Friday, January 6, 2012

A New Year and Renewed Hope



Do you ever sit down to blog and your mind draws a blank even though you have thoughts to share?  Well,  that's where I am today as I begin this entry.  Sounds crazy but can't seem to get the "juices flowing."  So, I'll just dive in and hope that they start flowing once the old brain gets in gear! ~smile~ I'm linking up with two of my most favorite gals, Rachel and Rachel for Friday Favorites and Company Girl Coffee. So, here goes..............

 


I have pondered this New Year quite a bit the past 5 days, not making resolutions (I quit that several years ago) but just plain ole pondering.  Pondering such things as:
What is going to happen to rock my world this year?
What do I wish to accomplish this year?
Will I be a better person this year than I was last year?
What surprises does the Lord have in store for me?
Where will I be this time next year?
How will the Lord choose to use me this year and will I be willing to allow Him to use me?
And, the ponderings go on and on.  I do not think anyone can live through what I have lived through and not have deep, deep thoughts about a New Year.(And. I am so well aware that this world is full of folks that have lived through far greater issues than I'll ever experience, but I am just sharing about me personally.)  The past 3 years have been the most difficult of my life with each of them growing in intensity.  So, do I enter this year with fear and trembling?  No, I think not.  I'm choosing to enter this year with an awareness of our awesome God that I've never had before.  I only thought that I knew how capable HE was, but he continues to amaze me. Isn't it great to serve a God that is greater than anything we can imagine! ~amen~  And, I have to confess that I have never doubted God but I have certainly questioned Him (and maybe that's the same as doubting, not sure) and not fully believed that He was capable of "fixing" the situation. Shame, shame on me!  Most of you have walked and shared the journey that I have trod since my Dad's illness on June 9th of last year.  Well, do you see this picture?


My friends, that is my Daddy TODAY! He was given little to no hope of any recovery after Guillian Barre Syndrome invaded his body.  On June 8th he was enjoying life to the fullest and in the next 24 hours the very life was sucked out of him.  Our lives were forever changed and I must admit, I pretty much had resigned myself to the fact that he would never walk again and certainly never be able to live outside the walls of a health care facility.  Well, apparently the Lord had other ideas and about a month ago we began noticing marked improvements on a daily basis.  He was obviously getting stronger and stronger, and his spirits lifted like they had not been since he became ill.  He began trying things that he had not been able to do and while, slow, he was able to do them.  Then about 10 days ago he felt like he wanted to try to walk with his walker and with the slight assistance of an aide he was successful!!!  

There are no drugs, per se, for GBS, so we  give all the credit to the Lord.  Daddy has been very dedicated to his therapy and exercise programs and the Lord has seen fit to bless his efforts in this way and bring about restoration in his body.  No, he is not what he was before, and likely will never be and he still has a ways to go, but oh, how far he has come.  For the first time, we have hope that he may one day get to return home to live with my Step Mom.   There are many factors that enter into such a decision.   If you have been one of the hundreds that have been praying for my Dad, we ask that you continue.  James 5:16 states that, "The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  

Yes, my friends, I enter this year with renewed hope and praying that my thankfulness, faith and trust in Him will only grow deeper in this New Year. With that, I can and will face whatever comes my way.



Lea @ CiCis Corner
Lea @ CiCis Corner

Hi there! My name is Lea. I've been wife to the best Hubby for 44 years....Mom to a son and daughter....CiCi to 4 precious Grans....lover of family and friends....enjoy laughter and a good time....shopper....picture taking maniac....maker of delicious fudge....organizational enthusiast....memory maker....Southern Belle...and most importantly.....a Child of the King! Welcome to my little corner!

18 comments:

  1. Oh my, Lea! Our Lord is just as you describe him. Many of the words from your post could be mine. I have tears in my eyes as you talk of what the Lord has done with your dad. It gives me hope in my own situation as the circumstances looking at me offer no hope. But God...he is more than able. Thank you for reminding me. Our God has no limits or boundaries. I will trust his perfect plan.

    I am so thrilled for you that your dad is making such great progress. I will continue to pray with you that he will continue getting better and go home. That picture of him is precious!

    Thank you for sharing your heart! Btw...the juices seemed to flow quite nicely :)

    Blessings my friend!

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  2. I am so happy for you and your Dad. He looks wonderful and happy!! Could I send him a card again?

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  3. I'm so glad your dad is doing so well...God is good!

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  4. Awesome post and yes it is very easy after having gone through some life basket turn overs to question how much harder it can get...but God is always there, always faithful and refines us through the process. I have to guard my heart and not allow the sense of "oh it is going to get worse" invade and instead do as you have just done...count the faithfulness of our God

    Your Dad looks wonderful...I have so enjoyed praying for him. He has been and still is one of God's faithful servants.

    Blessings this year!!

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  5. Such a sweet post. The picture of your precious Daddy brought tears to my eyes -- when I look at him I am reminded of the cross that you gave me -- and the meaning of it is so much deeper. I am so blessed by you, my friend. Deeply blessed.

    I have been praying for you and your Dad and am grateful for his movement in the right direction.

    Beautiful post.

    Rachel

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  6. I would never know that you were drawing a blank today ... excellent post.

    I'm so glad to hear that he's making such great progress. I'm thrilled for him ... and for you, dear friend. I will consider it a privilege to continue to pray for him.

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  7. Oh Lea how happy I am for you that the Lord has blessed you with not only the recovery of your precious daddy, but with the knowledge of His faithfulness and mercy. What a year it has been! This was a wonderful post, and I will certainly continue to lift your dad to the throne. HUGS!

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  8. I fully enjoyed this post . What I enjoyed was your candor and openness about your fears and unbelief as well as about your thrilling news and thankfulness in the midst of great trial. Seeing your dad take steps with his walker--what a moment of glory, right? I hope your 2012 is healing for you, and you can reflect in 2013 on how much better it was than the past 3 years. I'm hoping the same for myself.

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  9. Oh wow! Such an awesome way to start the new year...and such a precious picture of your daddy! I have grown so much in the last year and am FINALLY beginning to be able to have complete faith even when everything around us seems to fall apart! God IS good all the time!

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  10. This makes me cry! Praise the Lord. You are such an inspiration...thank you for these sweet reminders today. Praying for your dad, today and everyday. Happy 2012 to you, sweet friend!

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  11. Beautiful post. I am so glad that your daddy is continuing to make improvements. Have a wonderful weekend. With God all things are possible.

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  12. Hi Sweet Friend ~ what a beautiful post. So glad to read your Daddy's improving! {{hugs}}EMichelle

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  13. I cannot tell you how many times I sit down to write out a post, and my mind draws a blank. It is as if the little imaginary lightbulb refuses to turn on. My, my, my.

    That is absolutely wonderful new about your dad! That is definitely a miracle from God. Prayer is such a beautiful thing. Goodness.

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  14. What an uplifting post this is! You have energized me with your words. Your daddy has an amazing smile. Many prayers were said on his behalf and God is so good. In the midst of all of the unknown, I love that you are trusting God. I sense peace in your writing.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  15. I think you are entering this New Year in the best way... Trusting in Him! The picture of your dad brought tears to my eyes. He is such a dear man. I pray this year will bring your family many unexpected blessings.

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  16. Your daddy is a miracle in so many ways. It is hard to imagine all that has taken place since this summer...and yet your joy in the Lord and trust in Him are so very evident. Your life (and your post) are such a blessing. Thank you, Lea, for continually pointing to Him!

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  17. I'm stopping by from Company Girls and I am so excited to learn of your father's marked improvements! That is so wonderful!

    I added you to blog list on my blog so that I'll be able to tell when any of the Company Girls have updated. :) I do hope you'll stop by and visit sometime!

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So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed your visit. I love your comments and read each and every one of them and I always try to reply to them. Blessings to you this day!