It’s Sunday morning again. My neighbour Elizabeth who is eighty two years old, has just finished playing Worship music in her front room. I can listen and join with her in Spirit next door.
She played the organ for many years in a large church down town in Belfast. She lead the congregation in Worship to Our Heavenly Father every Sunday for many years till her retirement.
Her front room is her Cathedral and I am her congregation.
Back in December Elizabeth had a few setbacks. She strained her shoulders as she stretched to do some housework. The doctors diagnosed arthritis. She took prescribed medication.
Her hands and wrists were so sore she stopped playing her music. The piano fell silent. I visited her and encouraged her. She asked me to pray.
To add to her difficulties she fell when out walking. She fractured her left hand finger and was bruised all over. She had a lonely Christmas, without her usual invite out for Christmas Day.
Elizabeth is a fighter. She is an overcomer. She trusts in God who has been her companion all her days. She is healed from all pain. She is playing her piano again. Elizabeth is like the snowdrop that appears again after dark days.
Her praises to God ring out in my street in Belfast. As a Chorus goes “God’s not dead, no He is alive.” The big Churches may be closed down but Praise is still happening in Elizabeth’s front room.
Good morning friends across the nations. How are you today?
It’s Valentine weekend. Songs of love are played on the radio. Desire and hope for love are stirred in our hearts. Love is in the air. Will I get a Valentine Card? Does someone secretly admire me?
I did have those teenage dreams. I did get a Valentine Card. My heart was stirred with love. I had met my husband Brendan the previous summer. He is still very romantic, kind, giving and forgiving.
Fifty three years on my heart is stirred with love. Brendan and I were celebrating with some of our family the birth of twin grand daughters to Ruth and Stuart. It’s been a roller coaster week. Thank you Nora and Colin for the lovely meal.
My girls were looking down memory lane. One remembered with tears being bullied by the vice principal of her school. Another was caught by another school’s vice principal smoking at break time. Stresses and joys of living in a big family were recalled with more tears and laughter.
It hasn’t been easy for Brendan and I to rear a big family and still be alive. My heart was broken many times; children leaving home, difficulty in my marriage or sickness. My children asked me “Do you remember that?” as they recall some difficult incident. I was busy rearing the next child or making dinner. I wasn’t aware of things going on behind the scenes.
My husband thought if I had HRT medication it would make it more easier for him to live with me. Despite our love for each other we did have our difficulties in our twenties, thirties and fourties. So HRT was not the solution then or now. Forgiveness and love sets the captive heart free.
No I dont have dementia either because I don’t recall difficult times. I told my daughter a story recently about walking down my street. We moved here one year ago. It was dusk and I glanced through a window where the blinds had not been drawn. It looked homely. I turned back. It was my house! My daughter wanted to bring me to the optician to get my eyes seen to and was worried about my mind.
As I drove back home last night the reality hit me. My heart is not broken any more. Jesus has healed my heart. He was with me in all my troubles and he delivered me out of them all. He has restored my body soul and spirit. He had caused me to live to see my children’s children.
The scripture in Isaiah 61 is true. He healed the broken hearts and binds up their wounds. He gives a garment of praise instead of despair.
For anyone of you today who has a broken heart because of disappointment, loss or sickness don’t despair. Jesus is acquainted with your grief. Bring your troubles to His cross. He will pour in His love and heal you and bless you.
“Keep right on to the end of the road, keep right on to the end. If you are tired and weary still journey on round the bend.” Lyrics by Harry Lauder.
Healed of Cancer. Angela McCauley 