Crutches -
i am on my 3rd day with crutches - finally able to get to the kitchen and do dishes. Fascinating what you learn pondering life over dishes. As i stand in front of the sink i make sure that my crutches are nearby, they are a necessity for any movement to the left or the right, backwards or forwards. i need them! i cannot make it to the bathroom. If i get tired i need them to seek rest. My precious husband has been at the ready to help lift me up, help me sit down, lift my leg... whatever! My family has said, "If you need anything, call and we will be there" - i cannot tell you how grateful i am for them, but they will not always be there for me, they can't. my independence depends on the crutches!
i have heard it said that "Jesus is just a crutch!" REALLY??? Wow, whole different perspective on that analogy today! Oh my goodness....
Psalms 23 - "The Lord is my shepherd; there is NOTHING i lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters, He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. Even when i go through the darkest valley, i fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You annoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as i live." (Holman Bible) Please note when the pronouns change from "He" to "You"....
i need Him for everything! 
The crutches... They didn't cost me much. In fact when we return them with the receipt, we get back $25 of the $35 it cost to rent them. Not too painful!
For Jesus to be my "crutch"... it cost Him EVERYTHING! He gave His life!
When the knee heals and the crutches are returned, i will ALWAYS need my Jesus. He is needed when i turn to the left or the right, backwards or forwards, i need to make sure He is near, that i have not set Him too far away! He has sustained me in every situation: disappointment, sorrow, grief beyond description, loss, weakness; support when i needed it. i chuckle when i consider the times He is set aside and i stumble and sometimes fall; and the fact that He is right where i left Him when i look for Him; He never left. 

March 9th, 2014 - 39 years ago today, in a hospital bed, my life would change for eternity! i asked that Christ come in and be Lord of my life! He is my whole hospital (just to keep witht the theme! :)

Stressed...what do you do?

Stress - "Be anxious for nothing..." - My God tells me to be anxious for nothing! I don't feel anxious; yet I experience fear, over-concern over things / people over which I have no control! Everyone has situations / issues in their lives that cause concern to them...for me, suddenly, everything causes my body to experience a symptom of concern; namely, palpitations!
What "things"in my life that cause me this concern are stressful, but I trust God, I do!! - I have experienced His provisions, His love, peace, joy & His directions so many times in my life; even in times of extreme stress; like death, loss of babies, loss of home and finances! Why now? I am praying, I am asking God to reveal anything in my life that is not pleasing to Him. Don't get me wrong, I know that God loves me, He gave His life for me, for my sins; but I also know that He disciplines those that He loves - and He truly loves me. What He has revealed to me is my attitude and snide remarks when someone hurts / threatens me! I hate when I am like that... it is a "fallback" mode that I sink to when I could otherwise just rest in Him, and take it to Him in prayer, turn the other cheek.... I want others to see His character in my life, but I am not perfect and He is not finished with me yet! I am not patient with people sometimes and I am even more impatient with my self.
My late "spiritual" mom, Iva Mae, used to say, even @ 85... "oh, the Lord is working on my pride"; really? She was saved @ 14, walked faithfully with the Lord, trusted Him and shared Him with everyone... really? pride??? I couldn't see it, but frankly, unless you know me very well...you won't see my anxious heart either! But I am and I feel ashamed, and truthfully, sometimes unable to fully surrender my concerns! Oh, help me Lord... I don't want to be this way, why now? Please reveal Yourself to me in a new way, one that I may have forgotten, one I take for granted, one that I ignore, one I don't want to hear! Please, I want to have all that You have planned for me: peace, joy,  love, patience, kindness, suffering, whatever it is... it is from Your hand, and nothing can touch my life without Your permission, because You have good planned for me, not of evil to give me a future and a hope - no matter how is is "clothed"!!! - I want to dwell on what is pure, holy, righteous, of good report - if there be any good - to think upon these things - regardless of my circumstances!  
They say that writing is cathartic... so I write... should it be a private conversation, perhaps, but for this moment maybe others feel the same and need to know they are not alone!!! And I want them to know that, just like me..they can say....
Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him."

In His grip and grateful!!!

Linda