Palms of My Hands

The holidays are both a time of great joy and family fun as well as deep
despair and hopelessness. This year was different for us because it was our
first Thanksgiving without my dad. The depth of the loss cannot be expressed
in words. But in the midst of great loss there was also enjoyment, games,
too much great food, and recreation (basketball and racquetball--I feel like
a truck ran over me!).

It has always been difficult for me to completely enjoy the festivities of
the holidays knowing that others are suffering. I was reminded this season
of a wife whose abusive husband tried to remove her and their child from
their home by selling it through a court ruling. A young man is trying to
put his life back together whose wife recently died of cancer. He was still
grieving for the loss of his mother, father, and grandmother who all died
closely together. A nineteen year old in the prime of his life is paralyzed
after an accident. This happened shortly after his sister was in a serious
accident. An elderly couple awakens to a smoke and flame filled house after
their chimney pipe ignites the rafters. They are a wonderful couple, without
insurance, and she has multiple sclerosis. A young mom experiences a
horrible headache and within a few days loses her ability to use her limbs
completely. The doctors are unsure of the diagnosis but say that it could be
one of the more serious central nervous system diseases. You would think I
was watching the six o'clock news but this short list was my personal
experience this week. I could insert the several men who lost their jobs
this week due to the poor economy but I think we have covered enough despair
and hopelessness.

Why? Has God forsaken us? No, not ever; and even if our culture turned from
their wicked ways, the painful experiences that my friends experienced above
would have still occurred. In this world we are going to experience
tribulation. This world is not our home, we are just passing through, and
the suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the
glory that shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8). It is easy to lose sight that
this life in our present distresses is very temporary. It is also easy to
lose sight that these sufferings are our preparation to be fit vessels for
our Master's use.

Are you suffering and feel as though God has forsaken you? The prophet
Isaiah writes, "The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." "Can a
woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the
son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I
have engraved you on the palms of my hands." What an incredible word
picture...what an incredible truth! But during the midst of our loneliness
and suffering, we often don't think that tomorrow will bring hope and
redemption; and that is because we seek for relief rather than redemption.
Jesus himself said he would never leave us nor forsake us. We are engraved
on the palms of his hand.

Do you find yourself in a lonely relationship where you long to find love
again? The Apostle Paul wrote, "I seek not yours, but you." So often we see
only what we aren't receiving. Paul's statement reveals the heart of his
ministry of self-sacrifice on behalf of others. He goes on to say, "I will
very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I live
you, the less I be loved." 2nd Cor 12

When I reflect upon Paul's words I am reminded of my calling--to live for
the benefit of others; to get my focus off myself...which is difficult to do
sometimes because of my self centered nature. Thankfully, God's Word puts
things in perspective--I am reminded of his promises and his plan. We have
been bought with a price...we are to now take up our cross and follow him;
and though a cross leads to crucifixion, the glory that will follow cannot
be compared.

Good verse for the day: Job 23:10 ---"HE knows the way I take ---when He has tried me I will come forth as gold”!!!!! Amen

(the picture of the turkeys was just before Thanksgiving. They were walking
through my backyard. It was a perfect shot--with my cell phone camera!)