This week I discovered in a new and fresh way the power of prayer.
On Monday morning, instead of jumping out of bed and scrambling eggs and preparing fruit as I usually do, I stayed in bed. The night before I hardly slept at all. My midsection was so uncomfortable it felt like all my organs were swollen. What was going on? I had a great day on Sunday and finished it off by cleaning my oven and then baking a blueberry buckle coffee cake with the last blueberries of the season. Just before going to bed I enjoyed a warm piece of it along with my hot cup of “tiger milk.”
I was so miserable that morning I called on a few of my friends who know how to pray and asked them to pray.
As the evening came around I finally was able to eat a little and went to bed early.
The next morning I awoke feeling so much better after having slept the entire night.
There was no question, my friends’ prayers, along with my heart cries, were answered.
I cannot even begin to express my gratitude.
Gratitude to my friends for being faithful to pray.
Gratitude to my heavenly Father for placing his hand of healing on my body.
The transformation over 16 hours was amazing. However, I still have a way to go to be fully healed.
You see, after an appointment with my homeopathic doctor, I came to learn that my body was responding to the toxins I subjected my body to. Not only did I clean my oven on Sunday night with a fume-free oven cleaner, but at the beginning of the week, I cleaned an apartment for a friend after her tenant moved out. Lots of window cleaner was sprayed, and yes, I used oven cleaner there too. Both times I had all the exhaust fans going and windows open, but, I failed to remember to wear a mask. It never crossed my mind this time… how did I forget?
If there is a silver lining in this unpleasant experience, it is the reminder that we can call on our friends to pray and their prayers will move the hand of God.
It certainly is nothing I take for granted.
My heart is still overflowing with gratitude.
Keep close watch over me as the apple of Your eye;
shelter me in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 17:8
As I recover, this verse is so meaningful to me.
It reminds me of the intimate relationship we’re to have with our heavenly Father.
I know, growing up, that I was the apple of my dad’s eye. It was pretty obvious.
Now, even as an adult, I love knowing I am the apple of God’s eye.
You are too!
Each of us is the apple of his eye.
We are God’s treasured creations.
He hears the cries of our hearts and the prayers of our friends.
And no matter what, we can take comfort, shelter, and find hope and peace in HIM.
It’s JoyDay!
Through all the ups and downs of life, I’ve come to the conclusion that counting and giving thanks are key to trusting God. When we take time to see all that God is doing in and through our lives it’s pretty amazing. How can we NOT put our whole trust in HIM? So… please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful. This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space resets our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord. And ultimately fills our hearts with JOY!
I’ll start…
Thank you, God…
- for my praying friends and hearing their prayers.
- for giving me the physical strength I needed to get a job done.
- for rain and more rain… the most ever for the month of October. It seems too much but it will make up for the near drought we had this summer.
- for the Thai lady at the farmers’ market who takes such joy in growing “chemical free” vegetables.
- for a great eggplant parm recipe and our impromptu visitors who enjoyed some with us.
- for my wonderful new shoes that are a brand I love and will be perfect for the winter months ahead.
- for your loving provision, day after day.
Now…it’s YOUR turn!
List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below. You’ll be glad you did.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.
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I am truly sorry this happened this week. What a relief you are improving. I can use very limited cleaners. I become violently ill. It’s so strange. But even Borax is so very toxic for me!! I think I just use a paste of baking soda anymore for my oven. And Magic Erasers.
As for blessings.
1. A friend came to visit and we went to lunch at a very unique and special place. There was even a fashion show that day! We had such a nice visit
2. I made dinner this week. It made two meals.
3. A couple interviews lined up. Please pray
4. A young couple who had a baby born stillborn is having a new baby born in spring! This is a miracle too.
5. I got to put my hands in the dirt and plant a few pansies and mums
6. I have good helpers
7. God is near
I do not feel right tonight in my head. I looked up to do something—I’m not to do that but I thought I could for it was such a tiny bit I was doing. Not true. So I’m really suffering. It’s growing hard to be living this life but I had a good home cooked by my hubby meal of eggs and spinach with my broccoli and cauliflower on the side. It was so yummy. Now rest
I like photos so much of apples
Joy Day!
I’m so sorry to hear you weren’t feeling well, but happy to hear you are better!
Cleaners are basically poison and I keep clear! Vinegar is my main cleaner. Rubbing alcohol for bigger jobs like the bathroom.
This week like last week I’m checking myself. Finding the big joys in little bothers of life.
Thank you Lord for,
1. The little messes I have to clean each day. It means I have people in my life and home every day.
2. The chill in the fall air. I guess hot flashes do come in handy. ?
3. Thank you for showing me the beautiful gift of Free Christmases! No money spent is so much better.
4. No cable. Hubby and I have a good time watching DVDs together.
5. Caring people. Other people blessing us.
6. Leading me to more Christian blogs.
7. Our dogs. I know I thank you often for them but again our little pretty girl saved hubby. Literally.
I’ll be praying you have a joy filled week and heart Diane. Thank you sooo much for sharing YOU with us.
Blessings to you!
Minnie
I am so sorry about you not feeling well, Diane, but I am thankful to God that prayers were answered and that you know why you didn’t feel well. God is so good.
Now for my things I’m thankful for:
1. All of Max’s appointments and tests coming back with good reports – PRAISE GOD!
2. I’m thankful for your friendship. You have been a light and a source of such encouragement and JOY to me and my family.
3. I’m thankful for divine health for Max, Jordan, Joe, Nadir and me.
4. I’m thankful for a warm home.
5. I’m thankful for God’s provision in every circumstance.
6. I’m thankful for the salvation of my family and me.
7. I’m thankful for a bed to sleep on.
And there are so many more things!!!! Big hugs and blessings sweet friend.
xoxo, mb