God's got a purpose for all things.
And I'm not Him.
I've got a lump upon my chest
that hurts with every breath.
I'm God's hands, it's for the best
but it's got me scared to death.
I've always been a hard-assed thug
for whom fear's been a stranger
but now I really need a hug
to help me hide from danger.
I've always been the one who's paid
my way through pain, and more,
but today I'm scared, and needing aid
to swim to the fatal shore.
So I ask your arms, though far away
to help me stay afloat this day.
Music from Mandisa, with He Is With You.
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.
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.
Sending hugs your way, Andrew!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Anita. They are really needed.
DeleteSending you love and hugs, dear Andrew!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Gayl. They're much appreciated.
DeletePraying The Prayer That Never Fails!
ReplyDeleteAnnie in Texas
((((((Annie!)))))) Thank you so much.
DeleteMay our prayers be your water wings, Andrew, and Jesus the lifeguard who swims out to you and brings you home.
ReplyDeleteMuch love xxx
Liz, I love the image. Thank you so much for this. XXX - love back!
Deletepraying, hugging
ReplyDeleteJane, thank you for both. They're really needed. And you are in our prayers.
DeleteSo sorry to hear of this latest challenge, Andrew! Praying you know God closely with you calming your fears.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lesley. I truly appreciate and need the prayers.
DeletePrayers continue Andrew, seek the Lord
ReplyDeleteHe's with me, Annette. Things are really horrible tonight, but I'm OK, in His Hands.
DeleteTears... I loved this so much... The "hard assed thug" was my favorite part, honestly... at least in the "real and honest" sort of way... But truthfully, the line "and I'm not Him" TOOK MY BREATH AWAY...
ReplyDeleteTears for you. Heavy heart. Prayers rising...
Misty, thank you so much for these lovely, loving words. They are a treasure, as are you.
DeleteI'm back... You always share such great and relevant tracks... I am a lyric lover and am grateful for the songs you post, often. Allow me to return the favor today? This is one of my very favorite songs by one of my all time favorite groups... A different genre than the songs you usually post, but my heart is telling me it is so, so relevant for today... I encourage you to read the lyrics along with the song, or beforehand... Maybe you already know it... At any rate: Taxi Cab by Twenty One Pilots. (and an added bonus would be Holding On To You, by them... This is my ANTHEM for the year, and I'm blessed to share with you today.)
ReplyDeleteGoing there now, Misty....thanks!
DeleteHere's a cyber hug for the talented poet: ((((Andrew))))
ReplyDeleteJan, the hug is so precious, and so appreciated.
DeleteSending gentle air-hugs out your way Andrew; praying for you bro.
ReplyDeleteAir-hugs received and appreciated, Leon. Thank you so much for them, and for the prayers.
DeleteThank you for asking us to pray. I count it as a privilege. May God hold you close and remind you of His love and care.
ReplyDeleteVicki, it is I who am privileged to receive your prayers! Thank you so much.
DeleteSo sorry, my friend. If dreams could come true, at least this one, I'd give you a day without pain. So glad we can pray with you.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Norma, you just brought tears to my eyes. The good kind.
DeleteAnd more impactful words. I am sorry that you are having to suffer through it, but I'm glad you've found God's arms. Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your words. They are gifts.
ReplyDeleteSue, thank you...it's been terribly hard, but I would not ask to have the experience erased, or the outcome altered. Finding God's reality has been worth it, and being able to tell of it has fulfilled what purpose my life had.
DeleteHugs and prayers, Andrew. So sorry for the pain you're having to endure. May God's grace meet you minute by minute until you're walking whole and pain-free in His presence.
ReplyDeleteJulie, thank you so much for the hugs and prayers...as I write this, they are SO NEEDED.
DeleteGod is here, and I think He's crying.
I'm so sorry about your lump...I wish you didn't have it, too. I'm asking God to surround you with His peace, you and your wife. Perfect peace and bubbling joy.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, thank you...I wish the lump weren't there too, and the malignancies underneath, in my abdomen and chest...
Delete...but I kin of don't wish it, because this is the hard road where I found God, and lived to tell of Him. Does that make sense?
Thank you so much for your gracious words, your prayers, and your presence here. You are a gift.
Hugs and prayers, Andrew. Rest in God's arms, be surrounded by healing grace.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mari-Anna. I just passed a quietly terrifying night, but God is here.
DeletePrayers Andrew. You are anchored. Ride the waves. You are not going over!
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you so much for your prayers. I'm hanging on; it's really hard today.
DeletePraying for you, Andrew! I'm so sorry that you feel fear, since you've always been so fearless. That speaks volumes about what you're experiencing and up against today. My heart breaks for you, my friend! But know that we all are concerned, praying and reaching out to you to lend you our strength, and more importantly, so is Jesus!
ReplyDeleteBeth, thank you so much for your prayers, and I so greatly appreciate the prayers of this community.. Yes, this is terrifying; every step has become something of a waking nightmare, but in this fell gyre God has hold of my hand.
DeleteThinking of you here in NZ, Andrew. I started looking for your comments a long time ago on Kara's site and was very glad, when I eventually found my way here, to see you have your own caring online community. I am sorry things are so tough. Praying for comfort and for fear to lose its fearsomeness.
ReplyDeleteHe will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
(PS, I still cannot believe you have a cat!)
Rachel, thank you so much for this! I truly appreciate your being here, and your loving, grace-filled words.
DeleteThe cat's name is FredScotch (I can't recall why), and he's actually been adopted as a mascot by the dogs; he showed up as the loser of many fights with local feral cats, and he couldn't help but admire his spirit, and adopt him.
Thank you for your little poem on my blog. It really brightened my day <3 Said a little prayer for you just now. Hope that you are having an okay day.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, thank you so much! I'm delighted that you enjoyed the poem.
DeleteToday has been a good day; lots of pain and other stuff, but God is near. Can't beat that.
Stephanie, thank you so much...I really appreciate this, and even more so, your prayers.
ReplyDelete