Everyone flourishes under praise. When I was spoon feeding my grandchild this evening I congratulated her on each spoonful she accepted, chewed and swallowed. Before we knew she had the whole bowlful finished. My son was able to enjoy his dinner while I looked after Ava. Normally she would help herself. Dinner would be spread all around the table and on the floor. Dinner time was a delight and peaceful without having to persuade Ava to finish her dinner. No one cared about the mess. What we did enjoy was our meal together at grand dad’s house.
Our two sons and their families are visiting from Canada. We are getting together for our son Patrick’s wedding next week. I am alive to celebrate my son’s wedding and to enjoy my sons visiting from Canada.
When I praise my husband he doesn’t know what hit him. A light turns on and he would do anything for me. But sadly I forget too often to thank or praise him. Recently a friend was praising me for my work and it was very humbling to accept her thanks and approval. Often one is negative instead of appreciating what a friend, daughter or son does, or value their worth. I am often guilty of seeing what someone doesn’t do instead of praising them for who he or she is.
I think praise for someone comes out of a heart of love. I have experienced the love of my family and friends when I was healed from Fourth stage bowel cancer. They prayed to the One whom they believed and hoped would bring my healing. I thank and value the help of doctors but they admit they can treat cancer but do not offer a complete cure. The One is Jesus. When he was on earth he went about healing all those with diseases.
I have come to experience God’s complete healing from this deadly disease in my life. He’s a God who answers prayer.
I am completely indebted to God for my life. I now find it easy to thank and praise God every day and I want to tell others what a wonderful God he is. Expressing praise in words and song from the heart to God brings an intimacy with the One who loves me.
“Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise.”
Psalm 48:1 NIV
He returns his peace and love to me. I am safe in his care where no enemy can touch me. Other peoples’s negative words roll off me like water off a bird’s waterproof feathers. When I am in difficult situations I am not afraid. From this safe position I can value and praise others rather than express my frustration and negativity.
My heart has been changed by knowing God’s love and praise for me. He values me. Jesus lifted me up from the pit of despair, depression, disease, fear and death. He said he can set me free because he died on the cross 2000 years ago to forgive my wrongdoing, to heal my disease and give me life and a hope and a future. He conquered death by his own death on the cross. We don’t have to die prematurely. God promises three score and ten years of life.
“Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”
Psalm 90:10 NIV
I am now living in that future, a future of restoration, life, peace and love. He is a God to be trusted and given praise.
Healed of Cancer. Angela McCauley 