Skip to main content

Thankful Thursday ~ Love


I was inspired when I read Debbie’s Thanksgiving Thursday post this morning at Heart Choices. I caught the “let’s get down to thanking God for His amazing love” theme. I’ve had a stressful week, but God has been faithful to me. His love is a testimony and I want to do my part in thanking Him today.

When my girlfriend, Mary Jane, got to our Life Group last Friday, she had double vision. We prayed for her healing. We were grateful that she was able to schedule an eye doctor appointment for Monday. I knew we were in trouble after I waited for her for two hours in the doctor’s office that Monday and when the receptionist came out, she told me I must get Mary Jane to the Emergency Room pronto. Her blood pressure was 239 over 150. By 8:30 that night, the nurses were able to get it down to 198 over 77 and we were released from the hospital.

I’m praising God that He kept my friend in such good form. This double vision began a week ago! When we were in the Emergency Room, I called my daughter, Amy, and asked her to make some calls to Mary Jane’s best friend, Peggy, and also our Life Group leader. Prayer is powerful! I can’t tell you the relief I felt when Peggy joined us at the hospital and also our Pastor who prayed with us.

On Tuesday, we saw Mary Jane’s primary doctor for several hours and he then sent us to the Cardiac Care doctor because the numbers were high again. Mary Jane received medication.

I’m thanking God for the lessons I learned this week. Namely, I need to keep my cell phone numbers up to date! I learned of God’s protection of those who call out to him on a daily basis. Mary Jane is His loyal servant and He protected her. Also the power of intercessory prayer always reminds me of God’s love. Thirdly, I became aware of masses of people who are suffering in their hearts. I spent a lot of time waiting in the Cardiac Care Unit and I was amazed how busy the place is; many hearts are hurting. I was overcome with their needs. I was grateful for the time Mary Jane and I had together praying for those around us and knowing God cares about each and every one of them.

The meds still have not brought down Mary Jane’s top number. This morning it was 219. She has tests scheduled next Monday. No history of heart disease in her family.

This month’s focus of God’s love touches me. I’m reflecting on His faithfulness, His covenant promises to keep us in all ways, His protection. The love of God pours out through His people, and our world is changed. I see the need of so many hurting people that are looking for the answer. It is found in God’s Son, Jesus.

Thankful Thursday is hosted today by Iris at Grace Alone.

Comments

  1. I will be praying for your dear friend, love you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Having hypertension myself, I understand the risks involved of having those numbers elevated. Sometimes, some people have it and don't know it as they can be asymptomatic. That's why it's called the "silent killer".

    Praying for your friend sister. It may be tough for her to get the number down. But I can see the Lord working in her and turning it into good. At times of an emergency, two of you were able to lift up others in prayers and they were not even aware of it.

    God loves us all. I felt that when you talked about that moment. How He saved one precious sister [thank God she didn't have a stroke!] and wanted to save others as well. They were. Because you both stood in the gap for them. To God be the glory forever! Take care sister. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my, it has been quite a time you have had there. So many things to be thankful for, and so many things to be praying about! Thanks you for sharing this. I will pray too. ~

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review of Biblical Minimalism and Give Away

What does minimizing look like?  To the empty nester it may mean downsizing real estate.  To the co-dependent, it may mean pitching some toxic friendships they tend to collect.  I thought I had a handle on Biblical minimalism, but I wasn’t even close.  Biblical minimalism is much more than cleaning out a drawer and discarding unwanted things into a box to take to the thrift store. In her book, Biblical Minimalism, Cheryl E. Smith defines Biblical minimalism as “a complete, whole person release of anything unlike Jesus, a letting go of everything that hinders us from following Him wholeheartedly and single- mindedly , and a relinquishing of all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, very temporary life.” The author gives us a visual of a whole pie that is divided into eight slices.  Each slice describes our lives with areas to analyze to see if pruning or adjustment is needed.  I won’t name them all, but one example is the “emotional ...

Mama's Lipstick

I always wished I could do things with my mom like shop in the mall, share makeup secrets or go to the movies and watch romantic comedies.  My wish never materialized.     My mama behaved like a tomboy.   She loved baseball and pitched with a strong right arm.   She could care less about the latest fashion or the latest movies featured on the big screen.   She never polished her fingernails.    One day after elementary school, I walked into the house to find my mom all dolled up in front of the bathroom mirror, foundation crème, powder, eyebrow pencil and rouge all over the counter sink.  “Who are you?” I asked, thrilled to see my mama putting on the Ritz.  Makeup in place and blotted, she immediately took it off.  “I don’t like the way it feels,” she exclaimed. She retired in Arizona and protected her dry lips with a light rose lipstick, the color of natural lips, a step above ChapStick.  She wore it a few tim...

Abba's Lap

I noticed a behavior pattern in little Amy, twenty months old, that I want to imitate.  She moves fast engaging in one toddler activity after another spinning like a whirlwind from one room to another.  Yet, she pauses,  intermittently , long enough to get refreshed.   I want to be like this grandchild of mine because she knows where to go and how to get comforted. Amy moves at record speed, putting more miles on a pedometer in one hour than my accumulated weekly workouts at the gym.  She can build a skyscraper so tall, I wonder why those bright pink Lego’s don’t topple to the ground as she continues to stack just one more piece on top. I learned never to leave the room to get another cup of coffee.  Once, when I returned, I found her climbing past the couch with hands and feet reaching for the living room drapes. She has a consistent habit that I admire.  In the midst of her activities, as she moves robustly from one play...