A Word of Praise

April has been an incredibly trying month for me. Four visits to the ER. Twice rejected care by the VA only to seek help at a local ER and find the help I needed. My health is improving every day but I still have ground to cover. I believe when I am fully out of the woods my health will be the best its ever been. That is how my decline began. Early in the month I made some drastic changes in my diet and increased my exercise. Along with some other factors my body rebelled and sent me walking through the darkest valley. During all of this my secular employer informs me that my hours will be cut. I do not work for the government but my income is dependent upon Department of Defense money. In spite of the work for my company excelling far beyond my peers they want to cut my hours and increase my work. The Lord gave me wisdom in addressing this injustice and I have another meeting schedule to negotiate my contract.

Throughout my life, even during my 20 years of backsliding from the Lord, God has always been faithful to provide my needs. I have always had just what I need. Never more and never less. Today I was eating brisket at one of my favorite places to dine. The restaurant has a Blues theme and there is Blues music playing. During my rebellious years I was a Blues hound traveling around to festivals and very supportive of the local blues scene. When God brought me back into fellowship with him the taste for the Blues went away. But my taste for BBQ and brisket remain. So when I dine at this restaurant I put my earphones in and listen to hymns or gospel bluegrass while I enjoy my brisket. Today I was listening to a beautiful medley of instrumental hymns. When Amazing Grace was playing, the verse, "The Lord has been so good to me" came to mind. My eyes swelled and I nearly had a hallelujah shouting spell right there in the restaurant.

You see, friends. For the Christian, we have this blessed hope that Christ gave His disciples before he ascended to glory. "Lo, I am with you always". A few days ago I began to thank the Lord for these trials. I felt shamed that I was fearful and not trusting. It was one of those moments, that I trust each you have felt at some time in your life, where you are truly humbled and sense our smallness and complete finite being before the Infinite Holy One. I bless His Holy name. I thank Him for His tender loving mercy.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:1-4