In Sickness and in Health

As I write, my husband is undergoing knee repacement. It's been a big
medical year at our house--cancer, knee replacement. Ahead weeks of
rehab, another possibale knee replacement in November. I read the
scripture for today, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith
develops perseverance."

What is a test?

A test is something you can walk away from--a difficult marriage, a
rebellious child, a challenging relationship. Situations when you can
choose to stay in the fray or just eject.

We can refuse to take a test. But, if we stay with it, God promises
the testing will yield perseverance. And in words that have meant so
much to me, the apostle
Paul says, "...suffering produces perseverance, perseverance,
character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us bccause
God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5).

It seems the testing we face today is not for Jerry but for me just as
it was for him when I faced cancer. He could have walked away from a
woman bearing drastic physical changes
from the one he married. Other men have. Instead he stayed, told me
how beautiful I was, how nothing changed in his eyes.

He passed the test with flying colors. He helped me emerge from cancer
feeling whole.

For me, during the rehab ahead, i pray I can be just as supportive and
patient as he has been with me. I don't want to barely pass the test,
grumbling all the way. I want to embrace the opportunity to give back,
to bless, to encourage. I want to allow God to use this time to work
his good work in me, too.

So, as always thanks for your prayers. God is good in sickness and in
health.


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