Greetings!

Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me.

I don't know about you, but so far, 2004 and 2005 have proven to be very challenging for me. Although my illness has been diagnosed (a very rare and complicated autonomic neuropathy which challenges and entertains my doctors) and I am receiving top notch treatment, I am still quite ill at times and very, very weak. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Everything takes four times as long when I don't feel well. And being sick for so long gets very old and very discouraging at times.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever. Psalm 73:26

In a society which values money, status and power, weakness is something to be ashamed of, to deny, to hide. But God does not condemn our weakness. He condemns sin, disobedience, rebellion, self-reliance and pride. But He helps, vindicates, rescues and strengthens the weak when they surrender their weakness to Him. In every area of my life, He calls me to submit my weakness to His strength. Weakness is never to be an excuse to sin, permission to be self-indulgent or a free ticket to whine and moan. It is to be a constant sacrifice of trust in Him.

For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103:14

The constant thread through the ups and downs has been the Lord gently cradling me in His arms, consistently and gently loving me. Not because of what I do, but simply because I am His beloved daughter. Through the hospitals, specialists, needles, electrodes, and debilitating episodes, there has been an overwhelming sense of peace. A certain knowledge that He is in control and that He has me tightly in His arms. He's in this. What a gift! I can't describe it, except to say it surpasses all understanding. Can you relate?

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

I am so grateful to be able to do as much I have done this year! I know people who are in pain every day of their lives and I don't have to face that! Most of the time I can function pretty well. I just have to submit every detail of every day, every week, every month, every year, every decade…to His scrutiny and ask Him to approve, deny or change my plans as He sees fit. And isn't that how all of us should live all the time?

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

I am so grateful to all those people who have been so patient, faithful, supportive and encouraging during this stretch. But most of all, I am so grateful for the wonderful gift of being weak enough to know His strength, His love, His mercy, His kindness at a whole new level. Thank you, Jesus, for holding me so gently through it all!

I would appreciate your prayers for His healing in His timing in His way For patience, faith and wisdom That He would be lifted up in all we do in Psalm One

In His love and mine,

Linda