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Thursday, August 31, 2017

Your Dying Spouse 357 - A Fine Sense Of Abandon {FMF}

And, yeah, another personal worst last night. My screaming brought poor Barb running, and she stayed by my side until the spasms in my gut passed. She said I was screaming loud enough to wake the dead, or at least our not-close neighbours.

And she had to go to work today. She wonders how long I can keep going.

I, in turn, wondered "How much more will I have to give up? What's the final cost here gonna be?"

The answer is, everything. (And yes, this is Five Minute Friday. The prompt is neighbour. It's in the first paragraph.)

We give everything, especially our hearts, to Jesus, and in return we gain a kingdom.

Thing is, if Someone hands you a kingdom, you've really got to take hold of it with both hands. It would kind of hurt if you let it slip, and a whole complete kingdom landed on your little toe.

And embarrassing. Imagine all those angels laughing.

So we have to come to Him empty handed. We have to let go of the things we would most like to keep hold of, and trust Him when He says that nothing good will be lost.

We can let go. He's got this.

But what are we really releasing? I think it's our sense of control. The nagging back-of-the-mind thought that, well, just in case God's busy elsewhere, we' better fill His shoes.

So we worry about our spouses and our health, our children and our parents and our dogs (my hand raised, here!) and the hobbies we love.

We worry about our ministries and our friends and our jobs.

And did my daughter really just get a nose-piercing???

I believe that God wants us to let go the control, and live with a sense of the abandon that it implies. You can't undo the piercing (is that a BONE through your nose, young lady?) and you can't worry yourself to health.

You do your best, but after your due diligence, you've got to let God handle things.

And no looking over His shoulder, either.

It's easier for me, I think; it becomes ever-clearer that I'm not going to see the golden years of retirement (and just as well, I'm not made for that stuff). My hands are being forced open by circumstance...I have to let go of so many things.

I have to let go of the books I'll never finish writing...and I can. Instead of "I've got to get this into the world!" I figure, well, God read it already, He knows how it'll end, and He's the reviewer I want to please anyway.

I have to let go of the aeroplane whose parts surround me. In the past I imagined it complete, and imagined the thrill of flying it...but now the greater thrill is in the completion of one more bracket, one more rib, as an end in itself...and a worthwhile one, because Jesus, after all, was a craftsman of wood before He turned to crafting Salvation.

I have to hope my wife will meet a good man, and soon, and find love that will help her ride through the sorrow.

I hope the dogs will, in that man, find a kind and loving friend.

And so on.

I know now that I could never control a desired ending...and in letting go of control I am finding that, like the Grinch, my heart grew three sizes.

I can love Barbara more, love the dogs more, by putting into God's hands what's best for them.

I can't be their Saviour; Someone Else already has that job.

And He is pretty good at it.

The musical accompaniment today is inspired by by friend (and FMF colleague) Leigh and her wonderful blog, Tokens of Goodness.

Aside from a wonderful sense of faith and brilliant writing, she's also got a picture of one my favourite singers, who will now perform for us...



I do ask that you be patient with my slow replies to your comments (which we treasure). I'm trying to stay caught up.

Still hoping to get the new and improved version of Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart up and running in the near future. Just haven't had the energy to do it yet...but if you would like to read it, please say so in your comment and I'd be glad to send you a PDF (which should fit your Kindle).



I have another blog, "Starting The Day With Grace". The focus is a grace quote from someone you might not expect (like, say Mick Jagger) and a short commentary. I hope you'll join me.



Marley update... been moved to a sanctuary, and Bay County will revise their 'dangerous dog' codes.

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

And marley has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.


If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.









50 comments:

  1. Awww, Andrew. I'm swallowing around a lump in my throat. Such a profoundly beautiful, hope-filled post, my friend. It seems like the letting go of everything is the hardest part. And yet, you're so right. When we come to Jesus with empty hands, with no expectations, we discover freedom. And that freedom to live in abandonment? I'm. Not. There. But it sounds like you're getting ever closer. You inspire me, my friend. Words cannot express.

    Please know that I am praying for you and Barb. And the dogs. You are a blessing.

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    1. jeanne, thank you so much for this. It was a hard road to get to this point, but there is freedom in the letting go, especially as I was grasping things that were never mine to hold.

      We all truly, truly appreciate the prayers...and they are needed. Things just aren't going well.

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  2. "You can't worry yourself into health." AMEN. Thank you for your insight - it is uniquely yours and it touched me tonight.

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    1. Paula, I am so glad that you found something that resonated here! Thank you for this!

      And thank you so much for being here.

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  3. Releasing everything in exchange for the kingdom of God - what an amazing gift!

    "We have to let go of the things we would most like to keep hold of, and trust Him when He says that nothing good will be lost." -- so encouraging. Thank you!

    As always, I am praying for you and Barbara. I know I say that a lot, but it's because I pray for the two of you often!

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    1. It is a wonderful gift, isn't it, Rachel? :)

      Thank you so much for the prayers. They are very needed, as things are getting worse...and you can never say it too often!!!

      And you are in our prayers, daily.

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  4. Raising 5 sons- that was enough to teach me to let go and let God. It took me a while. I'm a slow learner. I joke that God laughs every day over what he has given me - but underneath my joke, I know God is solemn with a gentle smile, knowing that he knew it would cause me to realize I can't - but he can - and that is one of his saving graces. I particularly like this set of sentences you wrote: "So we have to come to Him empty handed. We have to let go of the things we would most like to keep hold of, and trust Him when He says that nothing good will be lost." That went straight to my heart. All I could think was, "Amen, brother! Amen!"

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    1. Maryleigh, it absolutely makes my day to hear that something I wrote went straight to your heart. Truly!

      And I think that you're right, there is a gentle solemnity to God...until He sees something REALLY funny. Then, watch out!

      Thank you so much for being here!

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  5. "But what are we really releasing? I think it's our sense of control. The nagging back-of-the-mind thought that, well, just in case God's busy elsewhere, we' better fill His shoes."

    Wow, Andrew, this really got me. I am often the queen of the back up plan. Just as you said, having a plan B in case doesn't come through. (As if any plan B of mine could possibly compare. I needed this important reminder today that I need to let go.

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    1. Bethany, I can sure relate. I always had a Plan B...and now there's often no room even for Plan A. It just has to be placed in God's hands.

      So glad you're here! Thank you!

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  6. "I can't be their Saviour; Someone Else already has that job." Exactly. Yes! Andrew, your imagery of releasing Self to experience the kingdom is beautifully profound — and timely. God is using you to speak Truth through your pain. Prayers for you and yours continue...

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    1. Susan, thank you so much for this affirmation, and most especially for your prayers.

      They are sorely needed.

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  7. "We have to let go of the things we would most like to keep hold of, and trust Him when He says that nothing good will be lost. We can let go. He's got this." Amen, Andrew. Letting go can be hard sometimes, but I think it's because we still think we have some bit of control. When we finally let go and trust God, we are so much more free. Being married for 43 years and counting, raising 7 kids, I've learned to let go little by little. I'm much more content when I let God do His job and not get in the way. May He continue to help us all trust Him more and open our hearts and hands to receive all He has for us. My prayers are with you and Barb and I thank God for what you mean to me and the rest of this Five Minute Friday community. Blessings and love!

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    1. Gayl, I think you've got this exactly right, that little by little is the way to do it, to get used to letting go.

      We so appreciate these loving words, and most especially your prayers.

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  8. Andrew, as I read your blog it takes me on your personal journey through a private hell of great physical suffering and loss of function, but it also takes me to your foundational place of great grace and abundance . . .by seeing what you are experiencing in a spiritual enlivening of your soul and spirit. You have learned through the journey, and given this freely to others. Thank you. We are blessed by this. GBU. STILL PRAYING. Still hoping. STILL BELIEVING!

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    1. Norma, my dear friend, thank you so much for this! For me, at least, that foundational place is worth the hell, and could not have been reached any other way.

      Thank you so much for the prayers...and I, too, am still hoping, and believing!

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  9. I agree, letting go and handing it over to God is not easy. I definitely fall into thinking that my worrying is achieving something even when deep down I know it's not, but there is a freedom in letting go of control. Thanks for another thoughtful post- continuing to pray.

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    1. Lesley, me too! I often feel that my worrying is 'good work', somehow the diligent thing to do. Hard to get over that.

      Thank you so much for your prayers, and for being here.

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    1. Jan, I don't know what to say except thank you.

      And I am so grateful for your friendship.

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  11. Thank you Andrew, I know so many will learn from your process of letting go. I was,struck by the idea of what we see as losing things in surrender, but then this glorious Kingdom awaits. May your heart stay wide open to let love flow in and out until you meet Jesus.

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    1. Julie, thank YOU! I am so honoured by your gracious words, truly.

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  12. "You do your best, but after your due diligence, you've got to let God handle things." That is so true. When we are able to distinguish what's ours to do and what's God's, and give Him room to do His thing, things go so much better. It takes a long time to learn that, I think. Thank you for this, Andrew. I appreciate your lived-out wisdom.

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    1. Jeannie, I loved the way you put this, giving "Him room to do His thing." It's phrased in a way that's dear to my heart, and it's so very true.

      it does take a long time to learn, and intentionality to KEEP the learning, at least for me.

      Thank you so much for sharing the journey with me, Jeannie.

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  13. Hellacious nights, sounds like, Andrew! I'm so sorry! Don't know what else to say other than it hurts to hear how you hurt, my friend!

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    1. Beth, yes...the nights 9and days) are hellacious. There's no respite, and I no longer expect one.

      But I must meet the situation on its terms, for the only character that will be judged is mine.

      Thank you so much for being here!

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  14. "So we have to come to Him empty handed. We have to let go of the things we would most like to keep hold of, and trust Him when He says that nothing good will be lost." This is my struggle...staying empty handed before my Father - lifting praise hands to Him with no expectation of a reward. I'm not there yet.
    I'm so sorry you are in such pain. And I honestly don't know how you manage to grace all of us with your precious words and insights and still take time to comment on others' blogs. May God bless you with grace and freedom 100 fold as you bless all of us with your encouragement. Lisa

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    1. Lisa, it's a very hard road to be able to keep our hands empty before Him...and he understands. He wants us to let go, little by little.

      I truly appreciate your kind and grace-filled words; comments like these are honestly a HUGe part of what keeps me going.

      This is a team effort, Lisa, and I am so grateful that you are here.

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  15. Almost speechless to read of your physical and emotional pain and willingness to surrender and let go of the wife you adore so much and other blessings you have had. Your strength is amazing and I cannot even imagine what you are going through with such a transition into the unknown and your trust in God getting you there. I feel I am with you somehow in spirit and feeling, though I have not met you. Stay strong Andrew.

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    1. Sophia, thank you! I really had no idea of where this road would lead...and I've found that for me, atleast, the road to heaven had necessarily to lead through hell. My pride and possessiveness had to be burned away, and what hotter fires to do the job?

      I'm so glad you're here with me, Sophia. Ake ake kia kaha - forever, and be strong!

      (That's usually translated as 'Forever strong', but the reality's a bit more nuanced...not a Maori moto slogan, but a benediction.)

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  16. What a gift you are giving to Barb and the dogs by trusting that how will bring someone special after your gone. It takes incredible love and willpower to do that friend. I'm in the 51 spot this week.

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    1. Tara, thank you! I really don't know how I could do anything else, than to commend my wife and canine family to the care of a Godly man.

      I love them with all my heart, and that means that I have to be willing to let them go. A hard and true and in a way glorious lesson.

      I'll be by your site presently!

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  17. Andrew,
    The whole kingdom landing on your little toe? What great contrast...letting something so freeing slip to letting something so confining go. I love how your head works, even though maybe the rest of you doesn't as much as you would like. You have the mind of Christ and you know how to express it! My daughter has tattoos, and I have had to let that go. She had a belly button piercing, but thank God, after two infections she let that go. Im #48 this week. I love the rainbow song. One of my clients I cared for watched the movie almost every day. The song always makes me tear up though, even now. Don't know why.

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    1. Oh, Mary, thank you so much for this uplifting and gracious comment!

      It's hard to watch a kid get tattoos and piercings. I never had any. Scars were enough for me!

      And the song makes me tear up as well. I don't know why either.

      I'll be over at your site before too long. Thanks for being here!

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  18. hi andrew. i loved your post this week. i'm letting go from many of the things you described, but in much slower motion than you. learning to trust GOD with all these things we can't control is a great challenge. truth i need...don't always follow. blessings to you as you struggle and live through another week.

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    1. Martha, it's always so good to see you! Letting go in slow motion is a good thing; God doesn't expect speed, just trust, and He knows that can be slow to build for us humans! He understands.

      Blessings back, from all of us!

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  19. There is so much depth here... I must remain... silent. Thank you, Andrew.

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    1. Tondra, your presence here is a song. Thank you so much!

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  20. Thank you for the Muppet song, I loved that song and reminder! So sweet!!! Who doesn't love a rainbow and see it as a huge God sign! :)

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    1. Sophia, I am so glad you enjoyed it! I've always loved 'Rainbow Connection'...and yes, I do see rainbows as a God-sign too! :)

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  21. "So we have to come to Him empty handed. We have to let go of the things we would most like to keep hold of, and trust Him when He says that nothing good will be lost."

    Nothing good will be lost. What an amazing God we have. Thank you for your post Andrew. I don't always get to write, but I am always touched. Thank you also for sharing the Rainbow Connection. I remember seeing the Muppet Movie in a theater as a small child and that song has always made me smile. It was also the first song on my iPod shuffle from WAY back when. God bless you.

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    1. Kelly, thank you so much for this lovely affirmation...and I am so glad you enjoyed 'Rainbow Connection'!

      We truly have an amazing God.

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  22. My hands have been forced open more times than I can count. There is so much to learn from this. Thank you, Andrew.

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    1. Amber, me too! To the point where I wish my hands just had a quick-release.

      Thank you so much for being here (and I LOVED your post this week).

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  23. Andrew, so sorry I haven't been here lately. I've been doing exactly that – a lot of opening my hands to God the past couple weeks and letting Him have what I don't need... but more along the line of giving Him my hurt, bitterness, and even some anger. Letting go to let God is not an easy thing to do as a human.

    I've always loved Kermit. Rainbows may be illusions... but God is for real.

    Prayers as always to you, Barbara, and the woofers.

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    1. Diana, you're so right...opening our hands is perhaps the most difficult thing we can do. And I am in the same place, finding that sometimes the things to which I hold the hardest are the poisons of hurt and bitterness.

      I'm so glad you like the song. It's one of my favourites, and Kermit's voice is perfect for it.

      So glad you are here, and many thanks, from all of us, for the prayers.

      Especially from Barb and the woofers; I was very ill, and they had to deal with the stress.

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  24. God's love, grace, peace, comfort and above all His presence be with you and your sweet wife in such tangible ways as you walk through this valley.

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    1. Elizabeth, thank you so much; this means a ot to us today, a this was a very rough weekend.

      I'm very grateful for your company on the journey.

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  25. Andrew,
    sorry I'm a little late to your party but it's funny. You see, that's the same lesson that God has been walking me through. I can pinpoint the beginning of my journey in actually wanting to learn the lesson. It was April 2014. And, I joined FMF in 2015 and found your friendship there.

    I am thankful for all you are learning and sharing here. It's invaluable for others. God has been shaping you and since you're stubborn, He's using some pretty rough grit sandpaper which you semi-happily embrace because you're still sassy. ;)
    Some of us are a little softer, so he uses a finer grit to sand off those rough edges that need to be removed. Still, we all need refining.
    The Israeli nation is entering a Year of Jubilee on their calendar. It's full of hope. Full of redemption. I pray that our Nation also repents and receives a year of redemption and blessing. I know that the school year ahead of me is filled with hope and courage because of the year I passed through last year. God's word for me this season is "Rest".

    Rest in His control. Sit in His lap and bring the popcorn, watching it all play out and prayerfully bringing any concerns directly to Him since none of the rest of us can fix anything anyway.

    :) You are a dear friend, and I'm so glad to be friends with Barbara as well. She and I have some great similarities. Perhaps if we get to visit my relatives in Tucson, I can make a way to meet her in the middle of there and where you are.

    I love the heart God gave you, Andrew. It has become quite golden, which means His reflection beams in your heart and is almost blinding. You're so close to being perfected that I'm jealous to tears. My day awaits, but until you're actually gone, know we pray and champion you from here in smokey Oregon.
    Love,
    Tammy

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    1. Tammy, I can't tell you how deeply you've touched my heart here, and through the last two years. You've both challenged me and held me up when I could not go on. I am so blessed by your friendship! (And your family photo is up on the entertainment center - which I actually built when I was well enough - and we see you guys every day.)

      I know that Barb would love to meet you, somehow, someway. And I love Tucson! Probably my favourite city in the whole world. Right up there with Tegucigalpa and Cali!

      You really do me such great honour, Tammy, that all I can say is thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

      Love back, from all of us!

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