is here in hometown, USA. He will not leave our men and women alone over there! I have heard so many wonderful testimonies of soldiers being saved and baptized in the desert sands...God is moving among our troops in mighty ways. God bless our chaplains, for they have a load to carry. And God bless our Christian men and women in service, for they have a tremendous witness to share.
For those of you who have suffered the loss of a family member to this war, know they did not die in vain. Freedom is a precious gift, not to be taken lightly. It's something fragile we must handle with care. All the men/women who give the greatest sacrifice (in order for me to sit here and write this blog with complete freedom to do so) are held high on my honor list! Know I pray for you every day. God knows your heart. He knows your pain. He knows your needs.
I'd like to hear from you if you are dealing with this war on a personal level. We can pray with you, encourage you, and support you in your journey....

Below is a link to an article I wrote entitled, "Well Done"....I hope you will be blessed by it.

www.allgloryishis.com/Articles/welldone.html

Someone told me once that "nothing will happen to Michael until God is through with Him here on earth." Amen. God is in control.....of that we can rest assured!

See my additional patriotic postings at www.allgloryishis.com in the "Under God" section.
Lucy

TOPIC: GRIEF

"I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. " Psalm 89:2 NIV

This topic is posted to offer encouragement to those suffering grief over the loss of those they loved, either children or adults. When your loved one was a believer, there is hope in knowing they reside in Glory with the Savior! May you be blessed by what you read here....

When I am lonely and sad
And I fear my heart will break,
I lift my eyes toward the light,
To where my loved ones partake.

Placing my face upright
Where I can see the glorious sky,
I imagine the brilliant light
In which Heaven's angels fly.

Never any darkness,
Only joy that makes them smile,
Knowing the place in which they dwell
Helps me walk the journey’s mile.

Knowing they are safe and sound
In my Jesus’ mighty hand
Lets me rest (though I miss them so)
And gives me strength to stand.

The light that surrounds
The One who died for me,
Shines upon my dearest ones
Not for a day, for eternity!

I’ll draw from this light
That will brighten my day.
Even through the darkest moments
That may come my way.

So when my journey on earth
Makes me stumble and fall,
I need only to lift my eyes
And heed the Master's call.

For it’s there where my future lies
With the ones that I hold dear,
May His light shine forever more
On them in Heaven, and on me right here.
©Lucy Cain

LIFE AFTER LOSS
(When a Child Dies)

Psalm 39:7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." NIV

If you are reading this, chances are you have lost a child to one of several possible means
and are asking yourself, "How do I live a normal life after the loss of my child?"
Loss can occur from many avenues, such as homicide, illness, auto accident, freak
accident, overdose, suicide, miscarriage or stillbirth. No matter how it occurs, parents are
left stunned and disoriented! They "float" through life, wondering what to do, how to go
on, and how to function in daily living.
Depression, restlessness, apathy and withdrawal can occur, marriages can be at risk, and
many feel that life is just not the same, nor will it ever be the same again. Many even
consider suicide...

Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." NIV

Some parents have other children that also suffer the grief of losing a sibling. The parents
are so wrapped up in their own grief, that many times, the other siblings are not included
in their grief process. This can lead to the sibling's acting out, and creating behavioral
problems at home or at school because they don't know how to handle their own
emotions.
I have watched beloved family members struggle with this very issue. It is so hard to be
on the sideline watching them suffer. All I could do was love, hug, pray, and offer words
of encouragement and hope. Many times, that's all grieving families need.
As family members, we can't make them overcome. It has to come from within them, in
due time. All we can do is be there for them when they need to talk about their feelings
and the emotional roller coaster ride they are on.

Psalm 62:5 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." NIV

What are some things you as a grieving Christian parent can do to help you progress
in your healing journey?
*Establish a website in memory of the loved one and place it on search engines to draw
other grieving families to the site as a form of encouragement. Example:
http://www.hopefromheaven.com/ (The site we established in memory of our loved ones.)
*Attend Christian based, grief support group meetings and talk to other families going
through similar situations. It always helps to talk to other people who have traveled
the same road.
*Write....poetry, stories, feelings. Just WRITE! It is a method of releasing those pent up
feelings!
*Go to a Children's Hospital and volunteer. There are many hurting families that need a
hug from someone who's "been there". Someone who may not know Christ’s abundant
love and grace that you have drawn from.
*Strengthen your faith/belief system. Remember...God didn't "do this".....but He can USE
this! Call upon Him for the strength and peace that can only come from a closer
relationship with Him! This is your “crisis of belief”, your crossroads. Time to move
closer to Him.

Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." NIV

*Seek professional counseling, or pastoral counseling if you feel you are having suicidal
thoughts or can't get out of bed. It helps to talk things over with a trained professional.

Psalm 25:5 "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." NIV

*Read. There are many books and websites available that focus on loss and how to
recover and live life to the full again!
*Give yourself permission to enjoy doing things. Many parents feel guilt over laughing
and enjoying life after the loss of a child. It's OK! Do something fun. Laugh. Live. Love.
That doesn't mean you'll forget......you can live and remember at the same time.
*Take up a hobby. Exercise. Get a puppy!
*Hold memorials on each anniversary of your child's passing. Many Compassionate
Friends Support Group families release monarch butterflies on the anniversary date. Our
family has. It is an emotional symbol of "letting them go"....

The following resource links may help you in your journey to life and living again....my
prayers are with you as you seek purpose and joy. It will happen. Trust me on that
one....and some day you will be strong enough to offer hope and encouraging words to
others that are in the place where you are right now. In need of support, TLC, and the
peace that passes all understanding. Live in honor of the one you lost. That is your
greatest gift to them.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." NIV

http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/ (Look up topics on depression/grief/anger/loss)
http://www.growthtrac.com/ (Christian growth site, look up depression/grief)
http://moms.memorial-of-love.net/ (Website in memorial of children lost to homicide)
http://jhp.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/42/1/33 (Article on thriving after trauma)
http://www.compassionatefriends.org/ (grief self-help support group)
http://www.bereavedparentsusa.org/ (Support group for bereaved parents)
http://www.groww.com/ (Grief recovery online)
http://www.memory-of.com/ (online memorial page)
http://www.griefjournal.com/ (journaling grief process)
http://www.memorialbutterfly.com/ (Our family releases monarch butterflies every anniversary)
http://www.brokenheartslivinghope.homestead.com/ (Christian grief support for bereaved parents)

©Lucy A. Cain 9/06

All Glory Is His Writing Ministry

www.allgloryishis.com

www.hopefromheaven.com

Heaven’s Children

I cannot imagine Heaven’s realm
Without children to laugh and play,
Without their smiles and excitement…
To give such joy throughout the day.

I cannot imagine Heaven’s realm
Without babies to hug and to hold,
To smell and touch and gently rock..
To give such joy that goes untold.

I cannot imagine Heaven’s realm
Without these little ones so fair,
Without them to care for every day…
Without their sweet presence there.

I cannot imagine Heaven’s realm
Without playing in eternal Light,
Without chasing butterflies and such…
Without the babies to snuggle tight.

While we on earth may miss them now
We know they are giving joy above,
They provide an element to Heaven’s realm…
That of the sweetness in children’s love.

Babies require constant watch and care
And God just may assign to them
A special angel to sit and rock…
To sing and hold these in Heaven’s Den.

So take heart if you have lost a child
To earthly realms we now know,
For God has a plan for your little one…
A plan in Heaven where they will go.

They won’t be left to wander alone
Or be left to sit unloved,
For God in His fullness is powerful…
But He’s also a God of love!

“Let the children come to Me.”
Is what He said here on earth,
The Savior loves these little ones…
Ones He knew before their birth.

He’s loving them with perfect love
A love that will never fail,
They will never go a day untouched…
We can’t fathom what that entails.

With heavenly hosts to watch over them
And choirs of angels in constant praise,
Beautiful streets of gold to roam…
There’s peace and joy for all their days.

Rest assured for God is in charge
Of the tiny soul that left this earth!
He will have a reason for this life,
A higher calling for this precious birth.
©Lucy Cain 8/22/06

FLOOD ZONE!

"Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:5 NIV
It's ironic!As I sit here today and begin this blog for you about overcoming life's challenges, we discover 3-4 feet of water in our basement! We had torrential rains all night long, my husband was praising Jesus at a Promise Keeper's convention, and my son was out in the weather helping a friend whose car had broken down!
We didn't know it, but the sump pump was not plugged in. Now we have water in the furnace, the water heater, and the breaker box. We probably lost all of our winter clothes! So, I sit here in the dark with just the light of the computer screen illuminating my vision while I'm focusing on God's promises!
Ah, life challenges can hit when we least expect them to, can't they? It's how we respond to them that counts.
This blog is for anyone who is suffering the pain and anguish of life's most difficult moments. We have seen our share, and we will see more in days to come. As Jesus said, "In this world you WILL have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world!" John 16:33 NIV
God's Word is full of promise, of Truth, of hope, of encouragement. So that is what this blog will do. It will focus on God's Word! Focus on overcoming! Focus on freedom!Focus on joy found only in Him in the midst of trials!
Are you there? Are you in the middle of something difficult? Do you need a Word of encouragement? I hope you will find it here...
I will periodically focus on a different theme of overcoming. Feel free to comment! Feel free to ask questions! Feel free to seek hope here. We will post poetry, devotions, scripture and guest articles on each topic.
Welcome to Hope Seekers! May you find peace that passes all understanding. Even when you feel you are in the flood zones of life, hang on to God's Word. He'll never let you drown.....and He will illuminate your darkest moments!
Lucy
All Glory Is His Writing Ministry
www.allgloryishis.com
www.hopefromheaven.com