~ A Tribute ~

"The captive Hebrew singers sat beside the rivers of Babylon and wept as they remembered how life had been in their homeland. Their enemies tormented them, demanding that they sing happy songs of Zion. But the Hebrews were so discouraged that they ceased singing and hung their harps on a willow tree.

I awakened on a Sunday morning eagerly looking forward to being in the house of the Lord. Instead I was taken to the local hospital. My good health was shattered overnight. A CAT scan had revealed a brain tumor, and I became a captive in a strange land. I ceased singing my songs of praise and "hung up my harp."

Early the next morning, a young couple visited me. Joseph prayed. Janet read a letter of praise and encouragement that I had written to her six years earlier when she faced the decision of whether or not to have an abortion to save her life. (She chose to trust God and delivered a perfect baby boy!)

I was sent home for 30 days and then went back for more tests to determine the prognosis. The CAT scan indicated that the tumor was half the original size and was no longer a problem. The new diagnosis was multiple sclerosis.

Once again I was tempted to stifle my song, that is, until I discovered El Shaddai, the All-sufficient One (Jesus), who is always with us.

You will not find my harp on any willow tree. It is accompanying my songs of praise - I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; . . . When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted (Psalm 138: 1, 3)." R. LUCAS

* See associated post dated 27/11/2010 - Eternity!

*** EMBRACING the Moment !! ***

Here I go.. WOW.. I'm embracing this moment! Am looking forward to posting some little gems of encouragement, if not just for myself. Heard the other day that with every negative pinion in life there is always a positive "pinion" that can be realised to take its place. A pinion can mean a bird's wing being disabled (or confined) and it can also be described as a small cog-wheel. At the most, a small cog-wheel can move. I'm thankful that at the most, I can move. A small cog-wheel simulated with much challenge in life.. PLAN, plan and plan with an eye to the future. I owe to be kind to myself.. that then allows me to value myself!
It's Christmas in seven (7) weeks and wonder where this year has gone.. It's been and it's gone (the older I become, time progressively seems to pass). Christmas purposes the good choice of a wonderful creative time of gift giving! Gifts don't always need to be wrapped or presented in a box. Brightly coloured flowers or a very pretty single Rose can be delivered during the Christmas season.. your choice. Going out for a "cuppa" is always on my agenda. Cinema tickets are great. The world is indeed our PERSONAL "Oyster" where we can choose to reflect a little "fingerprint" of ourselves in gift-giving to someone else.. for someone else. Tomorrow.. I will look into some cooking.. maybe, for Christmas. Once again, it's up to choice!