I have been praying for months asking for healing for some issues I have been having with my hip. Other people have been praying for me as well. They have laid hands on me and anointed me with oil. I waited. Nothing changed. Finally I saw a doctor, got a diagnosis, and started a treatment plan, which includes physical therapy. To be honest I was disappointed. I wanted to be healed. I didn't want 'treatment'. I wanted supernatural instant healing (instant gratification). I wanted it easy and quick and painless. I didn't want to work for it.
But, being the patient and gentle God that he is, He whispered to me a truth that I had never even considered before. Sometimes we have to work for our healing.
Now don't get me wrong. I am not saying we have to "earn" it. Jesus already paid the price. But sometimes we do have to work. You see, the problems I have been having with my hip are not a result of disease or any disorder. They are a result of my lack of physical activity. Over the years of inactivity most of the muscle groups in my body have become very tight and weak. This caused my tendons to have to work too hard and has caused severe inflammation in my hip area. Also, weakness in my core muscles has caused other muscle groups to become sore and tight and has affected my posture, causing pain.
What I wanted was instant relief. What God had in mind was something far better- a lifestyle change. Had I received instant healing, it would just be a matter of time before the problem occurs again or other issues come up. Rather, His plan includes forming a habit of stretching and strengthening to provide relief and healing.
God is still in the healing business. Sometimes it just doesn't look like what we wanted or expected.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
My Turn
So much has happened since I last posted. Carmen went to Africa and came home safely. This trip was quite a different trip from her last one. She experience some very grown up things including several funerals, having Malaria, and missing connecting flight and spending the night in a strange city alone. She came home changed, more mature, and totally in love with Africa. She now talks using terms like "when I live in Africa...." Christmas in Africa might be a real possibility.
As she shared her stories and photos from this trip something happened within me. I started processing her trip as though it were mine. I began experiencing similar emotions and dreams and even some first world guilt. I started recognizing the children she met and just somehow knew there personalities. I had to remind myself that I haven't yet met them. It was like I had been there. And through this the Lord called me to Malawi. It's my turn. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Ok. Deep Breath. Exhale.
So it looks like I am going to Africa. Me. Middle aged, introverted, out of shape, busy, stay at home mom of four. Me. And am super excited and scared to death all at the same time. Excited to see what the Lord plans to do and how He plans to use me and grow me. Scared to be so far from my babies and so far from life as I know it. Excited to hold the babies and meet the children who stole my daughter's heart. Scared to be so far out of my comfortable little bubble in which I spend most of my time.
Three times I was called to send forth my loved ones into the mission field. First my husband to Pakistan. Then two of my children to Africa. And two years later, my daughter back to Africa for a longer stay. Now it is my turn.
And so I am back to fundraising. (Didn't we just do this?) Except this time it is for me. To be totally honest the idea of fundraising again so soon had me in tears. It is just so exhausting and I hate asking for more money from my family and friends. I wish there was another way. I have some fundraising events in the works but location is always a question that is not easy to answer. For now, please consider a donation no matter how small. Every penny counts!
Donations can be made several ways.
1. ONLINE
Go to Circle of Hope International’s website at www.cohcommunity.org
Be sure to put a little note with my name in the section marked “Who should we notify of this gift”.
2. CHECK
Make all checks payable to “Circle of Hope International” It can be mailed to: Circle of Hope International P.O. Box 132 Wilmore, KY 40390 Or you can give it to me directly and I will send it in. If you mail it be sure to send a note with my name on a separate sheet of paper. Do not write my name on the memo line.
3. CASH
If it is easier for you, you can just give me a cash donation.
4. POCKET CHANGE
You can commit to donating all of your pocket change to me. A day’s worth, a week’s worth, six months worth. Up to you. Every penny counts. You don’t even have to sort and wrap it. My daughter loves to do that.
5. HERE
http://www.youcaring.com/mission-trip-fundraiser/every-penny-counts-michelle-s-mission-trip/245112
As she shared her stories and photos from this trip something happened within me. I started processing her trip as though it were mine. I began experiencing similar emotions and dreams and even some first world guilt. I started recognizing the children she met and just somehow knew there personalities. I had to remind myself that I haven't yet met them. It was like I had been there. And through this the Lord called me to Malawi. It's my turn. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Ok. Deep Breath. Exhale.
So it looks like I am going to Africa. Me. Middle aged, introverted, out of shape, busy, stay at home mom of four. Me. And am super excited and scared to death all at the same time. Excited to see what the Lord plans to do and how He plans to use me and grow me. Scared to be so far from my babies and so far from life as I know it. Excited to hold the babies and meet the children who stole my daughter's heart. Scared to be so far out of my comfortable little bubble in which I spend most of my time.
Three times I was called to send forth my loved ones into the mission field. First my husband to Pakistan. Then two of my children to Africa. And two years later, my daughter back to Africa for a longer stay. Now it is my turn.
And so I am back to fundraising. (Didn't we just do this?) Except this time it is for me. To be totally honest the idea of fundraising again so soon had me in tears. It is just so exhausting and I hate asking for more money from my family and friends. I wish there was another way. I have some fundraising events in the works but location is always a question that is not easy to answer. For now, please consider a donation no matter how small. Every penny counts!
Donations can be made several ways.
1. ONLINE
Go to Circle of Hope International’s website at www.cohcommunity.org
Be sure to put a little note with my name in the section marked “Who should we notify of this gift”.
2. CHECK
Make all checks payable to “Circle of Hope International” It can be mailed to: Circle of Hope International P.O. Box 132 Wilmore, KY 40390 Or you can give it to me directly and I will send it in. If you mail it be sure to send a note with my name on a separate sheet of paper. Do not write my name on the memo line.
3. CASH
If it is easier for you, you can just give me a cash donation.
4. POCKET CHANGE
You can commit to donating all of your pocket change to me. A day’s worth, a week’s worth, six months worth. Up to you. Every penny counts. You don’t even have to sort and wrap it. My daughter loves to do that.
5. HERE
http://www.youcaring.com/mission-trip-fundraiser/every-penny-counts-michelle-s-mission-trip/245112
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