Monday, August 6, 2012

Multitude Monday: Wherever You Go, He is There


"Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid nor dismayed for the Lord is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

My migraine history has always been harder on my husband than on me. He doesn't understand why the Lord won't heal a busy mother's chronic head pain. I've mostly felt helpless about my husband's frustration with them, not wishing to be the cause of one of his burdens.

But they're getting worse, sometimes lasting 3 to 5 days, and the over-the-counter pain relievers aren't as effective. Despair does come to me at times now; I want to be free of medication and pain.

This morning, four days into a headache, I needed a verse I could clutch tightly to my heart. A verse that would strengthen and give hope. 

The Lord isn't providing physical healing, no. But I feel this: His presence. These life-giving words from Joshua couldn't be more perfect. The Lord is with me wherever I go. Even to the throbbing places

I can be strong and of good courage because I am not alone

Where do fear and dismay come from? From a lonely, powerless place

But we are never powerless or alone. There is always His presence, His Word

Powerlessness and loneliness? They are perceptions. Deceptions.

I won't fall. I won't go there.

I will give thanks for my companion, The God of The Universe. There's no greater gift than Him. 

A migraine suddenly seems...insignificant. And come to think of it, the throbbing is a bit less now, too.

Dear Lord, thank you for these gifts:

~ A husband who loves me and cares about my comfort.

~ A husband who prays for me.

~ Rain on the crops yesterday.

~ Paul's commitment to reading the Bible daily. Peter needs more reminders, but Paul is self-driven in this. Praise the Lord!

~ Just when I think I can't minister to Lexi, our troubled neighborhood friend, any longer, God provides rest. For several days she hasn't come. This has happened before when I've felt overwhelmed with her issues. Suddenly, she quit coming. When she showed up again, I was rested and ready to love on her again. God is amazing!

~ No-melt suet on the tree, ready for woodpeckers and nuthatches.

~ Delicious sweet corn from the farm down the street, as always. I don't know how they did it this year with drought conditions, but the corn is superb. The kernels aren't as plump, but the taste is the same.

~ My on-line friendships

~ Husband's incision looks very good. Fully healed; he want back to work today. Both jobs decided to pay him for his time off, just because he's such a good employee. He's very well liked in both places. Since he's part-time in both places, they didn't have to pay him. Thank you, Lord.

~ Yesterday when I was in the throes of migraine, Beth got very fussy. I asked Paul to bake cookies with her to help distract her, and it worked like a charm.  

What are you thankful for today?

Linking with Ann this week.

photo credit

7 comments:

TerraD said...

I have a neighborhood child that has been wearing on me lately, and thankfully, he took about a week off from visiting, too.
So glad to hear about your husband's recovery and jobs. Such a blessing for your family!

Christine said...

Hello Terra. Thank you for saying hello today!

Unknown said...

Oh Christine I am sorry you have been in so much pain. Headaches make everything hard. I will be praying for relief for you! I am so glad to hear your hubby is doing well and loving you :) I have seen that same thing happen with draining people when I think I can not take any more the lord gives me a break and I am refreshed. Lovvvve fresh corn. So thankful for you also my friend.

Christine said...

Thankful for both of you, Tesha and Terra!

Alicia said...

So hard to thank Him from those places of pain - thanks for your beautiful example here. Praying for you as you praise still. I have a sister who has lived a lifetime with migraines and I, like your husband, have often felt frustrated that God doesn't just HEAL HER.. she's a mom, a pastor's wife, a woman with much to give... and yet His ways aren't ours. Sending you a hug from Iowa today.

Margie said...

Hugs to you Christine! I understand your migraine pain as you know I suffer with them myself. They can be so debilitating! Take care my friend and prayers headed your way!

Christine said...

Thank you, Alicia and Margie. The headache stopped mid-afternoon, thank God. I tried the supplement, Marge, but not effective yet. Not sure if this one is hormone-related or not.