Suffering and Sin: not always go hand-in-hand

This is part two of the Three Day Quote Challenge I’m participating in. Part one can be found HERE and the first post explaining it all HERE.

The other day I was doing some devotional reading on the ninth chapter of the Gospel of John. The devotional was speaking about Jesus’ teaching on the man who was blinded from birth, verses 1-3:

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭1-3‬ ESV)

The devotion also included several quotes from various theologians and preachers, some you may be familiar with:

“Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins–but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. Christ, who perfectly knew the secret springs of the divine counsels, told them two things concerning such calamities: that they are not always inflicted as punishments of sin–and that they are sometimes intended purely for the glory of God, and the manifesting of His works.” Matthew Henry

“Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children’s graces, to make them shine the better. There are some of your graces which would never be discovered, if it were not for your trials. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. The heart of a Christian is Christ’s garden, and his graces are as so many sweet spices and flowers, when His Spirit blows upon them, to send forth a sweet savor.” Charles Spurgeon

“Stars shine brightest in the darkest night. Afflictions ripen the saints’ graces. Gold looks the brighter for scouring. Just so, afflictions are but our Father’s goldsmiths who are working to add pearls to our crowns. Spices smell sweetest when pounded–and juniper smells sweeter in the fire.” Thomas Brooks 

“Some graces grow best in winter. Grace withers without adversity.” Samuel Rutherford

“The lowly graces of the Spirit thrive best under crosses.” Daniel Rowland

“The Lord’s jewels need grinding, and cutting, and polishing.” R.C. Chapman

And, finally, one I can particularly relate to:

“Grievous afflictions are not always sent as a scourge for sins committed–but sometimes as preventatives from sins. Paul’s thorn prevented his pride.” John Leland

I, too, once placed far too much emphasis – pride – on what I had accomplished in my recovery. If you’ve read some of my story on my About and Maybe I Should’ve Started Here pages you know I’ve been through a couple of surgeries and God has healed me to the point I can walk again; I still need braces and a cane and have chronic pain but I’m not in a wheelchair. Some will say “If God is capable of anything and He healed you, why did He only do it ‘halfway’?”. The answer is simple: For my own good. I know that it wasn’t “me” that did anything, it was all Him but I need to be reminded of that, humbled, in order to make sure I give the praise, credit and glory to Him who it belongs to: God. And I’ll gladly live with my “thorn in the flesh” to be the man He has made me today rather than be 100% physically healed and have to go back to the “old man” I was. 

Holy Hands: a tanka/haiga

This one took some pondering for me; many times the ideas and words flow like a free stream. But perhaps until I read some of the other writers pieces I didn’t comprehend the idea in the haiku penned so very long ago by Basho or his unnamed student. Please see the original prompt post published at CDHK more information (and maybe to clarify my preamble).

  

holy hands lifted
raised high in praise and worship
humbly we bow down

before our amazing God
amazing grace gifted free

Little Victories

There have been many changes in the past several weeks to my life, as you know. Some of them have been huge changes and others smaller ones. I had what I call a “little victory” Tuesday and wanted to share it.

As my diabetes began to effect my body, unchecked for so many months, I began to have lots of side effects that I thought were normal for one reason or another. One of these was my vision worsening. Not too long ago I had to buy stronger reading glasses, figuring that age was taking its toll on my eyes. In August after I was diagnosed I realized that the disease not age were causing this vision trouble; it was much worse than just needing stronger readers by that point, too. I hoped that as I took control of the situation my vision, and other symptoms, would get better, maybe even return to “normal”. Tuesday I was able to buy another new pair of reading glasses – in the old strength I used to use!

Sometimes we overlook the small things, like this one. But they add up to enormous achievements when stop and savor all the little victories- and sometimes that’s just the thing we need to keep us going. God is good and He provides just what we need, just when we need it; we only need to notice His blessings when they come so we can appreciate them and thank Him.

Energy!

The last couple of days have been so much better- no reading below 80 mg/dL, perfectly normal. Today has been especially good, with energy to actually do something with nearly passing out from trying. I rider-mowed the front yard, cleaned the mower’s deck and tires, changed out our busted water hose for a new one, put it all away (even bagging up the old hose), and got my tonneau cover put back on my truck; granted the last item was a 5-10 minute task for a “normal” person but it took me closer to 20 (glad I bought the lightweight, easy on/off version!). And all of this before noon!

I have high hopes that this change I’ve made in my meds is going to be the right one – and a good one for me. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had the get up and go to accomplish so much in a single day, let alone in a few hours. With God’s help, I feel one big step closer to being the master over this disease.