Me and Judy just this past week! This weeks musing was written by my Aunt Judy Ingle a couple of years ago. I have waited to post it for the right timing. Today, it just seems right! She has battled many illnesses, including breast cancer, and always bounces back. For that I am grateful! But this week has been a mix of emotion. Melissa, the long time friend of mine and Kathy, moved into her new residence on the first of this month...Heaven! Before I left for a little trip to visit Judy, I stopped by to visit Melissa hoping that I'd get to see her again upon my return. When I walked into her bedroom, I saw an empty chair by her bedside. It was that chair that family and friends sat to comfort her, pray with her, and to sing over her! When I saw that chair, my heart was touched and my memory of this blog came to mind. That chair was NOT empty! It was the place where the Holy Spirit sat to comfort Melissa, intercede for her, and sing over her! (2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Hebrews 7:25, Zephaniah 3:17). I'll never see an empty chair in the same way! Today, let me encourage you. If you are feeling alone, afraid, uncertain of the future, or simply weary of days gone by, put your trust in the ONE who cares for you affectionately! Cast your cares...all of them...on Him for He cares so much for you! (1 Peter 5:7 I like the Amplified Version for this verse!) You are never alone. He will comfort you, pray for you, and sing over you! May you be blessed and encouraged by Judy's blog today.
Sherry
Sherry
He was there in a lonely hospital room. The room was vast, empty, and cold. It was certainly not inviting, not even a bed to lessen the huge open space. I had never been in such a large vacant hospital room before. My bed was to fill the emptiness. I read once that emptiness is an invitation to evil and I wanted no part of that. As I was rolled into the room it was devoid of warmth; I was cold even with the warm blankets the staff so graciously had placed upon me. I studied the room... I noticed a single chair, and a double seater, which seemed odd, and a lot of medical paraphernalia on the wall. I felt so alone. Then, suddenly the stark white walls, well, they seemed to speak and my thoughts were of the spotless Lamb of God and the purity of Christ. He was there! I wasn't alone; He, my "Paraclete,” the one who walks beside me, never leaving me alone was with me. I remember my Pastor Bro. Jimmy Sasser, so long ago taught us about the ever abiding of the Holy Spirit: He, the Holy Spirit, being our "Paraclete." I am still thankful today for the anointed messages he brought and the wisdom he so lovingly shared. Thank you Bro. Jimmy! As I continued to look around I once again spotted the double seater. Two people would be sitting so close, side-by-side. It just seemed different in the room. I was lost in thought as I recalled the scripture saying that He would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). He is there all the time. Walking before me, walking along side me, and patiently awaiting my acknowledgement and praise.
The warming sun was now shinning through the large windows. The brightness brought about a sweet peace in me as I thought about the unknown and my inability to see the path I was about to travel. This was an unexpected trial but with an intended divine outcome. Trials do come in multiple colors but the Master Designer decides on the color scheme that will produce in us the image of Christ. 2nd Corinthians says: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." The scripture also tells us we go from "strength to strength." A. W. Tozer wrote that life in God's presence should be known to us in conscious experiment, it is a life to be enjoyed every moment of every day. I know He is the Light of the world and His light would be a comfort and a surety for me; He is always in control and there are no surprises to Him.
Within minutes my bed was situated and the room was filled with hospital workers all doing their necessary tasks to make sure I was taken care of and my needs met. I hadn’t known that my family was right behind the staff. How precious to know they were with me all the way, only I couldn't see them, reminding me of my "Paraclete" walking along side me without really seeing Him. I read once about a lady whose problems "crowded her to Christ;” I think I know how she must have felt. Quickly the room had gone from "nothingness" to a place of great care and love and warmth. As the staff continued their work, I gazed at the single chair and began thinking of how I am to rest in Him. Also, as I was surveying the room, there was one more seat I had noticed. It was the recliner that made a bed. This would be for my sweetheart, Jimmy. I had been drawn and kind-of in knots from fear when I entered the room, but God graciously began showing me how I can not only rest in Him but I can relax; I could lay down all cares and become free from all fear. Giving it all to Him I could now peacefully recline in His blessed peace. Soon this unfamiliar became familiar and the room took on a different feeling as each need was being taken care of, reminding me again just how my Savior supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). As I continued to look around, again my eyes were planted on the double seater. Was He giving me reassurance of His presence beside me? I believe He was.
| I saw through the window a part of the architecture back-dropped by a beautiful, cloudless blue sky. The boundary of the window made me pause and observe the sky's beauty. There was such a contrast through that large window. The building was of stone, of course very hard, cold and colorless. This view set in motion my thoughts of how hard life can be sometimes and how desperately everyone needs Christ to help through hard times and difficult trials. On the contrary, the tranquil and soft sky spoke to me of the forbearing and compassionate person of Jesus Christ. A hard world compared to a gentle Savior, with rough situations up against the goodness of God. |  |
I sensed that I needed to pause and listen to His still small voice. It is not always easy but it does allow opportunity to see His hand working while hearing his voice of comfort. Why do I allow busy days and mundane activities to dominate my life? Our days here on earth are so brief. Job's wisdom cautioned us that, "Our days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle (Job 7:6)." When we consider time and the abilities God has given us, we are faced with the urgency of time and how important our moments are and our need to be wise with each minute we live and are well. I cannot recall who said, "God antedates time and is wholly independent of it,” but it is so true. Every moment we have the responsibility to keep alive our spiritual thought process for our benefit as well as others and for the praise of Christ.
 May His peace be with you! And always listen for His voice at the most unusual times! He's trying to get your attention! |  This week I saw 4 rainbows side-by-side reminding me of God's good and precious promises! I couldn't get my camera out fast enough to catch all four. ~ Sherry |
Again, the depth of the azure blue sky seemed to offer a calm I could not explain but I perceived it was His Holy Spirit comforting me. Later, I recalled asking Melanie what she saw outside the window. She said there was nothing really to see but the side of the hospital building. Well, I had seen the beauty of God's sky as He was revealing His truth to me. He knew what I needed to see. I had found a solace in Him. It was then the nurse began to tell me that I was in one of the two largest rooms in that unit. That's why it was so large and overwhelming. I had quickly become aware that everything I was seeing was representing spiritual things; that has so amazed me. I entered this vast room and immediately began to sense things of the Lord. Through discernment I know He had gone before me preparing the way just as He always does. (Mark 1:2) It was so uncanny. I even mentioned to Sherry that I believe I had a blog in the making. I read once that, "A moment to write is a moment too short but not a moment to be wasted." So then and there I knew these thoughts were given to me and I wanted to share what God had done for me. I was completely surrounded by his love and comfort. I realize my time in the hospital was not as scary or serious as some others but I am thankful that He chose to speak to me in my weakness and comfort me with spiritual thoughts and insights. Precious and priceless are His blessings. I would never mislead anyone to think I am always where I should be in my Christian life, thoughts and otherwise, but I do know the scripture in Isaiah 30:21, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." For this I am also thankful. My prayer is that I will always open my ears and my heart to His promptings.
In His Love, Judy Ingle
In His Love, Judy Ingle
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