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| A row of peonies by our river. |
At the beginning of this month, someone gave us a box from a food pantry. The giver had selected all the common items that could be found in our kitchen. How thankful we were! We have had a rough few weeks with both health difficulties and finances. Yet through it all, I have felt a sense of peace and gratefulness.
On the night before Father's Day, I was very ill with dizziness and a feeling of complete weakness. The dizzy part was the most troubling! I prayed for help and healing. I was scheduled to play in the handbell choir at church the next morning. I didn't want to miss it. At the same time, I had to accept whatever was out of my control. It had to be the Lord's way and will, not mine. I knew if I didn't make it to church, I would have to let the music director know I would be missing so they could scramble to fill my place. But how sad the very thought of not being there made me feel. All through the night I had Powerade and water. By morning there was a slight improvement. But there was that lingering sense of dizziness. I rose early and then had two small portions of carefully timed breakfasts (to keep my hypoglycemia under control.) That morning I was asked by my husband, "Are we going to church today? Are you okay?" I nodded with a semblance of confidence, "Yes," I told him. "I am okay. We can go to church." Shortly before we left, I felt so much better. By the time we reached the church and the bells were played, my health was stable and I felt so very blessed. In my heart I prayed, "thank you, Lord." How very grateful I felt!
I have been doing work about the house and resting as much as possible. I am often sitting by a window in the downstairs room where I can sit and see a peaceful view of our landscape. I watch the birds playing and flying around as they sing sweet chirping songs.
There have been many days of sitting with grandchildren and playing games of scrabble and doing projects. These children are the joy of my life! I must remain peaceful and healthy to be here for them.
We had a financial crisis arise. To meet this need, I gathered what was left of our grocery money and withdrew some funds I have been saving for annual bills (including our house insurance and property tax bill). My saving for yearly bills takes me many months. We managed to avert this crisis, but the money is now lacking. To recover this loss, my only way of fixing this is to use money, over the next few months, that is allocated for food. I know this will hurt, but careful use of money is very important, especially when one is living on a fixed income. One of our household began to panic. I said, "We are only promised today. God's mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. We will be okay. The Lord will provide." Somehow the warmth of peace filled our hearts. It brought rest and comfort knowing the promises of God and claiming them for each day.
Sometimes I forget to take care of myself. I forget to eat. I think it is okay to keep going without breaks. When this happens, my health suffers and it brings on a crisis that tends to stop me in my tracks and wake me up. I need to do better at making sure I remember to take care of myself. This reminds me of my spiritual health. I would be so unhappy and worried if I did not meditate on the precious words of Scripture. I am often reminded of old-time hymns, such as "Take Time to Be Holy." In this song, we are encouraged to seek God's blessing for everything we do and every decision we make. Each day I make my plans and often, I am called to do something else. I have accepted this, feeling a sense of honor that the Lord is leading me to do His precious work. As I keep busy with my homemaking, I pause to reflect on the goodness of God, and I wait for His call. When I am needed, I feel so blessed to do the labor for the day that he leads me to do. I am grateful!
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives -
A Peaceful Heart - The Quiet Kindness of a Titus 2 Mother.
Testimony of the Mother of D.L. Moody - Poverty in the 1800's.
Some ideas to help - A Home Without Clutter.
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Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:
9 comments:
The grounds of your estate are so beautiful; the peonies by the river must bring you much joy. This post, as always, is a clear reminder of the goodness of God and how we can and must depend on Him. I pray that today He will meet your needs abundantly. God bless;
Your friend in AL , Marianne
Praying for you and your health, Mrs. White. Yes, God will always provide for us in one way or another. Blessings!
I'm glad you are better now! But it is important to take care of yourself, too. Especially if you are hypoglycemic. My husband and I are both hypoglycemic and sometimes it is difficult to manage dizziness and weakness. Even sitting in church, by the time it gets toward late morning we are both getting shaky. I keep hard candies in my purse, usually Werther's or life savers, and that helps us until we can get home.
Do you qualify for using a food bank? If so, it might be a good help for you during the lean times. When my husband was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and was extremely ill and could not work, we used the food bank for a couple years until he was on social security. Even then, times were extremely tough. We had to go to Fargo for his cancer treatments 3 times a week and the trip to Fargo is two hours one way. We used a lot of gasoline. A friend gave us a generous gas card, and our little Baptist church of 40 people took up three collections to help us. When things finally got better for us we always took boxes of extra garden produce to share with others in gratitude for what they did for us (and we still do). God always does provide! Sometimes He uses others to do the providing.
I will pray that your situation improves and that soon you will be back on your feet financially and regarding family health. My husband has been in remission now for the past 8 years and we are so grateful for the Lord's kind blessings. Right now it is indeed difficult with the high cost of everything, especially utilities and taxes and groceries. But somehow things always seem to work out for those who trust in the Lord.
Sending this scripture your way:). Your perseverance and perspective show us all what strong faith looks like:). Thank you for sharing. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”James 1:12nkjv
Dear. Mrs. White, I'm so glad your health recovered just in time. Don't forget to eat! :)
Mrs. White, I am so glad to see a post from you. I have been concerned since your last post about fainting. Just a thought, have you had your adrenal function tested? Your symptoms sound so similar to mine before I was diagnosed with Addison's (adrenal insufficiency). My daughter has POTS, which has similar symptoms also. I am praying for your health. Please take care! Your ministry has had a huge impact on my life, encouraging me to seek the Lord and be a better mother and homemaker. God bless you!
QUERIDA HERMANA EN CRISTO: ME SIENTO TAN IDENTIFICADA CON SU PUBLICACION DE HOY, AMBAS PASAMOS LO MISMO, UNA ECONOMIA INESTABLE Y NO PORQUE DERRECHOMES, AL CONTRARIO, SABEMOS ADMINISTRAR NUESTRO DINERO Y NO GASTAMOS EN COSAS QUE NO DEBEMOS, PERO AQUI EN BUENOS AIRES LOS PRECIOS SUBEN CONSTANTEMENTE,MI ESPOSO Y YO YA ESTAMOS JUBILADOS Y NUESTROS INGRESOS SON BAJOS, TENEMOS QUE ARREGLARNOS CON LO QUE TENEMOS,TAMBIEN A VECES RECIBIMOS AYUDA DE NUESTRA IGLESIA CRISTIANA DONDE NOS CONGREGAMOS HACE 30 AÑOS, Y TAMBIEN NOSOTROS COLABORAMOS EN AYUDAR A OTROS. DIOS SIEMPRE ES FIEL HERMANA,EL NOS DARA LA SALIDA PARA TODAS LAS COSAS,PASAMOS PRUEBAS QUE NUESTRO PADRE CELESTIAL PERMITE,PERO TAMBIEN EL NOS DA FORTALEZA PARA PODER SALIR DE ELLAS. TUVIMOS UNA FUERTE GRIPE EN MI HOGAR, 5 ENFERMOS Y YO CON BRONQUITIS, EN UN MOMENTO MI HOGAR PARECIA UN HOSPITAL, HOY ESTAMOS RECUPERADOS POR LA BONDAD DE DIOS, NOS FORTALECIO EN MEDIO DE NUESTROS QUEBRANTOS. EL SALMO 136,VERSICULO 23 DICE: EL ES EL QUE EN NUESTRO ABATIMIENTO SE ACORDO DE NOSOTROS, PORQUE PARA SIEMPRE ES SU MISERICORDIA. BENDICIONES A LA DISTANCIA HERMANA.
Dear Mrs. White,
I so enjoy your posts. I love the pictures you share also. Please use the nearby food banks, they are there to help. I googled food banks near (your town) and received over 20 places.
Sincerely, Jacki George CA
Sorry I've not been around for a while. Computer died and many family events, birthdays, graduations, Father's day, etc. but things are back to normal again. So sorry you had the illness and dizziness, but how wonderful is our Great God who brought you healing, because you were willing to abide by whatever the answer way. You are a blessing! Love you.
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