OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM Tuesday - October 4, 2005
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” – 1 John 1:3
Marie J. Wiebe, an ordained minister for the Evangelical Covenant Church in Camarillo, California, describes her difficult recovery from a massive stroke:
“My long and tiring road to recovery began in a hospital rehabilitation facility. I required maximum assistance, needing two attendants to roll me over in bed and help me to sit up. I also needed them to transfer me to my wheelchair and bedside commode. Initially, I was so weak that even keeping my eyes open for more than a few seconds required maximum effort. I was unable to swallow. Therefore, I was allowed no liquids, and was not able to brush my teeth for three months. My mouth felt like a cotton-lined cave. While I was in rehabilitation, my physical therapy occupied six hours a day for six days a week. I was constantly exhausted. And I was unable to talk with my friends because I slept through their visits!
After those first six months of therapy in the hospital and another six months at home with a live-in caregiver, I developed the ability to swallow without choking, and I was able to move without assistance. I also began to talk clearly enough to be understood. But for a while I stuttered so badly that I couldn't say my own name. Now, when I pray each day, I pray out loud. This has turned out to be my best speech therapy!
Within a couple of years, I was able to preach again, but my speech, vision, and balance made it a challenge. To make it easier, I memorized my sermons. The wonderful support I got from Ken and my children made all the difference!
It has been very hard, though, to lose my independence. I still can't dress myself, so I have to get up according to Ken's schedule. When going out, I rate places in my mind by how handy their bathrooms are.… During all of this, I couldn't have lived one hour without Jesus. Because of my handicap, I cannot live one moment, one hour, or one day on my own.
My stroke came on so suddenly—without any warning. I had never had high blood pressure or high cholesterol, nor a family history of stroke. So it took quite a bit of time for me to adjust. I felt that I had been mowed down in midstream. I had lost my independence in my prime. I had lost my life as I knew it. I felt trapped inside a body that would no longer function.
Since then, my life has changed. I have learned that God values not what I do, but the time I spend with him. He let all the "doing" fall away. Now I spend a lot of time "being" with God. I read and pray and contemplate. I even sing to God! And I am able to read for pleasure without feeling guilty anymore.”
People are created to have relationship, and the primary relationship is between us and our maker. Today in prayer, thank Christ that you were made to fellowship with Him and seek to draw closer to Him this day.
“The stronger your fellowship with God, the stronger your fellowship with people can become. The greater the distance between you and God, the more distance there will be between you and His people.” – Chris Talton
God’s Word: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN
Marie J. Wiebe, an ordained minister for the Evangelical Covenant Church in Camarillo, California, describes her difficult recovery from a massive stroke:
“My long and tiring road to recovery began in a hospital rehabilitation facility. I required maximum assistance, needing two attendants to roll me over in bed and help me to sit up. I also needed them to transfer me to my wheelchair and bedside commode. Initially, I was so weak that even keeping my eyes open for more than a few seconds required maximum effort. I was unable to swallow. Therefore, I was allowed no liquids, and was not able to brush my teeth for three months. My mouth felt like a cotton-lined cave. While I was in rehabilitation, my physical therapy occupied six hours a day for six days a week. I was constantly exhausted. And I was unable to talk with my friends because I slept through their visits!
After those first six months of therapy in the hospital and another six months at home with a live-in caregiver, I developed the ability to swallow without choking, and I was able to move without assistance. I also began to talk clearly enough to be understood. But for a while I stuttered so badly that I couldn't say my own name. Now, when I pray each day, I pray out loud. This has turned out to be my best speech therapy!
Within a couple of years, I was able to preach again, but my speech, vision, and balance made it a challenge. To make it easier, I memorized my sermons. The wonderful support I got from Ken and my children made all the difference!
It has been very hard, though, to lose my independence. I still can't dress myself, so I have to get up according to Ken's schedule. When going out, I rate places in my mind by how handy their bathrooms are.… During all of this, I couldn't have lived one hour without Jesus. Because of my handicap, I cannot live one moment, one hour, or one day on my own.
My stroke came on so suddenly—without any warning. I had never had high blood pressure or high cholesterol, nor a family history of stroke. So it took quite a bit of time for me to adjust. I felt that I had been mowed down in midstream. I had lost my independence in my prime. I had lost my life as I knew it. I felt trapped inside a body that would no longer function.
Since then, my life has changed. I have learned that God values not what I do, but the time I spend with him. He let all the "doing" fall away. Now I spend a lot of time "being" with God. I read and pray and contemplate. I even sing to God! And I am able to read for pleasure without feeling guilty anymore.”
People are created to have relationship, and the primary relationship is between us and our maker. Today in prayer, thank Christ that you were made to fellowship with Him and seek to draw closer to Him this day.
“The stronger your fellowship with God, the stronger your fellowship with people can become. The greater the distance between you and God, the more distance there will be between you and His people.” – Chris Talton
God’s Word: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN
posted by Devotional E-Mail | 7:01 PM
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