Saturday, January 4, 2020

Onward, Un-Nerved but Ever so Thankful. Going Straight Ahead.



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"The irons of sorrow and loss, the burdens carried as a youth, and the soul's struggle against sin all contribute to developing an iron tenacity and strength of purpose, as well as endurance and fortitude.  And these traits make up the indispensable foundation and framework of noble character.

Never  run from suffering, but bear it silently, patiently, and submissively, with the assurance that it is God's way of instilling iron into your spiritual life.  The world is looking for iron leaders, iron armies, iron tendons, and muscles of steel.  But God is looking for iron saints, and since there is no way to impart iron into His people's moral nature except by letting them suffer, He allows them to suffer....

...Your iron crown of suffering precedes your golden crown of glory, and iron is entering your soul to make it strong and brave."             F. B. Meyer

But you will not mind the roughness, nor the steepness
   of the way,
Nor the cold, unrested morning, nor the heat of the noonday;
And you will not take a turning to the left or the right,
But go straight ahead, nor tremble at the coming of the night,
   For the road leads home.

 Excerpt above from Streams in the Dessert devotional.  December 27.


Oh my soul is full with thankfulness, joy and feeling a bit un-nerved.  The above devotional struck to my heart this December.

The night of Christmas I didn't know I would be seeing ambulance lights through my mother in law's glass door as I was taking my own mother's pulse.

Thanking God my mother is okay but also knowing that she is approaching 90 it's bothered me lately.  Someone came to me and asked if it was normal for my mom to be sleeping in the dining room chair chair at the table drooling.  (No!)   I couldn't  believe the sight I saw and shouted for someone to call 911.  Audible prayers were coming forth.  Thank God we were in the midst of Christians no matter what the slight differences.  What was in our teabags in that boiling water was coming out trust me.  Prayers still going forth as I finally started calling for my mother to come back!  Not only did I  I stand there amidst audible prayers of those around us ...In the name of Jesus, but a shout of a young lady ordering to start cpr (never needed thank God)....a scared young man calling 911...my daughters crying, young ladies taking my daughter's baby to help out, a new guest, a new precious girlfriend hugging my daughter telling her it will be okay, people scattering everywhere, my sister in law who just lost her husband months ago suddenly and tragically, she calling out my mother's name as my mother finally peeked her weary eyes to her.  My adult nephew, an emt so sweetly helping out, such a fine young man raised right.  My daughter's boyfriend coming through the door, medicine is his thing, I wanted to hug his neck.  I stood there stoic just doing the next thing trying to keep my cool (I think we mothers are specialists at this at times, as God gives that supernatural strength) but afraid at the same time just trying to walk on water so to speak like a little duck on the water with his legs peddling like mad underneath.     The emts coming in with the stretcher...a colorful vivid strange dream of flashes.

Thank God there was a happy and joyful ending.   My mother, smiling says to the emt...Hey handsome.

My heart is blessed on an extended family with differences of course, but coming together and making that beautiful bridge to help when it  mattered most and especially in prayers coupled with action.  What a beautiful Tiffany lamp, with all the different pieces coming together.


I will start to close with this video of my mother with one of our grandbabies, Jimmy.  I think this shows my mom when she is most happy!  She loves children and this is her element!  She's doing great, she will be going to my daughter's doctor, a natural doctor seen on pbs, also at one time, a specialist in medicine leaving behind the tradition as he sojourns to better, natural healing that works thanks be to God.

Thanking God for His goodness and just knowing He is there with me.  It's in the times above we must have faith.

My mother this past year with Baby Jimmy, one of our precious grandsons.  Very typical of my mother with children.


I'll be decluttering at this time, just taking it easy.  It's been such a strange several years and I'm no stranger to loss or pain, I'm also no stranger to great blessing from God.  He holds me in the palm of His hand.

My husband and I are enjoying just being and doing simple things together.  Our precious little grandbabies are a joy.   My husband and I were even able to go the Museum of Fine Arts to view the Norman Rockwell:  American Freedom exhibit. Oh a  beautiful day, just a day of building great memories.

Turning 59 years of age I'm just taking a deep breath for now, I covet your sincere prayers.   I'll be seeing you, until  the next time...

God be with you.    Amelia at the Forest Cathedral.

P.S.  I feel strongly in my spirit that I need to give an exhortation.  Please friends, if you are running a Christian blog, please be that Christian in action and response as well as what is written or shared.

Edit. 1.6.20:  To ward off confusion on the above exhortation and clarify:   It's most important as a Christian blogger, to visit other blogs and leave encouragement or just an interesting comment when able.  It's also very telling on  follow up on personal messages in a sensible time frame when possible and if seen.  For myself, I have had to go back and apologize to a precious pastor from India because I was not checking the personal message section as I should have.  Let's concentrate on fellowship and our true witness as much as numbers if we are looking at numbers at all.  The mostly anemic American church is a good example in many cases of the problem of "The Numbers Game".  For  me?  I will not play The Numbers Game.  If you would like to join me at my kitchen table here with a cup of coffee or  tea so to speak, that is a great thing in my book and close to my heart and I appreciate that so much.  I do think it's important to sensibly let people know we are gleaning from a blog author's writings as we see fit and are thoughtful, prayerful and considerate in that.  And if someone takes the time to visit our blogs?  Let's reciprocate and visit their blog too from time to time, it's nice to be nice and it's the Jesus thing to do.  If you are out there, not a blogger so to speak and just enjoy reading, having found my blog, I appreciate your cyber footsteps very much and please know you are in my prayers whatever part of the world you are in.  I appreciate you reading here and hope it is an encouragement to your heart as we sojourn in this world together.  May the Peace of God be with you.

Blessings to All, and may this New Year bring close, sweet fellowship to our Savior.

14 comments:

Patti said...

I love the Streams in the Desert devotional. It has spoken to my heart over and over through the years.

About trials and heartaches...James tells us to "consider it all joy...that perseverance must finish its works, so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

The "not lacking anything" reminds me that the trial is to bring into our lives something that is lacking...maybe that is peace, trust, surrender, etc.

Of course, when in the midst of trials, it's not always easy to remember that, is it?

Praise God that there was such a wonderful crew of people around when your mom passed out. And that she looked at the EMT and said, "Hey handsome" is quite funny. She is still very much alive!!

Oh, yes, a baby's laughter is about the most beautiful sound on earth. So totally precious!

I really appreciate your exhortation! I aspire to blog, respond, and welcome readers with sincere Christian love. If you ever see me not doing so, please call it to my attention.

I had to respond to your last comment on the blog itself, since I didn't receive the email notification.

Have a lovely day, my friend.



Love,
Patti

Amelia said...

Dear Patti, you have written some good reminders, thank you, I will take those to heart.

The Streams in the Desert devotional is so Holy Spirit led, It's been my morning companion along with my Bible for nearly a decade now. It reaches deeply into my heart many a morning.

You wrote: "I aspire to blog, respond, and welcome readers with sincere Christian love." You do just that Patti, thank you for being a sincere blogging friend and just being you in genuine Christian kindness. I see those who write Christianese so to speak but their lack of consideration in actions troubles me greatly. It ought not be.

I guess I could have written in my short bio I have much mercy coupled with sparks of prophet. My daughters and I remember my dad saying, "If it's one thing you are not, you're not a fake".

I value those words and hope I can blog with wisdom, discernment saturated with love.

You're a dear, I appreciate you, Love, ~Amelia

Barbara said...

Amelia, this is a beautifully-written post of a very real and, as you said, "unnerving" experience you had. I am so glad your mother is okay.

We've had some times with my mother in recent years (she is 94) that threatened to unbalance us, so I understand the wave of thoughts and feelings that come when these things happen.

Praise be to our Heavenly Father Who sees us at all times, Who is never surprised, and leads us with love through whatever comes.

He saw Nathanael under the tree (John 1:48), knew his thoughts, and drew him to Himself. He does the same with us. Peace, dear Sister in Christ.

Thank you for sharing this with us, your friends.

Barbara said...

P.S. The video with your mom holding your grandson is so sweet! I see you in her face.

Amelia said...

Barbara, Thank you so much for your words of comfort, understanding coupled with precious encouragement. I know you personally understand totally-totally and oh how I appreciate that. I covet your prayers, and I just loved the exhortation of "Peace, dear Sister in Christ".

I'm so glad you enjoyed the little video, yes, many people see that strong resemblance. Thank you!

It's so true, the Lord sees from above and He too knows and understands in His mercy. What would we do without Him? We can walk with Him and talk to Him... Oh and oh how I do, what a great comfort!

Thank you Friend. (a hug)

Marianna said...

Excellent quote! So good. We do need “Iron Christians,” and I hope by Gods grace that I am one of them.

That was so scary what happened to Grandma. So glad she is okay. It was very scary hearing abt it that night. But I loved hearing abt how everyone pitched in. That’s the way the Body of Christ should work, and it’s so beautiful when it does. Grandma is such a precious person, and she does love the babies. I adore that clip of her with Elliott! I’m so glad you captured that!! So sweet.

Thankfully God is with us during all these difficult times and He really does make His presence known if special ways. I look forward to seeing all that He does in this new year.

Amelia said...

Yes, Marianna may we be that person.

Little Elliott is such a little joy bundle! Grandma was true to form in that clip, and yes...A precious person. She truly has that personal relationship with the Lord and that makes a world of difference. I do believe she is one of those iron Christians in many ways.

God is with us dear Marianna, I'm so thanking God for a new year.

Love, ~Mom

Linda said...

Dear Amelia, I so enjoyed your writing and the quotes. I agree we must not run from suffering, but rather bear it silently, with that assurance that God is instilling iron into our spiritual life. I need only look back over all the Lord has brought my husband and I through, and with our children, parents, friends etc.. the list goes on, to know this is so true. I was even pondering this thought during worship today. I know I've needed a lot of refining and He's certainly not done with me yet.
I thought the video of your grandma was so precious. I loved her sweet accent too :)
Blessings to you Amelia ~ take care - Linda

Linda said...

P.S I know you shared in a comment on my blog about your mum and what happened. I pray she's doing a lot better now xo

Amelia said...

Thank you dear Linda, yes, the Refiner's fire will carry on until He sees His image. : ) I've so enjoyed His Presence, just quietly communing with Him...That is what it's all about isn't it?

Thank you for your prayers Linda, they are coveted. I hope here in the bloggesphere all will pray for one another, I'm not sure about others but that is one of the reasons for my blog, a true Christian community where we can fling open our arms to Jesus.

The video above is actually my mom. : )

Thanks again, God's blessings be with you Linda in this upcoming year. (a hug) ~Amelia

Michelle said...

Thanks for sharing your heart here, mom. The streams in the desert devotional is such a good one! I need to get a new one since having to leave behind most everything in our old house. I miss reading it. I'm so incredibly thankful grandma ended up being okay. It was so touching how everyone stepped up to help in so many ways. I call it a Christmas miracle with everyone there praying and how when she finally snapped out of it, it was as if nothing happened. Amazing and such a God thing. She is one of the most precious people ever to walk this earth. Always looking out and caring for others. We can all learn a lot in her simplicity and acts of kindness!
God will continue to be your strength and song and He will always meet you in whatever valley you find yourself in. What an comforting thought, isn't it?
Oh and what a precious video of grandma and Elliott! ❤️❤️

Amelia said...

Michelle, you wrote: "God will continue to be your strength and song and He will always meet you in whatever valley you find yourself in. What an comforting thought, isn't it?" Yes. *closes eyes and whispers a thankful sigh to God* Amen Michelle, Amen.

I know you truly know that after going through, and what our God has done. You had no idea you would be holding a precious baby boy a couple of years ago! : )

Yes, Grandma is to be respected in many ways, she in her older age has gracefully aged and become more and more giving and thoughtful. She loves her family! She has always loved little children and babies. It's a blessing to have a mother who is down to earth and knows the good things in life are not the world's counterfeit of 'good things in life'. ...That makes me smile in a grateful way. Grandma loves Jesus and fills her heart with the things of God, what a comfort.

It's so true Michelle, she just went on her merry way that night, I'm not sure she realizes what we went through and I'm not sure I'll tell her. A true Christmas miracle!

Love, ~Mom

Christine said...

**** I loved what you said, " I STOOD THERE JUST DOING THE NEXT THING"

In a situation like you and your family and friends were in, just doing the next thing is about all we can do.
Very glad to know your mom is doing well. Give her a hug from me! (I don't have a mom, so it's always nice to share a hug with someone else's mom.)


Amelia said...

Thank you so much Christine, I know you must miss your mom very much.

I heard Elisabeth Elliott say..."Just do the next thing" on the radio as she was describing a family when tragedy hit. It was diplomatically spoken as a family that had had a loss, but knew to do the next thing. That's all we can do right?

It helps me to stay calm when things like this happen many a time.

Hope you are doing well and enjoying that new puppy!