Gifts of Life

The tongue has the power of life and death,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

Ansley Roan, my cousin, posted questions she had been thinking about after hearing her pastor’s message at church.  They are worthy of repeating and pondering as well.

* What does the tone and intention of my message convey to my children?

* If someone else spoke to my kids or husband the way I speak to them, how would I feel about that?

* If the words that come out of my mouth were written into a novel, what would the story tell?

* What would change this week if I allowed Jesus to flow through me?

* Who will I speak life into today?  This week?

* Words have the power of life and of death.  Are the words I’m speaking giving life or bringing death?

May I, too, choose to be intentional about every word I speak, my tone of voice, and my message.  May every word bring pleasure and glory to God.  And may my words be a gift of encouragement and life to others.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:45

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 10:20

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.                                                                                                                       

Proverbs 16:24

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 17:28

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

James 1:26

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James 3:9-10.

When the Unexpected and Unlikely Bring Blessings

After Monday’s doctor’s visit I was admitted to the hospital due to an infection. My plastic surgeon has never had a patient develop an infection around or in the area where the surgery was performed when a drain is still in place and functioning.  What seems like an unfortunate event has had some unexpected blessings.

After admission, I was sent to a room in record time.  This isn’t just any room.  It is a room with a view of Tallowood Baptist Church peeking above the trees!  We have enjoyed pointing out the church to our nurses, doctors, and visitors.  Seeing the church has helped keep things in perspective and has reminded me to whom I belong. 

We found out Wednesday morning that I was going to need additional surgery either Friday or Monday and I would not be able to consider going home until the surgery was completed.  After meeting with both doctors that morning, they were able to have me as an add on and perform the surgeries on Wednesday night. 

I quickly began preparing for the surgery.  I washed my hair, and Larry had just finished blowing it dry when there was a knock on the door that the people had arrived to take me to the surgery holding area.  It was 1:50 p.m.  Talk about great timing. 

Right before surgery, an IV caused a second vein to blow.  Since there was not time to install a PICC line before I needed to go for surgery, that meant the nurses in the pre-surgery area would need to do the task.  I have tiny, rolling veins so I am not always an easy stick.  I have learned to drink lots of fluids beforehand, but that was not an option because of the preparation for surgery.  It took 2 nurses 4 sticks, and still no IV.  I asked Larry to pray before they tried again.  The nurses both agreed.  The very next stick, the IV was in place.  There was instantly a vocal, “Thank you Jesus” celebration.  Both nurses were even dancing around. 

There was a miscommunication about getting me early since the surgery did not even occur until after 7:30 p.m.  If we would have arrived later, we would have missed out on the celebration since one of the nurses left to go home after helping insert the IV. 

Last week, when the pathology report was completed, one of the cancer markers was 0.01 mm from the margin.  That is too close to determine that there is no cancer.  Because of the infection, my surgeon had an opportunity to go back in, after the expander was taken out and the area cleaned, and take out an additional layer of tissue to be sent to the pathologist for analysis. 

After surgery, Dr. Lee told Larry that these two+ weeks since the previous surgery allowed the tissue to recover so she could remove what was needed and the remaining tissue survive.  God’s perfect timing once again. 

Both surgeons are pleased with the outcome of the second surgeries.  The infection is clearing up!  This week we have seen teamwork and cooperation at its best.  All four of my doctors are in constant communication about what will be most beneficial for me.  I am most grateful.  The nurses, at shift change, brief the one following them on each of their patients so there is not a gap in care.

 Through these days, we have treasured times with our sons and family.  The boys have made sure we had what was needed, as well as gifting us with their presence and prayers.

 Your prayers, thoughts, encouraging words, gifts, and cards have been and continue to be huge blessings during these days.  I know that the calmness of spirit before surgeries and my healing progress have been greatly enhanced due to your prayers on my behalf.  Thank you, thank you!  We have also shared with the medical personnel that you are praying for them.

God continues to provide and prove Himself faithful. 

 The LORD is my strength and my

             shield;

     my heart trusts in him, and he

             helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
     and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.

     With him at my right hand, I
            will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my
            tongue rejoices;
     my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me
            to the realm of the dead,
     nor will you let your faithful one
            see decay.
You make known to me the path of
            life;
     you will fill me with joy in your
          presence,
     with eternal pleasures at your
           right hand.
Psalm 16:8-11

Responding to Responsibilities

Curtis Jenkins is a bus driver for Lake Highlands Elementary School in Dallas, Texas.  According to Principal Emily Gruninger, Jenkins goes over and above what is expected of a driver and treats the children on his bus “like a family.”   Curtis responded, “These are my children.  These are my community.  I love ‘em all.” Jenkins gives responsibilities to everyone.  One is an administrative assistant to the President, some are police officers, while others hold different positions.  He teaches the children to care for each other and love and respect each other.  Throughout the year he gives gifts to the students.  Each one is handpicked specifically for the receiving child.  He once gave a T-shirt to a girl with a picture from the book she had written.  “I’m hoping this T-shirt inspires her to keep on writing books.  Jenkins gives food, backpacks, bicycles, and anything else his kids might need.  When asked about Curtis, the students rarely mention the gifts.  Their main response is, “He really cares about us and he’s really kind.”  Ethan commented, “My mom got divorced when I was only 4.  He’s the father that I always wanted.  In some ways, I wish my dad could have been like that.”

Recently, a police officer in Kingsland, Georgia, was directing traffic for a high school graduation.  He noticed one of the graduates struggling to properly tie his tie on the way to the ceremony.  Between traffic stops, he helped the young man fix his tie.

Ryan Kirkpatrick is 9 years old and lives in Napa, California.  Towards the end of the school year Ryan was concerned about the third-grade students at West Park Elementary School who couldn’t afford school lunches.  Although the district policy states that all students will receive a hot lunch, no matter what they owe, Ryan asked his mother, Kylie, to find out how much was owed.  Ryan used his allowance money to pay the $74.50 debt.  He responded, “I want them to realize people actually think about them because you’re not just bragging about stuff.  I want them to feel happy someone cares about them.”

May we too williingly respond to the opportunities we are given this week.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.

James 1:22

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

A Tender and Loving Heart

Recently our daughter-in-law’s father had an employee who lost everything in an apartment fire.  The man’s daughter and young granddaughter live with him.  When Lori was told of the news, she immediately began going through Sawyer and Della’s clothes and shoes to find things to give to the little girl.  Four year old Sawyer asked if the little girl lost all her toys, too.  Upon finding the answer was yes, Sawyer asked if she could give the girl some of her toys.  I told her she could pick out 10 books.  She hurried to the play room and selected her 10 favorite books, not just any 10, to give.  We had a children’s nativity that we also included in the boxes.  Then Sawyer said she wanted the girl to have her Minnie Mouse and soft, cuddly, pink bear.  A little background…for Christmas Sawyer only asked for two things: a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal and a soft pink bear.  She has played with and slept with the two stuffed animals since receiving the gifts.  When questioned about if she knew they would no longer be hers if she gave them away she nodded yes.  Sawyer said she knew they would help the little girl be happy again.  Not once has she asked to have the stuffed animals or books back or to have them replaced.  That week Lori received a picture of the little girl, with a huge smile on her face, surrounded by her books, nativity, and stuffed animals.  When Sawyer saw the picture, her face lit up when she saw how happy the girl was with her new gifts.

God saw that we were in great need.  At just the right time, God sent his very best, His one and only son Jesus to be our Savior.  Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we too have the opportunity to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and live in fellowship with Him both now and forever.

Oh, to have a heart that willingly desires to always give of my best.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Children’s children are a crown to the aged,

     and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17:6

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8