Unchanging Comfort

I was so encouraged this morning in my devotions as I read Isaiah 38.  King Hezekiah had been ruler over Judah for 14 years and he was the same age as I am now, 39, when he got deathly sick.  It was so bad that the prophet Isaiah came and told him that he better get his house in order because he was going to die.  Have you ever felt like you were dying?  Sometimes in the last few years as I have dealt with seizures and other health issues I have wondered if I was (although I don't think I was actually close to dying, I just knew something wasn't right).  It's not a fun feeling.  In fact, it's rather scary.  I can identify with Hezekiah's response.

When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you." Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

Isaiah 38:2-3

I love how God responded to Hezekiah's sorrow- it's such a comfort to know that God SEES ME!

"This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears."

Isaiah 38:5

Well, God added 15 years onto Hezekiah's life, and I can also identify with Hezekiah's thoughts concerning what he had been through.  My sickness the last few years has made me learn so much and deepened my relationship with God.

Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt.

Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health.

You restore my health and allow me to live!

Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven my sins.

Only the living can praise you as I do today.

Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.

Think of it- the LORD is ready to heal me!

I will sing his praises with instruments

every day of my life in the Temple of the LORD.

Isaiah 38:15-17,19-20.

It's amazing how something written almost 3,000 years ago is still so relevant and applicable to me today.  God never changes, and that is a comfort.

October Tea

Life is busy, and there is always so much to do.

But sometimes we just have to stop and take time for

those things that will make lasting memories and impressions

on our children, things like tea parties in the fall down by the bridge!

Miss E and I enjoyed our Honey Vanilla Chamomile tea as well as

our pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.  YUM!

I am joining

Friends Sharing Tea

Books I've loved this year

One Thousand Gifts... Yeah, this one's been around awhile but I read it again this year and got a lot out of it again.  It was interesting to see how it strikes me different now than it did 5 years ago.

Saving my Assassin... This is an autobiography of a lady who grew up in communist Romania and went on to become a defense attorney for believers.  It was hard to put down!  It challenged me to appreciate our freedoms more.

Hope Heals... An inspiring story of perseverance through hard medical challenges, very good.

Plain Faith... The true story of an Amish family who found freedom from the legalism of the Amish church when they accepted Christ.  It challenged me to think about how legalism is affecting my life as well.

She is Mine... The sad but true story of a little orphan girl in Vietnam who is miraculously saved from death multiple times and chosen to be the daughter of a missionary couple.  Eye opening.

The Heart of England... I got this book about England at the thrift store and really enjoyed it.  England is one of the places I would love to visit someday.

In a Sun-scorched Land... The true story of the years long journey to bring three children home from Haiti to be adopted by their new family.  Shows God's good work!

The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God... I liked this book because it shows how God uses imperfect people and how he can work in our lives to change us into who he wants us to be.

Falling Free... Just finished this new book and really appreciated her heart for hurting people.  If we would just love people like we should this old world would be a lot better place!

Father to the Fatherless... A great and inspiring story of how God used one poor little child to grow up and be a father to hundreds of street children in Kenya through orphanages that he started.  Amazing story!