** Due to the increasing severity of MY ILLNESS, it has become impossible for me to continue to post on a regular basis. Unfortunately, as much as I desperately long to, I am also unable to visit each of your blogs often or reciprocate all the loving, supportive comments many of you continue to leave - even though at times it may appear as though you've arrived at some long ago, forsaken blog! With that said, I really want you to know that I miss every single one of you and that I really am still here! I'm just too sick and too weak most days to be able to sit up long enough to create a brand new post...or even read one. However, I absolutely do receive AND read every new encouraging word you leave (and, often, the old ones, again and again!) and I cherish them now more than ever! I truly appreciate your love, support, and, most importantly, your precious time spent on your knees in prayer for my family and me. It ALL means the world to me and I am truly blessed to have friends like you!
~Hugs and Sister Love, Teresa

FYI: All comments come to my email, which I can easily read on my phone. I also enjoy Facebook on my phone because I can catch up on A LOT in a very short time there. Soooo, if you're on Facebook, come 'friend' me there! {{HUGS}} **

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY







Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3-4



Hope.

I have really clung to hope over the last 2 and 1/2 years. It is one of the main things that helps me get through each new day as I continue to battle this illness and the pain and suffering that goes along with it. The past couple of weeks have been especially difficult. Each time I develop another serious bacterial infection, the bug is a bit more complicated to diagnose, the pain is even worse than the time before, the hospital stay is a little longer and it all is getting harder and harder to bear!

I am just so tired and weary. But I know I must persevere. I must cling to the Lord and trust in Him because I know He DOES have an amazing plan for my life and the lives of my family who spend much of their time caring for me.

This is most definitely not the first difficult trial my husband and I have endured. We have suffered several significant blows over the nearly 20 years we have been married. Most couples, if faced with the things we have been through, would have probably divorced a LONG, LONG time ago. However, very early on in our marriage, D and I decided to put Christ in the center of our relationship. We made a conscious decision to allow the Lord to be our Guide, our Compass. We had some bumps and even a few very steep mountains to overcome in the beginning but each new trial has only served to make us much stronger, as individuals and as a couple.

I admit, it is hard to say that I 'rejoice' in my suffering. I think that would be the case for any human in the flesh. However, I know that my current situation, all of the pain and suffering of this illness, is definitely teaching me to be more dependent on the Lord. I know that along the way, God is molding me into the woman He wants me to be.

Here's another verse I like and it helps me, too.





Thanks for letting me share. Thanks, too, for your continued show of support, even when I'm not up to blogging. I am very blessed to have so many people out there rooting me on. Please keep those prayers and wonderful words of encouragement coming. They are such a sweet blessing to my soul.

{{HUGS}}

Teresa



The purpose of Word-Filled Wednesday is to share God's word (no famous quotes or other literature, only the beautiful Word of our Heavenly Father) through scripture and pictures. If you would like to participate in Word-Filled Wednesday, please join Penny over at her blog and link up.



15 comments:

Shelley said...

I'm so sorry that you are having to go through all this suffering. BIG {{hugs}} to you.

JudyH329 said...

We started studying the book of Daniel this past Sunday. If you've heard of Beth Moore, you know it will be a great study. Here is a 15 year old boy, from a royal line, smart intelligent, so much in his future, then in one swift blow, he is made a eunuch, told what he has to do, what he is to eat, that he must learn about Babylon's gods and serve a king that rules totally different from what he believes. While reading your post, I thought of Daniel. In a way, you're told what you have to do, what you have to eat in order to live with your illness. You've had to learn a whole new existence, and each day brings on new pain awareness. But just like Daniel, through your blog, you are able to reach a vast audience. You and your family's strength, your pulling toward God in the face of adversity. You are such an example to all of us. I don't think I could do what you do. I mean, me being in a carjacking turned my life upside down. All I can say is Bless you. May He reach down and touch you and heal you.

Anonymous said...

Happy Wednesday to you. I am so glad that you are back to blogging and I pray that you are much recovered. Your faith is so apparant and a blessing to all that visit your site!

Mindy~

Meg said...

So glad that you're home & sharing again. Praying for you!

Cathy said...

A sweet picture and encouraging verse ~ I'm sorry for your pain and illness. Praying for God's strength and healing touch ~ Blessings ~

Deborah said...

My prayers are with you. This was my first visit here today, I pray that you have comfort. The little verse at the end of your post was my grandmother's favorite verse. Thank you for sharing, you are a blessing.

Tammy said...

Still praying! I love that verse in Psalms...it is perfect.

Hope you are feeling better soon. I am thinking about you!

stacey said...

I love both verses you shared, very touching & powerful! I am new to your blog & I want you to know that I will be lifting you up in prayer tonight:) Thanks for sharing your amazing story of faith.

Naqvee said...

Hope ~ is the biggest drug! and you will soon come over this bad phase of your life, this is what I'm hoping for you!
We Muslims, always keep the flame of hope alive as "hopelessness is a sin, and hope is the greatest gift given by God to the mankind."

Dear friend. A better future and a good times are waiting for you!
Love and prayers.
Naqvee

christy rose said...

Great verses to share. You know it is so true that those bumps and mountains can either destroy you or end up being a tool that God uses to make you stronger. It all depends on where you keep your focus. With our eyes on Jesus as our hope no bump or mountain can get the best of us only empower us to be able to handle them all. I am so glad that you are up and sharing again. Hope you keep feeling better and better.

Trudie said...

Teresa, I read all your posts, but it is often difficult for me to find the time to comment, but please know that you are in my prayers every single day.

"May God bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

You are truly a special, strong, beautiful woman and I pray that you will find healing in Christ.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing WFW with us... the Scripture's you've shared are a blessing to many to keep on going. Lifting you up in prayers, HL

Marilyn (A Lot of Loves) said...

I know you are having a really rough time of it lately. I'm so sorry for that. I admire your faith and hope that mine could match yours under such stress. ((Hugs))

Lisa said...

I don't think anyone rejoices in their suffering. But, looking back you can see the growth and blessings.

Hang in there...

Angelia Sims said...

I know you are finishing the race and completing the task the Lord has set before you. You are a faithful servant with many heavenly rewards.

What inner strength and beauty in the Lord. It was a blessing to read this. Prayers your way. Thank you!

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