Hanging By a Thread ~ God is Still the Lifter of My Head

Drooping Daffodil ~ hanging by a thread

Weak,
Wounded,
Symptoms hanging by a thread.

Torn,
Weary,
Unsure of what lies ahead.

Drained,
Broken,
Devastation now widespread.

Calm,
Prayerful,
Giving all to God instead.

Helped
Strengthened
By His power I will not dread

Safe,
Hopeful,
God remains the lifter of my head.

“But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalms‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ KJV

****

Hello dear blogging friends.  I trust you are each well and that 2015 is already blessed.

Very obviously, I have dropped off of the blogging radar.  There’s a reason for my infrequent posts.

After my neck surgery last spring, my recovery was slow.  As time progressed, many of my original symptoms improved, but several new ones appeared and grew increasingly worse.

Sadly, a set of X-rays done at the end of the year revealed why.  Two of the three cervical discs fused completely; however, the lower one did not.  And one of the screws on my titanium plate is loosening.  As a result, my neck is not stable and a disc below the surgical site is now showing stress.

I say all of this to explain my blogging absences, but also to send encouragement your way.

Despite admitted times of sadness, discouragement and fear, God has again proven Himself faithful and good.  He continues restoring my hope, lifting my head and getting me through.

He will do the same for you.  The same God who brought you this far, will carry you through whatever still lies ahead.

Trials rarely make sense.  But we can know that God does not allow these fiery situations into our lives because He is mean or uncaring.  He loves us and has reasons for it all.  When we cry out to God in the midst of our broken, torn lives, He will always be there to lift us back up and once again show forth His glory through us.

Photo taken last spring ~ at times, I feel as droopy as these daffodils!

If you are interested in similar posts of mine, see Poetry Corner.  I used to blog more often!

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Captured by Pain ~ Captivated by God’s Love

Ominous ~ a recent storm approaching

Captured by pain
Yet captivated by grace sublime
Devastated in every way
Yet drenched in love Divine

God sometimes allows circumstances to capture us, in order to captivate us with His immeasurable love. 

He will even use pain to stop the busyness and speak into our lives.  To hold us in His arms and drench us with His love.

My recovery from neck surgery has been rife with ups and downs.  With periods of strengths and setbacks. 

Although I prefer the days without pain, it is during those weakened interludes that God grabs my full attention.  He is then able to remind me of His all-consuming love.

You may have noticed my infrequent blogging.  It is because of continued difficulties with computer usage.  Since I love writing and working with photos, my inability to do so has brought much discouragement.

The enemy wants us to focus on the ominous possibilities of our circumstances and dwell in devastated defeat.  To convince us that the life we once enjoyed has ended.  To permanently capture us with pain.

At its worst, though, discouragement cannot overtake God’s love.  Physical pain cannot extinguish it.  Hardship cannot prevent it.

No matter the difficulty, God’s love abounds higher, wider and deeper still.  Trials don’t have to destroy us; they can instead strip out the trivial and bring us closer to God.  We can discover afresh and anew that His word is true:

Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

I wish that things in life made sense.  The good news is that they don’t have to for me to know and experience a contentment found only in God. 

When trials capture us, we can rest in God’s embrace, knowing that He is in control. 

God wants us to focus on the magnificent certainty of His promises and dwell in contented rest.  To believe that the purposes He intends are yet realized.  To forever captivate us with His love.

God will use anything to drench us with an awareness of His everlasting love and His grace, so sublime.

“I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!”
Psalm 89:1
NLT

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”
Genesis 50:20a
NLT

 

Come Quickly ~ Rescue Me

Behold
My crippled heart
And hear
My feeble plea.
In pain and waning hope,
Come quickly,
Rescue me.

Console
My wounded soul
And mend
My faded dreams.
I’ve superfluous tears,
Speak softly,
Restore me.

Uphold
My fragile fears
And stay
My uncertainties.
In tempestuous storm,
Shine brightly,
Renew me.

****

“Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.”
Psalm 31:2
NIV

Have you ever been at this place?  Although I’m not there now, it’s a place I’ve been many times before.  God is always faithful to rescue, so don’t lose heart!

For more of my poems, see Poetry CornerSue Nash/2013

I’ve Been Found by Someone

I’ve been left out
Of conversations.
I’ve been excluded
And probably for a reason.
I’m not always loving.
To have friends I must show myself friendly.

I’ve been surrounded
By insinuations.
I’ve been corrected
And usually when needed.
I’m not always perfect.
To have wisdom I must let God fill me daily.

I’ve been misunderstood
By others.
I’ve been rejected
And sometimes by fellow believers.
I’m not always accepted.
To obey God I must withstand criticism willingly. 

I’ve been mocked
By skeptics.
I’ve been ridiculed
And often while standing for truth.
I’m not always popular.
To follow Christ I must do so unashamedly.

I’ve been broken
By trials.
I’ve been tested
And likely to prove my faith.
I’m not always untroubled.
To mature I must endure hardships prayerfully.

I’ve been daunted
By shortcomings.
I’ve been humbled
And always after succumbing to pride.
I’m not always yielded.
To please God I must surrender fully.

I’ve been found
By Someone.
I’ve been loved
And not because of anything I deserved.
I’m not ever worthy.
To abide in God I must accept His grace completely.

For more of my poetry, see Poetry Corner

Sue Nash/2013