Mountains and Crutches

Carlee's life has taken yet another complicating twist. Because of the surgery she had a few weeks ago to remove and biopsy some of her lymph nodes, there's been the worry of lymphedema. This would be irreversible fluid retention and swelling in a her arm caused by the damage to her lymph system. Yesterday her hand and entire arm started to noticeably swell. I can't describe the sinking of our hearts when sings of yet another complication for Carlee start to emerge. There is a helpless feeling when a person you love and would gladly suffer for is enduring a difficulty that even medical doctors are absolutely powerless to change or reverse. Please pray for her. We feel very blessed to be children of the Great Physician who has been known to defy medical odds quite often. :) Carlee needs Him now to stop this lymphedema so it won't restrict and debilitate her for the rest of her life.

Some people call belief in God a "crutch", as if that's an insult. But I have to wonder: how would we retain hope and joy without a Crutch; and why is it so wrong to need a crutch in this pain-filled, fallen world anyhow? A man can use a crutch to support his broken body without being mocked or blamed, but when a person admits their need for Someone greater than himself to lean on for the devastation life brings, he's somehow looked on as weak and simple? How brazenly haughty the human race is! Jesus says, "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (Psalm 55:22)

I'm writing a song for Car. The tune is a bit sketchy still, but the words are these:

VERSE 1-

The mountain is high, and I don't know why I'm climbing it-

I just know jesus sad this was the way for my to take.

My eyes may be dry, but inside my heart is weeping while

I try to keep my eyes fixed on the goal that is at stake.

And a host of silent souls are climbing right along beside me,

In a realm apart from anything my eyes can see...

CHORUS

So my heart takes courage

And my eyes look up,

While my aching feet press onward toward the goal

And my hand grasps His

While I drink from His cup

And find each bitter sip delights my soul.

Verse 2-

I've lost the life I had, but I know I'm truly living,

Because Jesus is the Treasure I have found

And I have His word, that the clouds will break soon farther up,

And I'll be standing then on holy ground

And the view that I'll see when I'm standing on the heights

Won't be shadows or valleys, but a path of light!

CHORUS

Verse 3-

A while ago I looked up, saw the place where I'm at now and thought

"God, I can't walk there; don't ask me to..."

But now that I'm here, I see the beauty all around me,

Because Jesus really does make all things new.

And I trust the Mighty Author Who is writing out my Story

So instead of dark defeat I am shouting glory!

CHORUS