Good evening,
I come to you with a thankful heart as I type this. I have so very many blessings, and after reading a new incredible book- have a whole new outlook on what I consider to be a blessing. This last weekend I downloaded a kindle book by Merlin Carrothers titled from "Prison to Praise". I have had a strange fascination with prisons for quite some time, and my views of Christianity have most certainly been honed during the past couple of years. With this in mind I did an Amazon search with the key words of prison and Christianity and this was the result. After reading the incredible reviews, I couldn't help but be compelled to read it. Although I like to read, typically around this household to read even a short book in less than a week is indeed a challenge. BUT I read this book (short as it is), over the weekend! I simply could not "put it down"- per se. It has changed my views on what I should be PRAYING for AND what I should be PRAISING for. I had never thought of praising God for times of sadness and trouble, however through this book I have learned that yes indeed- I should praise God even in these dark times. For even in the darkest of hours, God is working in us and through us to teach us lessons that must be learned in order to become more Christlike. It reminds me of my thoughts last week, about Christ's suffering, and how we tend to complain about such minor inconveniences. If you have the resources I would encourage you to look for this book. Some of it is a little out of my usual "comfort zone"- i.e. speaking in tongues- but that's just me.
On more of a somber note, I do ask for prayers for others at this time-
-Two friends of mine from high school have a young daughter of 20 has been suffering from medical issues which have caused her pain, nausea, weakness and a whole plethora of other unpleasantries. How scary of a situation for her and her loved ones. I hope you will join me in praying for her healing, her comfort, and a speedy return to full health.
-A colleague has two friends who have recently lost their spouses. I pray for their comfort, strength, faith and understanding. Losing a spouse is such a traumatic experience. According to C.S. Lewis I believe, it is an amputation.
-A friend who I have never met, truly I feel like I have always known her; has been seriously ill. She has spent many days in and out of hospitals dealing with a terrible bout of anemia related to an antibiotic. This woman is an incredible mother as well, as she home schools and takes care of her teenage son who suffered a traumatic brain injury; and also cares for her brother who suffers from a form of early onset dementia. I pray that she finally begins to heal, that her weakness and pain subside, and that she can continue to be the incredible person to the rest of the world- that she has shown me that she truly is.
-Another friend who I have never met. Continues to suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, benign brain tumors, financial uncertainty, lack of medical care for her and her children, and the fear of being hurt by an ex-husband. She is working on starting a new life for her and her children in a new place. I pray she is able to sell her house soon, and they will all be able to move together to start anew.
-I give thanks and praise the Lord that my mother is feeling better. Profound grief from the loss of someone you have shared your life with for some 60+ years paired with a viral illness, has had a debilitating effect on my once vibrant and vivacious mother. She gratefully says she is feeling much better. I continue to contact her frequently for updates, as I have NEVER known her to not go to church on a regular basis, and be a prisoner in her own home.
I give thanks and praise for the profession to which I have been called. I so love being an Occupational Therapist, and looking deeply and purposefully into the true meaning and history of my profession's beautiful foundation. Knowing the original definition of Occupational Therapy permits me to look inside a patients soul and psyche to help them find their joy in life again. To help them truly find what gives them a feeling of purpose and meaning. To one patient it may be watching baseball, to another doing word puzzles, to yet another listening and reminiscing to music, while to another it may be reading their Bible everyday. I have researched the role of Occupational Therapy with spirituality, and yes- there are articles written about such a wonderfully profound subject. I love using my skills, resources, and knowledge to help my patients heal not only physically so their body can allow them to meet their daily needs; but to creatively adapt other important pursuits which fill their lives with meaning and purpose. And NO, I will not be getting patients using looms any time soon to weave rugs- although I do indeed see the benefit in that activity. But YES, I will be also addressing more of their emotional needs as I help them to return to a prior level of independence with ALL aspects of their daily life. For in order to truly "live" -we must master more meaningful tasks other than feeding, dressing, grooming, toileting, and bathing oneself.
So, OK- that may have been a little bit of a tangent- but I think it is important to tie all areas of ones being into looking to fulfill their higher purpose. I have submitted my soul and spirit to God so that he may use me to be a vessel of love and hope for his other children. If I am fortunate to do that not only by sending books and praying for those in need, but also helping them feel like their lives have a significant amount of purpose and meaning.
I lastly give thanks and praise, for a person that I sent a book to in order to comfort them at the time of their dear dogs passing. She has graciously forwarded the book on to one of her friends who has lost a dear four legged companion of many years. I LOVE the idea of the books that I send out, continuing their path of providing others with comfort, peace and hope. The more lives that can be positively touched and helped- the better!
Thank you for joining me on my quest. I will continue to do what I feel the Spirit has led me to do, and spread messages of hope, love, and faith to others in need.
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