“How blessed is the man who has
made the Lord his trust, And has not
turned to the proud nor those who lapsed into falsehood. Many, O Lord my God are the wonders which
Thou has done, and Thy thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with
Thee. If I would declare and speak of
them, they would be too numerous to count.” Psalm 40:1-5
Today’s
WeakDay Devotion will be a bit different.
My friend Debbie died yesterday.
I received a text from her beloved husband, Vern, and have been fighting
mixed emotions ever since.
Debbie
was someone I met for a reason. Well I
met Vern first and she was such a shining part of his life that she was reflected
clearly in his eyes and smile and voice each time he spoke her name. Originally, the connection came from a call to
Australia for some information and I was referred to help him. When I visited home the very next time, I
made sure to meet Vern -- and hence Deb.
FOR A SEASON
The
season part came when we kept up this long-distance business connection and saw
friendships grow. And through the lives
of our mutual friends, our relationship continued to grow. I learned about the passion Deb had for music
and art and fun and an untold number of students; and how she directed her
focus into her own wonderful children to home school them. I sure learned to be amazed at the concept
and reasons and effectiveness of home schooling through her!
A
few years later, I was privileged to host Deb and Vern’s daughter on an
overseas adventure to live in Australia for a couple months. Now children can either mirror the good
qualities of their parents or turn away from them all when they are away. But Deb’s daughter was not only as beautiful
as Deb was outside, she also embodied the amazing grace and charm and sense of
humour that her mother had.
SHARING & CARING
Each
time I had the opportunity to visit home, I would always catch up with this
remarkable family. My last time with
Deb, we went to this amazing, very Southern restaurant for a meal so deep in
cholesterol it was hard to imagine (I wish I could remember what this meal was
called!).
She
had looked forward to having me experience this gustatory wonder and although
we really did not have time to spend that day, thankfully we got up early to
make time and enjoyed every delectable, gooey, dripping bite and laugh together
over dieting failures, cabbages and kings.
HER FAMILY
Her
voice was musical and I can still hear her beautiful and gracious words. She always worked so hard for others and to
make them feel at ease. You can see this
in the blog she and her family wrote as she travelled through this forest
adventure of puzzlement and pain, spiritual growth and evangelism. (Be sure to take time to read some of this
blog (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/
), it will encourage you through any difficulty. She was such a fighter. I am glad to know where she got all that
power!)
Her
home was built around her family! It was
always filled with amazing smells of something cooking or baking. She did crafts that would have featured in
Good Housekeeping and was open with her support of the individuality and creativity
of her children. Her refrigerator gallery
was so big, you could hardly SEE the refrigerator!
She
was, to me, a perfect mother, who cared more for the cultivation, development
and nurturing of the individuals in her family than she did for anything
else! I loved watching her with them and
admired how they related with such love of her!
I am certain Proverbs 31 was written with her in mind.
I
never heard her complain or say anything negative about another...she just
glowed and offered a positive perspective to challenge those around her. I’m sure she had some rough spots in her but
her love just seemed to smooth them out.
HER LOVE OF JESUS
Deb
had such a love of the Lord Jesus Christ and it sustained her when there was
suffering and sorrow and pain most of us will never understand. Reading her words and those of family members
who kept her blog going is pure testimony to grace and faith and trust in God
of all creation and power!
Deb
was a long time, not exactly a lifetime friend...but if I had had the
opportunity, as she became ill with this horrible cancer, I would have wanted to
be with her and care for her and her family as she battled on so bravely and
documented her journey along the way to benefit others who might also walk in
her shoes.
I
long to be home and to spend time with friends I know are in my life for a
reason, a season and a lifetime -- and yet can only send my love across the
many, many miles right now to embrace Vern and family as they consider their
walk together.
Father-God,
you have chosen to take your daughter, Deb, home to be with you; to rest now in
Your care and enjoy the peace and strength of You in her lifetime walk with You. For Deb was Yours for a reason, for seasons
of joy, growth and pain and for a lifetime of eternity with You! Thank You for Your love of my friend and
thank You for letting me have her as a friend.
In Your Son’s Name, amen.
Take
care with love, especially His! Your
servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? Please
send updates! For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time
for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving
Father in action!
PRAISE
& THANKSGIVING: Hans, is enjoying his new-found fellowship and is thankful
for his new job (first full-time role since 2004). Thanks everyone for praying for him. For J&S, special friends, as they begin to manage some
normal life for the first time in years.
Still need a permanent place to live – still in car.
NEW PRAYER
REQUESTS: Be with and comfort those who
loved Deb and those who watch her passing, that the Lord uses this time in a
mighty way!
That those in the
news media do not forget those still without power and heat from super storm Sandy and the volunteers who
are still working tirelessly.
For Linda as she closed her practice
that the Lord will show her which doors to open next after she rests a bit. For Rob
as the Lord works in a new way in his life...protect his health. For Jodie
as she deals with the knife edge of corporate politics. For Kent
& his mom, the doctors have stopped treatment for her cancer and
are making her comfortable. Laura S as she reaches out for
answers, that she finds the Truth. For Rik who just lost his mom.
Adrian, went yesterday to have the first round of
treatments and sent me a text at 1 AM to say he has horrible pain. Please pray for someone nearby to help him or
that the hospital will find a way to let him stay there rather than drive the
hour each way for the treatments. (His
cancer is the same rare type as Deb below with link). I am too far away to help hands-on. Please pray someone will take time to be with
Adrian for the holidays. He’s growing very
tired and the pain meds no longer help. If anyone’s near there, please let me
know. He needs some visitors & love!
That the Lord loves and comforts us through challenges we could not face
without Him and for good friends during times of difficulty.
PRAY
FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: David R doing well through
complicated health challenges. For Jon C, as he meets the
challenges of life after a stroke. Paul NS. Tim
(my little brother) with CPRD, needs financial help, especially with no health
insurance -needs a disability pension. Steve Barns for relief from great pain
and depression. Tyler & Jenna as they continue to care for baby Bexleigh.
For a solution for Audley and
Beverly (she’s disabled from a stroke and needs a carer during the day
so Audley can go out and work). Tim B
with headaches, that his doctor will OK a new procedure for relief. For Carlton
suffering from horrible infections in his bones.
Wisdom
for doctors caring for so many, including Tim,
Doris, David, Gary, Deb, Adrian and Annette’s friend Sue.
ONGOING
JOB RELATED: Barbara’s (sister-in-law) is eager to find new work since
her project ended, especially now. For Tim, my amazing brother, that he
might find satisfying work that he is able to do. Paul
K who is setting up a consultancy. Pray for a new project for me and wisdom and
strength from the Lord to make faith-based decisions.
ONGOING
PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray the Lord’s hand is
dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this
devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His
purposes!
Pray
for PJ. For Annette
as she begins some new career adventures.
Pray for Isaiac Catorce,
his family and ministry in the Philippines. Please pray for Deepak as he struggles through
some challenges and searches for sponsorship for his work. Pray for wisdom of my brother as he deals with
an important matter.
For
Roger as he considers options
for a pledge of heart. Adam who’s becoming involved
with a cult that’s filling many unmet needs. Scott,
for strength as he struggles and grows (for Donna as she encourages him). For David
K, in his studies. For Kevin
(Godly wisdom with his son), Michael.
Elaine
and Jim back in Hong Kong.
PRAY
FOR THE WORLD: God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His
children there and for the many nations suffering from global financial
mismanagement.
*Christ For Real by Charles Price
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