A hard hard week....

(c) M Pruitt
Do not copy or reproduce without written permission of artist


We will NOT forget the Lord Our God!

Remember the children's book "Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" ?

This has felt like my "terrible horrible no good very bad" week. But in reality, it's also been a lot like many of David's Psalms where he cries out and weeps and moans, but in the end he ends up with Praise for God. Those Psalms seem a little strange, but I think I can understand them a bit.

We have had many stresses and difficult situations around here...

As I posted last, my stomach has gone into a mode of emptying very slowly causing lots of pain and nausea. I was on IV fluids for the weekend and no oral intake of food or liquid. This often helps my stomach to kick back into action.

It didn't.

But I was able to see a GI doctor Monday morning. He was really great and we are taking a new road of aggressively treating the pain and nausea with medication, hoping that I can stay hydrated and nourished without being hospitalized. So far, though there have been a few rough moments, this is working and I am well hydrated and working on getting in some nutrition.

Bill's parents are facing some very difficult health issues. Very difficult indeed. Bill is flying down to spend a day with them and help them make some decisions. Though this is very hard on and stressful for Bill, we are thankful they trust Bill so much to asked him for help.

Sweet Ellen lost her car this week. She was hit by a truck and her car is totaled. Though she loved that car, and we relied greatly on two cars to be able to get two teens to all their "activities", I am so proud of Ellen's attitude of trusting God that I could almost burst. She is an inspiration to me.

She also had her heart set on attending a dance conference called "Festival". It is an "invitation only" conference and her company is a member of this elite group. But, with the loss of her car - getting a job is going to be hard. So, once again - another huge disappointment. And yet - through tears, she proclaims trust in God and a willingness to accept the fact that she just can't go. Again - my mother's heart aches for her and yet at the same time, bursts with pride.

Psalm 103

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

He is enough for me . I will remember the LORD my God and all that he has done for me and provides for me. If you need to remember this too - watch this video with Chris Tomlin's song "Enough". It's a great reminder on a "terrible horrible not good very bad day" ! (just scroll down to "background music on the right margin and click pause before playing the Video)