The Blessings in the Thorn .....

Sometimes the mental battle is tougher than the physical ones for me. As you know, for the past 7 months I have been battling recovering from surgery I had in November on my right knee; Patella Femoral Arthroplasty, to be specific. There have been many tears shed, but also MANY encouraging words spoken and much growth, however painful, very worth it.

It is sometimes so hard to see the blessings in the thorn, but Jesus has been my ever present help in time of need, and I have seen so much growth in my life with each painful step. Oh but the mental battle..........

I'm sure that some of my posts as of late have given this away. Yes, I have struggled, but I have had many a break through as well. Over the weekend I battled, and battled, ugghhhhh and battled. I went to bed last night feeling defeated, but I woke up this morning ready to face the day. I started out by reading the precious Word and spending time in prayer and just asking God to help me. I told Him I was tired, so tired. And He gave me strength. I am feeling so much stronger because of time spent in prayer.

Today is also time for my next memory verse with The LPM team. As I sat with my memory verses in hand this morning and going through each one and saying from memory (amazing what God is doing through these verses in my life), God brought to mind the specific circumstances that each verse represents to me. This has been life-changing to my life and my families life. When I am doing better so do they. Mama's we are setting a tone in our families, and they will follow suit. If you are kinder, they are kinder. If you are calmer, they are calmer. It just works that way. If you are sweeter to your husband, he notices and responds in kind. The opposite is also true; harsh reaps harsh. It's just the way it works.

My memory verse from the first half of this month is:

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and pray to me and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I have struggled with getting verse 12 memorized, so I'm still working on it. (I needed help getting it just right above even, so I'll keep working on it along with my new verse).

So that brings me to my new verse. It is so relevant to the season I'm in at this very moment. (As they have all been.)

Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

I love the promises in this verse. He will sustain me and He will not let me fall. That is so comforting to me. I already LOVE this verse.

I want to leave you with some encouragement today, YOU ARE NOT ALONE ~~ OH KNOW YOU'RE NOT!!!!! ~~ No matter what it is, God knows EXACTLY where you are. Rest in Him child. He loves you so.

I would also like leave you with this video. This is a song that I have been playing for a long time. I love this song so. It has really spoke to me through the years, and I know it will continue you to, just like it has this morning, years after I first heard it. The video is almost 5 mins long I know, but I hope you will take the time to listen to it and watch the captions, especially the last one. I was crying through this song and that last caption, WOW!! I feel like it is me in this picture He is holding in the grip of His grace.....and the caption..........Praise Him!!!
(The screen is blank for about the first 20 seconds or so...)



Thank you for all the kind words and the prayers that go up to Abba on our behalf. I rode my bike again yesterday for the first time in about 2 weeks. I took it easy and will continue to just take it easy and do what I can, and most importantly will be resting in His arms as I make each step.

Have a Blessed Monday,

Petrii ~~ Dawn

PS I wrote that first paragraph before I watched the video, so when I saw the caption I just cried all the more. He knows exactly where I am today, and what I need. Praise His Name!!!!!

Father,
Thank you for knowing exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for loving me through every moment and teaching me to see The Blessings in the Thorn. Praise Your Name, Amen.