It's so hard for so many people close to me to understand.
I don't mind this. Dying isn't a tragedy.
Everything's alright.
The pain serves a higher purpose; life is Christ, and death is gain, and the process is the opportunity to witness to Christ's love and grace
What love and mercy?
The love that holds me up to find bright sparkles of joy in each day, the antics of the dogs, and the lights of sunrise and sunset, and the stars overhead.
And the grace of being able to rest, when it's too horrible to go on, in an Endurance that doesn't come from me.
Won't you be OK with this, too?
The world will turn without me tonight.
Please pardon my slow response to comments. I do my best, and your comments are really precious to me. Barb is answering many of them now. I'm running on fumes, if you don't mind a macho metaphor.
I'm grateful for the energy to have written this. I'm so glad Barbara's stepped in for many of my posts. I'm really not doing well at all.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, 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.
It IS alright!
ReplyDeleteNomad, it sure is...and I'm privileged beyond words.
DeleteThank you, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteI love you for taking me with you on this raw and honest journey, albeit vicariously.
Rest until you are ready to move on.
And when you go beyond the edge of our small life into Eternity, I hope you meet my brother who completed his journey to Heaven in 2014. You'll like him.
((((Andrew and Barbara))))
Love from Annie in Texas
((((((((((Annie!))))))))))
DeleteWe're so glad for your company; your encouragement is precious, and treasured.
And I'll be looking for your brother.
Love back, from everyone here, dogs included (Daughtrie the Blue Heeler is sitting on my foot as I write this.)
You, brave one, have been a true example of "to live is Christ, to die is gain." We love you.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you made my day. Thank you so much! And we love YOU.
Delete"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich;" ..... You are a wealthy man, Andrew.
ReplyDelete"It's so hard for so many people close to me to understand." And I would say, I'm not sure you understand how much of a blessing you and your perspective and your words have become to so many of us. Thank you for sharing your gold with us, Andrew.
Jane, I am indeed the luckiest man alive, and my blessings overflow.
DeleteAnd you are among those blessings; your kind and gracious words are just overwhelmingly humbling...and they give me strength.
You are a true disciple. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you so much!
DeleteI am so sorry for your pain, so grateful for your witness, so joyful for your future.
ReplyDeleteSandy, thank you for this - the future is indeed bright, and the ability to witness is an honour.
DeleteYou are blessing people in your living and in your dying. You show us how to live for Christ no matter what. You point us to Him, the source of our strength. Blessings and love to you and Barb!
ReplyDeleteGayl, thank you...if I can help others, it's a privilege, and my true life's work.
DeleteBlessings and love back!
I doubt that I'd ever have your courage and attitude.
ReplyDeleteJan, I never thought I'd be able to cope. But it's all God; He knocked at the door and I was bright enough to let Him in.
DeleteWere you a musician, Andrew? Words from Handel's Messiah are coursing through my brain right now. "Comfort ye my people." Comfort to you, "Crooked path made straight." Some day those words will come true. It all will make sense (somehow). Maybe soon.
ReplyDeletePart of your legacy is here on these pages, rich blog posts rife with courage, strength and blessing. I've been tinkering with a totally different sort of book. Daily its title changes. Wish you could read it. It's about being other-focused instead of self-centered. You've done that well here on this blog.
The sky is beautiful tonight. I bet it's nice out your way. Blessings, my friend.
My dear Norma, the grace and love in your words brought tears to my eyes, tears of gratitude and joy.
DeleteThis is all such a privilege, and I would not have missed it or anything.
And you remain in my thoughts and prayers.