Cleaning the Wounds

Recently, our Beagle named Peanut, was injured, leaving an open wound on her neck. We debated on whether or not to take her to the vet for stitches. I needed to get close to the wounded area and needless to say she wasn't too sure about me digging around there. Thankfully, she trusted me enough to allow herself to snuggle up to me and lay down beside me so that I could care for her wound.

To prevent infection, I needed to clean the area good. I am sure it was uncomfortable for her. I bet it even stung for several moments. Knowing her nervousness around the buzzers when I simply cut the boy's hair, I knew it would be too much for her to bear in her time of extreme stress therefore I elected to use the scissors. My hands are pretty steady. The use of scissors made it much more difficult for me as I had to be so careful around the wound.

Peanut laid there nervous but trusting. She attempted to get up and go a few times, but a word of encouragment and a rub of love and she settled back down in obedience and submission. I think she knew I was trying to help her and not hurt her. Snip by snip, I cleared the area of her wound. It went better than I expected in that she didn't resist, constantly putting up a fight with me, so the process went smoother for all of us. By this time, my brother in law had come to assist and was a wonderful help in comforting Peanut and praising me for my steady hands.

Do YOU have a wound that needs to be cleared and cleaned? Are you resting, trusting, submitting in obedience to the Master Hands which are steady and skilled to make you whole again? Or are you resisting and prolonging the process of healing?
You must remember who is calling you...it is The Great Physician and Healer. Can you stop squirming and resisting long enough for Him to cleanse your wound? Yes, it may sting but healing is coming. You MUST trust the process. He will NOT give you more than you can bear...He knows you! He knows your strength. He will meet you at the threshold of ENOUGH! Trust Him!

"And Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has healed you." And instantly the blind man could see! Then he followed Jesus down the road." Mark 10:52

Father God,
You see my wounds that need to be cleaned before infection sets in. Come quickly Lord and Heal me, Cleanse me from deep within. Remove from me all that hinders and wash me pure. Make me whole Father God. Cover me, seal me and protect me. Will you send encouragers to me that will steady me, encourage me, hold my hand when I am afraid? Holy Spirit, guide my heart and my thoughts through the process. Hold my mind and soul steady and strong. God I trust Your strong hands, so faithful and all-knowing.
Thank You in advance for Your provisions and protections from hinderances, especially keeping me from me, being my own worst obstacle. With the blood that Heals, I praise Your Good Name, Amen.

I've got it now!

We have all said this in our younger days...goes something like, "You never know what you've got until it's gone." I think there may have even been a song written about it, my trivia husband would know that answer.

Recently though, I believe the opposite to be true. I think I may have something until I actually have it and in comparison, I realize I really didn't have it before. For example, I thought I had joy, but then when God allowed difficult circumstances into my life, it was then that I discovered true joy that comes in all circumstances, even the most difficult ones. Same with peace and contentment. My spirit is generally peaceful and I would say I am a content person and yet through the difficult season, I had unrest, worry, anxiousness and wanted something else.

When hopelessness, fear and desperation entered into my life, it was then that I learned what it meant to have true peace that surpasses all understanding, and that joy was something steadfast despite any circumstance and that being content with the fact that God loves me and will never leave me or foraske me and nothing could mean more to me than my salvation. Nice clothes, nice house, grand vacations, perfect things...none of it mattered...I simply need God to be my Father, my Lord, my Redeemer and my Strength. Because I know that He is with me, I will not fear, worry, covet. He is all I need.

The gift of Sisterhood has also taken on new meaning. It wasn't until my friend was gone that I understood how special she was/is...no, God has blessed me here and now knowing the richness of a true Sisterly-Friendship. It is rare to find a true-love you just as you are-blessed friendship. They are like rare, precious jewels. I have had many friends throughout my life and would still count myself blessed to have many friends, but the number of real friends is quite less. When God intertwined our paths, I knew they were special, I didn't know why or how, but I trusted in my spirit for their spirit in our like-mindedness in the Lord. Because of these precious few, now I know what a true Sister-Friend is because I have some.

I pray God will continue to open my eyes and ears to the blessings He sends my way. That I will receive them in the moment given rather than in hindsight. For what I think I have, I may not until the authentic is present. May I not be cheated by something counterfiet but be assured with the authentic!


God, give me Your eyes to see the blessings and the perserverance not to settle for less than what You have planned for me. Help me to know if I am choosing foolishness or am being fooled by the evil one. It is my desire to know You more, to bring You glory and reflect Your light. Lord God, guide me in truth and give me wisdom to know Your best so I may honor You. Satisfy my soul. Quench my thirst for something else. You Jesus, are all I ever need and Your grace is abundantly more than I deserve. Forgive me for accepting less than. You are ALL I want. You are ALL I need. Praise Your beautiful and Holy Name alone, the One true God. amen!

Father

Often I hear people relate the The Lord to our Daddy here on earth, so loving and kind, protective and gentle, but you know what? That's not the case for everyone. In this day and age, I think it is rare to have such a godly father who can closely reflect the Love of Our Heavenly Father above. 
Isn't it nice to know that no matter what kind of Dad you had/have, despite how he treated you, even if he has disowned you...you DO HAVE, HAVE HAD and ALWAYS WILL HAVE a Father. Your Father in Heaven loves you soooooo much. He gave up His life for yours. He was beaten, ridiculed and laughed at for loving and protecting you. He has fought a huge fight over your soul and over your inheritance in Him. You child, we worth dying over. You were worth every bit of His time. By Him, you were "fearfully and wonderfully made!"

Even if you have been blessed with a loving, devoted, nurturing Dad, he cannot compare to your Heavenly Father.

Be encouraged that regardless of your realtionship with your Dad, be it good or bad, there is One Father who cherishes you, loves you, roots for you, cares for you, listens to you, who desires to provide and protect you every day, in every moment, in every situation.

HE will NEVER leave you or forsake you! You are NEVER alone!

AMEN!!!!!