When I am disappointed by others...Pray!

In my quiet time with God I have been going through a book

"A Woman's Call to Prayer"

by Elizabeth George

and have been challenged in quite a few areas of my life.

 

Today I studied on 'being disappointed by others'.

 

As much as I know that it will happen...

it always hurts when it does happen.

My heart wants to close the door on that hurt,

and sometimes I do for a short period of time,

but I know the day will come when Jesus will ask

to journey with Him into that room of my heart,

and talk about the hurt and disappointment.

For the most part, I love people. 

but sometimes it hurts to love people.

it hurts to care, and it hurts to be rejected.

I know that I could shut off my emotions,

 and sometimes I do that, too,

for a short amount of time,

because it hurts too much to feel, to care,

to be rejected and disappointed.

I also know that if I shut off my emotions

for too long the devil will sow his seeds

of bitterness and it will result in me

becoming hardened emotionally towards others.

Sometimes when Jesus and I walk into that room

and we talk through the pain,

He points out a root of bitterness that is trying

to spring up and grow in my heart.
He knows that I don't want it there so He uproots it

and throws it out.  Uprooting can hurt, too,

but in that hurt He pours love and forgiveness.

 

 

Moses was disappointed with his brother, Aaron. 

While Moses was up in the mountain

 meeting with God and fasting,

Aaron led the children of Israel in making a golden calf to worship.

God was so angry with His people that He wanted to destroy them,

and Moses must have felt deep disappointment.

He had invested so many years and so much time

teaching them the ways of God,

and so quickly they turned to idol worship.

But what was Moses' response?

He "fell down before the Lord",

explaining "for I was afraid...so I prayed." 

(Deut. 9:18-20)

What did Moses pray?

'Oh, these people have committed a great sin...

yet now, if You will forgive their sin--

but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which

You have written."

(Ex. 32:31-32)

Moses was willing to offer up not only

fasting and prayers on behalf of the people,

but also his life rather than see them

rejected, disowned, and destroyed.

 

Job prayed for his friends

after they wrongfully charged him with sin. 

 After receiving much criticism from his close companions,

 he prayed for them.

He had just endured the loss of basically everything that he had-

family, health, and wealth,

and was suffering from terrible pain.

Yet he was patient and humble!

 

Samuel, the prophet, priest, and judge whom God had designated and established to lead His people was soundly rejected by the people of Israel.  Yet in spite of their many unkindnesses and their ingratitude, Samuel could still pray for them because of his unselfishness and forgiving spirit.

What was his response?

"God forbid that I should sin against the Lord

 in ceasing to pray for you."

 

Could...would... I have done what Moses did for his brother Aaron, who knew better than to sin in the way that he did?

And would I have been able to do for my "friends" what Job did for his, to pray for them... after they had disappointed him,

 turned on him, let him down,

and raked him over the coals in wrongful judgment?

 

It is important that I grasp the meaning, the honor, the privilege, the seriousness, the duty--and the difficulty-- of this marvelous call to pray for others when they fail.

 

I must forgive.

"If I regard iniquity in my heart,

the Lord will not hear."

I cannot carry a grudge toward a person, or allow bitterness or resentment to take root in my heart.  If I do, I forfeit the opportunity to minister to that person through prayer.

My natural response is to write off those I am disenchanted with-- to no longer have anything to do with them, to distant myself from them.  But God's Word has a word for me here...

I am to "forgive as I have been forgiven."

I am also to help them.

I must set aside my disappointment, forsake the lectures, forsake the judgment, forsake the shock, and go to work helping and praying for them, "taking heed lest I fall." 

Correction, instruction, restoration, and rebuking are also biblical and necessary, but first I am to pray and help.

"If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."  Gal. 6:1

 

I must check my prayer list:

Am I praying regularly? daily?

Prayer is the sacred act that keeps my heart pure and right,

guileless and humble, no matter what a person has done

 to harm or disappoint me.

 

I must check my heart:

If there anyone I am failing to forgive?

A forgiving heart is one that can pray for others.

And if I can't/won't forgive, consider this:

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

"Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

"Forgive us as we forgive others."

 

I must check my relationships:

God calls me to love others-- even my enemies.

                   LOVE your enemies,

                   DO GOOD to those who hate you,

                   BLESS those who curse you, and

                   PRAY FOR those who spitefully use you.

 

I must also remember:

that just as I have been disappointed in others,

I am sure I have disappointed others.

I must pray "Search me, O God, and know my heart....

see if there be any wicked way in me."

If you are reading this blog and have been

disappointed or wronged by me,

I beg you to forgive me.

 

Samuel, Moses, Job

Could I be added to such a list of pray-ers?

or forgive-ers?  of pure-hearted intercessors?

of helpers?

That's God's call to me and to you. 

We are to pray for others. 

 We are to pray for those we love...

and for those who don't love us.

We are to pray for those we appreciate...

and for those who have

disappointed us and failed in their love.

We are to pray for those who faithfully serve God...

and for those who have stumbled in their walk with Him.

We are to "bear one another's burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Gal. 6:2

 

What a high calling!

A Sudden Change of Plans

What a summer this has been...
one we will not quickly forget!

 

Our journey north began in July...

we traveled together with JR's parents, who like to spend several weeks

in Pennsylvania each summer.  We always enjoy traveling with them.

Derek and Erica drove the other vehicle as far as Virginia,

where Derek took another route.

We were informed that we were traveling within a mile

of his girlfriend Rebecca's family's campground

so we stopped and met her and her family.

They live in a beautiful area of Virginia

and we were so happy that it worked out to stop and meet her and her family.
Rebecca and her sisters came up to Ohio for the weekend
and we enjoyed getting to know her and look forward
to seeing her more in Florida
and in the future!

 

 

After visiting for about an hour and a half, we headed on to Ohio.

It took us three hours to find a hotel to stay at that night so by early morning

we were ready to stay anywhere!  We came to the conclusion that someone

in that area needs to go into the hotel business!

 

The BMA Convention

We thoroughly enjoyed out time at Convention.

It is always so much fun to reconnect with friends, to be encouraged,

to pray together, to share together... and to laugh together

and sometimes to cry together.

 

So many good messages to take in.

So timely for today.

 

Experiencing the power of God and the comfort of His Spirit

when you are to speak and have a mix of emotions:

considering it such an honor and privilege to share God's Word

and what's He's done for me personally,

knowing the capability of speaking my own words and not God's,

 feeling so unworthy to speak

before such an honorable group of women.

The night before I was to speak there was a battle took place.

Several dear ladies, not knowing the inward battle I was facing,

asked if they could gather around me and pray for me.

 

We are in a spiritual battle!

 

I pray that I can be that kind of sister to my sisters...

standing with them in their battle.

What would we do without each other?!

 

Family

We had our own personal apartment in Ohio...

it's my parents' apartment at my sisters' house.

It is empty while Dad and Mom are in Michigan

so it becomes 'ours' when we are in the area.

After Convention we enjoyed spending two days with family...

Erica and her cousins went kayaking one day while my sister and I

went shopping at the little Amish stores and thrift stores.

We also stocked up on homeschooling curriculum, etc.

While there, we spent a delightful evening getting to know

another young ladies' parents...

Dustin's friend, Sari

We enjoyed having her spend last weekend with us here in Florida

and look forward to seeing much more out of her, too!

 

On to Michigan

When we get a chance to go to northern Michigan, we go!

Several of my brothers are farmers and I have a husband

 who loves driving big farm equipment...

so what is work to some is therapy and relaxation to him.

 

While he spent his days in the fields,

we, ladies, painted and decorated at my brother Don's house.

 

One aunt and three cousins....how can it not be fun?!

 

Lest you fear that we just worked while in Michigan,

let me assure you otherwise!

 

We had some meals together, and meals are not complete without

games, jokes, stories, laughter, and good times!

 Precious Little Ruby, Joel's granddaughter

 The Cup Song

 While there, Erica celebrated her birthday.

One of her dreams was to ride horse!

 Kyle and fiance' Anna's house

 Jeepin' with Uncle Dave!

Need I say more?!

 

 She's a city-girl but she loves those country toys!

She was doted on and spoiled rotten by her uncles

and loved every minute of it!

 

Vacation was rapidly coming to an end...

a second coat of paint yet and some trim around the outside door

when suddenly, our plans were changed drastically!

 

I was standing on a 2-ft step ladder, only on the first step, reached way over

my head to finish a couple inches of trim that I could not reach

from the cement steps I was standing on.

Not realizing the ladder was not latched open...

it collapsed and down I went...hard...on cement... as Erica watched it all unfold!

I sat back up, held my arm close to my body and tried to collect my bearings!

 

JR came in from the field immediately when Erica called him,

my SIL  Michelle, who works in the medical field, and my mom came over

and all symptoms were pointing to a possible break.

 

The emergency room was 45 minutes away so JR and I headed that way.

Any bump or curve in the road brought pain!

Arriving at the ER in Grayling, we waited about 2 hrs before

having some xrays done.  Within a short time the medical assistant came into our room

and informed us that my shoulder was broken and they were suspicious of a second break!

Arg!  Not exactly what we were hoping to hear!

 

They ordered a CT scan and it confirmed a second break.

I had a compressed fracture and a ruptured ligament.

 

SURGERY.

TOMORROW.

No, please!

We are away from home.

We don't know these doctors.

Is this surgeon reliable?

Should we get a second opinion?

Can we wait for surgery until we get home?

PRAY!!

 

...and family and friends all over were praying.

There is power in prayer!

I felt those prayers.

 

The surgeon came in, sat on the bed, and answered as many of our questions

as he could.  No, it was not advisable to travel home because of the multiple breaks. 

If one of the pieces were to slip, it could pinch a nerve or an artery

and we would have to stop and have surgery in whatever city we were at.

The nurses all gave high recommendations for the surgeon but what

really helped make our decision was when JR talked to my SIL and she asked if we

happen to have Dr. Habib.  Yes, we have Dr. Habib.  Does she know him?

Not only did she know him, she recommended him,

and he had been the surgeon

for their family when a surgeon was needed.

 

<SO SURGERY WAS SCHEDULED>

 

They released us to go home for the night and return the next day for surgery.

Knowing that northern Michigan has a lot of deer out at night

who have a bad habit of running out in front of vehicles,

JR drove extra careful so as not to hit a deer and jar my arm at all.

As we were slowing down to enter a small, hick town;

a deer suddenly leaped in front of our car and in a split second,

the deer and car met each other!

We were at a loss for words as we stopped and JR got out to

evaluate the damage.

We were okay but the car and the deer suffered injuries!

It did jar my shoulder and it hurt for a bit

but within a short period of time it stopped hurting. 

Why would something like this happen

 on top of the trauma of a broken shoulder?

 

How comforting to know that our Father in Heaven

saw us traveling home that night,

He saw us enter that small, hick town,

He saw that deer,

He saw our crash,

He knew about my broken shoulder,

and it all passed through Him before it happened to us!

Knowing that and knowing how much my Father loves me,

 I can be okay with it!

 

We spent the night in my parent's apartment at my brother's house.

I slept on the couch, sitting up and pillows propped all around,

and my dear faithful husband

slept on a mattress right close by.

 

The next morning we stopped at the police station to report the deer accident

and then went back to the hospital for surgery.

 

Believe me, I was not without my moments of melt-downs!

 

Did the surgeon really have to tell us all the possible risks?

All the arteries that were running along side the incision?

A breathing tube?

Really?  I'd just as soon not know!

Fear sat on my bed, it whispered in my ear. 

I really tried not to listen but occasionally

it caught my attention.

But FAITH shooed it away.

My Father was present, too,

He saw, He knew, He cared

and guess what?!

As I was wheeled into surgery,

just before I went out into la-la land...

God gave me a visual picture of Jesus.

He was sitting on the end of my bed...

He went right into surgery with me!

Ha-ha!  Those doctors had no idea He was sneaking right into the operating room with me!

Actually, I think they did know. 

I think they, too, sensed the presence of Jesus!

 

The surgery lasted three hours.

The surgeon told JR he took extra time to make sure everything was done

as good as he could possibly do it.

 

Waking up.  PAIN.

Oh, how my arm hurt!

And my throat was so dry! 

They gave me meds which immediately eased the pain, 

ice chips felt so-o wonderful on my dry, dry throat. 

 

1 plate and 8 screws later,

and sporting a 6-inch incision....

 

That's my arm?

I still don't like to look at that,

while the boys think the metal is pretty cool!!

 

Our "vacation" was extended several days as the surgeon did not want me to travel

for five days.  I settled in on Mom's couch, began to figure out what all my left hand

can do, worked on accepting the things I couldn't do for myself,

had a couple "melt-downs" and nights when things seemed so overwhelming,

realized again that God's mercy and grace is new every morning,

felt so loved and cared for by my family.

 

 

 

Five days after surgery we packed up our luggage and prepared to head south.

First we had to stop in Grayling for a doctor's appointment

and receive permission to travel.

The medical assistant removed the large, thick bandage from my shoulder and arm,

looked at my incision, and declared that it was healing "insanely" well!!

Insanely?  No, it was a "God's touch" healing!

They left all bandages off and said I was free to travel directly home.

 

Traveling went very well with the assistance of plenty of pillows, some meds, stopping every

couple hours  to get out and stretch, etc.

The first night we stopped at my sister's house in Ohio and I slept in Mom's recliner.

Second night was at a hotel...no deal.  It didn't take long to discover that my

shoulder would not agree to me lying down in a bed. 

Lots of pillows, props, meds, and TV and the night passed pretty good.

Third night....Home, Sweet, Home!

The whole family all together again!

 

The first night was a "melt down" time after everyone went to bed.

So many things you want to do as a  wife and a mother,

and you can't! 

So many questions of trying to make sense of the "Why's".

But knowing confidently that tomorrow morning

when the sun came up God's mercy and grace would be there,

and I can testify that it was there every time!!

 

Soon it was on to finding an orthopedic doctor here,

more x-rays, more appointments,

and now on to physical therapy.

It's amazing how each doctor exclaims over the "insane" healing

and range of movement I have in my arm already.

They look at the records again to see how long since

I had surgery.

They are amazed at how well it is doing.

The physical therapist and the doctor both agree that it may not

require too much physical therapy and most of it

I should be able to do at home.

 

There's nothing "insane" about my arm...

but there is a lot "amazing" about it!

IT'S GOD!

and while His ways don't always make sense

to my ways....

I can confidently say that in ALL things

He is working for my good

and for His Glory!