Monday Morning Memo: Another Life Detour

Warning:  today’s devotional…isn’t a devotional.  It’s another life update.  If you aren’t interested…that’s fine!  I just thought I would warn you before you get too far “in”…

 

A fact about me that some of you don’t know.  I’ve been coughing for over a year.  12 months. Over 365 days.  To say it has been frustrating…would be an understatement.

 

Last year I was diagnosed with various illnesses.  Sinus infection…bronchitis…different things which might explain why I was coughing…but after every round of antibiotics, the cough would return.  An x-ray was taken and it came back that my lungs were clear, which of course confused us.  So, my doctor decided in January to order a CT scan and lo and behold…double pneumonia was discovered.  

 

I then was given five rounds of antibiotics, with three of those rounds being double antibiotics, meaning two different drugs at the same time.  Each round helped, but within a week of ending it…the cough came back and once again…I felt miserable.

 

During this time, I also dealt with another symptom, which was times of having difficulty getting my breath.  Different positions of sitting or lying down on my back would make me struggle to open my airways, so I would have to find a position to open things up so I could take a full breath.  If you’ve ever had that happen, you know it isn’t a fun situation to be in.

 

Next, I was sent to a pulmonologist and he said we needed to do a bronchoscopy so samples could be taken to determine what exactly was in my lungs.  This procedure was done in March and we were shocked to find out that I didn’t just have pneumonia…I had MRSA pneumonia.  How I got this is still a mystery.  New medicines were prescribed which made me nauseous 24 hours a day.  It was brutal for two weeks, but if it worked, it would be worth it.  But once again…after I finished the medicine…symptoms returned.

 

A different medicine was then prescribed that again, made me feel better while I was taking it. Unfortunately, history repeated itself and the days of feeling better were short-lived.

 

A second CT scan was then taken and we were happy to receive the news that my left lung had finally cleared and we just had the right lung yet to treat.  I was then given another two rounds of the previous medicine…each round lasting two weeks.

 

A week ago today, while on that second round, I returned once again for another CT scan to see our progress.  Unfortunately, the results came back a few hours later saying that there was worsening of the mucus buildup in my airways.  At this point, I wasn’t sleeping well at all because I struggled to find a position where I could breathe easily.  Frustration was at an all-time high and I contacted the doctor to see what could be done.  He instructed me to get to the ER because I needed to be hospitalized to get to the bottom of my illness.

 

I sure hadn’t planned to be admitted to the hospital last week, but then again, life doesn’t always go as planned.  I returned home Thursday evening, and I wish I could say that all answers were found…but they weren’t.  Some things have been ruled out, they believe the MRSA is pretty much gone and we may have a possible working theory to explore concerning my airways…but we still feel like we are walking in the dark.  Our next step is pulmonary function testing which they hope will give us definitive answers and enable the doctor to put together a plan of action.

 

Oh, how I wish I could tell you that I have handled this life detour without complaining…but I can’t. I wish I could say that I haven’t gotten discouraged or frustrated…but my family will tell you that isn’t true.  There have been tears, anger and many days where my energy level has been pathetic.  Those who know me well, know that being slowed down isn’t something my personality accepts well…especially after just coming through the healing process of two Achilles tendon surgeries 

 

I’ve told friends that if God is trying to teach me something, I sure wish I would learn it!  What I do know is that He has been faithful.  He hasn’t left us…He isn’t wringing His hands wondering what is wrong in my body.  He already knows and in His timing…I’m sure we will find out.  In the meantime…we will work on trusting and depending on Him to walk with us every step of the way.

 

I’m not sharing all this with you today for sympathy, because I know that each of you also carry burdens which are heavy…so I am not alone.  I’m sharing this with you because I am very tired…mentally and physically.  As a result, I’ve decided to take a short break from writing my Monday Morning Memo.  At this point, my plan is to take off the rest of June and probably July and then will reevaluate at that time.  I just feel like I need some time to rest my mind and allow Him to refuel me.

 

Thank you all so much for your love and support.  I have received SO many encouraging words concerning my devotionals and each one has meant the world to me.  You all are such a blessing and I’ll be praying that the Lord will bless you with many warm, beautiful summer days to bask in His sunshine!

 

Until next time…remember…you are all LOVED!

Monday Morning Memo: Back to Basics 101

I happen to love the old hymns…AND the newer choruses.   I know this has been a “hot topic” in many churches over the years and unfortunately has split many congregations.  I believe they all have their place in our daily lives along with our time of corporate worship…and God can use both to speak to us as we worship Him.

 

One of my favorite hymns is “My Jesus I Love Thee”.  Let me share the words with you:

 

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

 

Reading through these words made me conclude that we often make discipleship training too difficult.  As a result, we have many Christians going through life not having a clue as to what a truly devoted follower of Christ should look like.   To me this is tragic and very disturbing.  We have Christians who look no different than those who do not profess to have a relationship with Him.   They are attending the same movies, watching the same television shows, telling the same jokes, cheating on their spouse and backstabbing at work to move up the ladder.  With their mouth they acknowledge their Savior, but their actions don’t back up their words.

 

What we need to emphasize to followers of Christ is that their responsibility is to concentrate on their relationship with Him.  If the relationship is not where it should be, then fruit will not be seen in their life.   Now at this point you may be thinking, “Well duh, LuAnn, everybody knows that!”  Do they?  Do you?

 

Let me explain.  If we really believe the words to the song I included, then our walk should prove it.  If we truly love our Jesus and desire to turn all our sin over to Him, then that should be our guide as to how we live.  When we get up in the morning, if we truly love our Jesus, then there should be no place for mistreating our spouse or our children.  If we truly love our Jesus, then we should never desire to step on other people in our workplace just to obtain a higher status.  If we truly love our Jesus, then we should never desire to attend a function where we know Jesus would not approve.  If we truly love our Jesus, then the thought of cheating on our spouse should never be an option.  If we truly love our Jesus, our priorities and our schedule should be an outgrowth of our love for Him.

 

What we fail to realize is that the choices we make each day make it obvious to others what condition our relationship with Him is in.  No one has to be a rocket scientist to see whether we truly love our Jesus or not, just by listening to our words and watching our actions.   Not only does it show others whether or not we love Him, it also refutes all the excuses we can muster.  No longer can we blame our parents, our children, or our friends for our behavior, because they are not responsible for our relationship with our Jesus; only we are. 

 

I’m wondering if maybe Discipleship 101 could just be:  Love Jesus.  If we truly love Him, then how we live every day should be an outpouring of that love.  It really is as simple as that.

 

How much do you love Jesus today?  Maybe a better question would be, “Do others know how much you love your Jesus?”  If they don’t, then maybe you need to re-think your priorities and make some changes in your schedule this week.  When the right choices are made, we can then sing without reservation, “If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ‘tis NOW.”

 

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

John 14:15

Monday Morning Memo: Being the Church

This blog post won’t win me a popularity contest.  In fact, there may be some of my readers who will decide that checking my latest ramblings each week will need to be erased from their to-do list.  That’s ok.  I don’t write to be popular or to make people like me.  I write what God lays on my heart to share and sometimes that is easy…and sometimes it is not. 

 

Some things I am seeing in the Christian community trouble me.  I’m sure they aren’t anything new and I’m sure others have witnessed it too.  But I’m troubled by the fact that very few are willing to address what they are seeing because, heaven forbid, we just might step on some toes and well, that just isn’t done.  I’ve had my toes stepped on so many times they are often black and blue and while it doesn’t feel good at the time, it has been that pain which has often steered me back on the path which God has intended for me.

 

There just seems to be an overwhelming number of Christians who are being very vocal on condemning the church.  Many of these people have been hurt in the church and are now rallying the troops with others who have been hurt and as a result, have given up on the church.  They’ve sworn off ever darkening the door of any building because their needs weren’t being met, and they were treated in an ungodly way.

 

Do I believe they have been hurt?  I’m sure they have been.  Is that right?  Of course not.  No one should ever be hurt by his or her fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, but unfortunately it happens.  I’ve had it happen to me and the pain it caused was deep and agonizing.  And if I’m honest, I’m sure I have hurt others over the years and that is something of which I am not proud.

 

But does that give me the right to give up on the church?  I don’t think it does.  While it may cause me to leave a certain building and worship in another building, I don’t believe giving up on the church is an option.  For one thing, the four walls that may surround me and my brothers and sisters in Christ are not the church.  We are the church.  Each one of us who has accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior are the church and to give up on those who make up God’s family is a travesty. 

 

No church is perfect, and I am the first to admit that fact.  Why?  Because no one who is part of the “church” is perfect.  We all make mistakes and at times, we all act in ways which aren’t pleasing to God and that’s why we all need grace.  But again, that doesn’t give us the right to give up, throw our hands in the air and decide that the “church” isn’t for us.

 

Unfortunately, I think the pandemic was a contributing factor to this “condition” and it has continued ever since.  For one thing, I’m afraid many decided during that time that they could just watch church at home…whenever it was convenient…instead of going to the actual building.  Now please, I understand that some have legitimate reasons for not being able to attend in person.  But, I believe there are many others who have had no real reason why they couldn’t attend…they just made the decision that it was easier to stay in their comfortable chair.

 

What must those who haven’t accepted Christ as their Savior think of our decision to throw the “church” under the bus?  Will it make them ever want to have anything to do with becoming a member of Christ’s family?  I’m afraid not.  People are watching and since all of us make up the “church”, I think we need to begin doing everything we can to be the church.   And that means our overwhelming desire needs to be to become a fully devoted follower of Christ who strives to look more and more like Him.

 

If you have read this far, I think I owe you a thank you.  This has not been a feel-good post, but one that I think is timely.  Friends, please believe me when I say that I’m not trying to cause more hurt on those of you who are already hurting.  My heart grieves for you.  I have been in your shoes, and I am SO thankful that I didn’t give up in my search to find a place where, fortunately, the people aren’t perfect. That is a good thing, because if they were, they wouldn’t accept me with all my faults and failures.  

 

If you have given up on the “church”, I urge you to give us another try.  If you haven’t totally given up on the “church” but have found it easier to stay in your recliner…I urge you to get up and come worship with us in person.  I think you just might be surprised at how much better you will feel after you have worshipped in person alongside your brothers and sisters. 

 

Let’s strive to make sure our focus is not on how we have been treated or on the actions of others.  Instead, let’s focus on being the child of God He wants us to be.  Then, and only then, will the “church” be alive and well and reaching those who need to know our Jesus.

 

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:23-25