56 The Little things

God thinks of the little things to quiet/still my heart.

Before the last scan God arranged for my brother, Doug, and his wife, Donna, to be here all the way from Kenya. Nice distraction leading into another run of tests and doctor visits, which always tend to create some anxiety, despite the fact I know He has everything under control.  Well, He's done it again, lined up another visit from family right before the next scan. Coincidence??  No!! That's how my God works to say, “I love you, Debbie Stamper”.  I called this “The Little Things” because in the whole scheme of life, they are little.  However, to a heart in need, God makes them a priority. Because to that heart in need, they are a priority and I love that I am a priority to an almighty, all-powerful God.

A song that encouraged me this past Sunday at church was ‘Tis So Sweet.  Particularly this verse:

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

Refrain:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

There is another song that continually runs through my head.  I mentioned this in #47.  But here’s the rest of the story.  This song continues to be an encouragement. 

 In 2000, “Commissioned” the singing group I travelled with while in college went to Kenya on a short mission’s trip.  My mom went with us.  While there, we received a phone call informing us that my dad who had stayed in America to keep some preaching engagements as they were on furlough at the time, was quite sick.  Later, we would find that he, too, was going to face his own battle with cancer, losing one kidney and part of the other.  Well, on the way to the airport to head back to America, one of the ladies in the group began singing this song and it continues to be an encouragement to me on a regular basis.

PRAISES:

Safety, and strength for each new day.

Lessons God continues to bring my way about Himself, me, others around me and life in general.

On Saturday of last week, I walked to the stop sign, mentioned in my last post.  Yes, I was tired but it was good for me and I intend to do it again soon.  Every time I do, it will get better and faster.

A wonderful friend of mine here in Sebring gave me what’s called an e-stem device.  It has these little plastic/rubber pads you place on your skin.  The wires attached to the pads plug into a machine that sends electrical current to the area.  Depending on where I place the pads, the device will cause my fingers or wrist to move.  The other day I was using the machine to move my fingers and it made my fingers move like they used to while playing the piano.  It was not by my effort, the machine did it all, but it was nice to experience that sensation again. I still find myself playing in my head while people at church play for the offering, playing along sometimes with my right hand. But the other evening, when all this movement was going on it was as if God wanted to remind me what it felt like to have my left hand join the "party".  Coincidence?  No!!  That’s my God again saying, “I love you, Debbie Stamper”.

PRAYER REQUESTS: (Many of these remain the same, but are still relevant/needed.)

Extra fatigue from medication.  So please pray for extra strength on a daily basis.

Continued strength to manage the physical strain of some of the treatment and exercises to improve mobility.

Courage to face the unknown and opportunities to show the grace of God through difficult times.

Safety.

Family who are hanging in there with me through this battle.

Wisdom to know my limitations and observe them.

Still working on paperwork for various devices to assist mobility as well as insurance matters.

Next MRI and doctor visit Feb 8.