A couple of nights ago I was struggling to find sleep, early in the morning. I have been having trouble with sleep, thanks to some of the medication I take. I tend to get exhausted at some points of the day and night. Then at other times the medication I take, simply keeps me awake. One thing I have noticed is that I tend to struggle with sleep sometimes at night, particularly around 3-4:00 A.M. (in the morning time) on the American east coast.
Well, let me share some of the things that have gone on. For whatever reason, a good friend of mine who is now a missionary in Uganda. (We knew each other when we were both younger and in Kenya). She had become almost like an older sister to me while in Kenya. One of the activities she helped me with was a little time out to go swimming at a nearby hotel. After that time in life, we grew, she found a great man, they married and went to Kenya as missionaries, later going on to Uganda. However, our friendship has continued. That lady from the few nights, God used to be an encouragement to me.
Via the internet she was there right before we headed to Tampa for the news which I was expecting but did not want to hear, then again, the other night my friend, was there again, all the way around from the other side of the world, with an encouraging song and other words to lift a heart in the middle of the night. And she continued again last night with some more gracefully put and gentle reminders of our Creator’s great love, including this following song, which was a gift from God last night in this tired and weary head.
So, my dear friend, I am not sure what time it was for you, but for me it was when I needed a little something to encourage me when I needed it the most.
So, the rest of the world, here is the good news from the lady that God uses to encourage this heart early some mornings. She gave me a verse of encouragement and a song to remind me of God’s grace.
God has used so many others to encourage me over the last several days, including those who have simply stopped by just to say hello, while some have sent a card/email, or used other forms of communication. There are also those people from all over who regularly send cards/email/ call/text or otherwise communicate their concern and find ways of encouraging me in a lot of different ways. Some have made arrangements to fly for long distances, some were able to travel by car, or otherwise just simply communicated physically here at the house or on the phone, through the computer. The list goes on and on . . . I know my list here does not take in everyone that has prayed and communicated with me, but there is a limit to how much I can put on this blog. So, use your imagination. Check to see how God may use you to encourage a person in need. Maybe you were just passing by (randomly or not,) stopped in at just the right moment, dropped that card in the mail at just the right time, etc. or just took a moment out with almighty God to say a prayer or use whatever talent you have, which were an encouragement to me this morning when I was struggling to actually sleep (sleep tends to come and go right now). When I should be sleeping, I don’t, when I should be awake, I need a good long nap.
So, this is the song that encouraged this heart, early this morning. Thank you, my sweet friend; God’s gift to me this morning, as are so many others who call, text, email, stop by to see what they can do today or call or, text.
"New Grace" a song written by Tom Hayes
Praises:
God’s continued strength and comfort for each new day, followed by His grace to help to get me up and live Life each new day.
Prayer Requests:
More opportunities to share God’s love with those I meet here and there.
Please continue those prayers for me and my family as we take the rest of the journey with God's grace and help.
My encouragement to you today is: “Find what you can do to help someone else in their time of need. Be an encouragement to them.”
Until such a time, please take a moment to see how your heart matches our God’s heart as He uses life and people to influence us towards Him.
I will write more as I am able to with no promises of how long they will be or often they will come.
At least that is what I have to say for now. Unless He tells me to write about another experience in life. So, check back. We are Never done until He walks us through that last breath.
Love you all dearly, although never as much as our Creator does.
Until the next time:
Debbie
Last Prayer Request for today: Pray for these blog entries. Without God’s grace they would be a failure all over the world, BUT thanks to you people who continue sharing my life and story they are reaching others and my prayer is they are an encouragement to them. That is certainly my prayer in this entire process of writing. – It’s Not about me. It’s All about HIM!.
Thanks for sharing Debbie. You continue to bless me and others. Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThank God for new grace.
Debbie, I'm quite sure you don't remember me, but your parents do. I was a supervisor at Castleberry Baptist Christian School when your folks worked there when they were home on furlough--a very long time ago! You were just a little kid then. I've been very touched by reading your blog, and I have been praying for you. I don't understand why you were chosen to bear this burden, but your grace and testimony throughout your journey have been a blessing to me, and I'm sure for many others. I love you--and your folks--but not as much as God loves you. Hang in there, keep trusting, and keep sharing your testimony. I'm certain you are a blessing to thousands of people you will never know and will not meet on Earth. (I'm not sure how to sign this--don't know my url?? So I'll sign it here. Again, love you, want to hug you, and I'm praying for you daily! Kay Kamp
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for your blog posts. Each one is a blessing to me as I read it. My family continues to keep you and your family in daily prayer.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my heart and on my mind many times of the day and I pray for you often as well as your parents and your brothers, David and Doug
ReplyDelete