Life by Grace Alone

Jess, Steve and I were waiting in the ER, After time in 3 medical institutions we were now back to the first ,waiting for a doctor to appear. He had been released from the third place but not enough progress had been made and so we were back to the place we started. Our spirits were anything but high and then I remembered a favorite hymn. Our daughter's beautiful voice would be a distraction as we waited. She looked up the words on her phone. What e'er my God ordains is right His holy will abideth. I will be still what e'er He doth And follow where he guideth. After the first verse Steve joined his voice with his daughter's clear confident tones. The father daughter duet continued. He is my God, though dark my road. He holds me that I shall not fall . And so to this I leave it all. And so to this I leave it all. Two voices together singing of their confidence in God's will no matter how dark the road. Both voices belonged to two people who had gone t...

47 years ago I married a strong and brave man. Over the years I watched him charge forward on hiking trails, persevere as he moved furniture,and worked in the yard. His energy level often topped those who worked with him. A huge difference occurred before thanksgiving. After a plane flight to Vermont and than about one day after a flight home he flew to Florida. We did not realize how God protected him from harm. After conferring with his doctor he entered the hospital which culminated in triple bypass surgery. It soon seemed that every complication that could have occurred did happen from legionaire's disease to a bad reaction to a drug. Thanksgiving slid into Christmas and then suddenly the new year arrived with no fanfare. As a family it felt like we were treading water, Finally he was transferred to a rehabilitation clinic, the third facility. Although strength is slowly returning, he still has a long way to go. Strength is usually defined as physical strength. As some of...

I remember well the first kiss. We had been dating for a while and he had just taken me back to my home. He kissed me gently and then I floated into the apartment. I sat down and then stood and rushed to my friend across the room. "He kissed me" I said with wonder radiating from each word. I hugged my friend as I waited for each of us to absorb all that I said. 48 years have passed since the night of the first kiss.Now after 4 children I am again sparked by my man's kisses. Each light kiss feels like a jewel has been deposited in my account. Unlike the first kiss these kisses come as I lean over a hospital bed. Over 2 months have passed after he had heart surgery. Our interaction is confined to a hospital room and even though he has suffered complications he still slowly but surely by God's grace moves forward. We have no hugs or long kisses, no long walks holding hands. What we do have is the sign language for "I love you", the holding of hands and sweet ...