"The tree, The Key"

Beautiful weather, huh? I did spend some time outside Friday afternoon. Too much time, cause I was literally worn out. That evening my mother-in-law cooked for everyone and we had a good time together. The laughs were too much since I cannot – should not – be laughing. I had to hold my incision site though. I have not been lifting or pulling on anything per Mom, Aunt Eva and Margie. I have not really been feeling to well to want to do anything to be honest. My head says yes but the rest of me says, ‘can’t do it’.

<<<>Cedar tree in New Roads - Bob guessed that it may be 200 years old. You can see how gravity has been pulling on it a little bit. Everything seems to have gone to the 'bottom'. I can relate.

Here is, what I believe (for me), the answer to that persistent question I pose to my Lord on a regular basis concerning my present condition. This is asked reverently mind you – “What is the hold up? It’s been a year of constant requests for a healing and yet I have not seen it Lord. You say to ask, seek, knock and I have, You say to get the elders of the Church to anoint the sick one with oil - and I have. I have hundreds of other people praying for me, and yet no manifestation of the healing power of God. You have supplied for us in so many other ways, why not the healing? Talk about change some people’s lives - You heal me and it will.” Here is the response I believe the Lord revealed to me and for me. Some of you may disagree and that is okay because I am not preaching anything here, I’ve just been trying to listen.
Relationship is the KEY. Abraham was called the ‘friend’ of God. That means he obviously had a remarkable relationship with the Almighty to have earned such a title. He had a relationship with the Father through thick and thin – and Abraham had a lot of both – you can read it for yourself.
In my situation, am I going to maintain my relationship with God regardless of what happens to my health, finances or to my family/friends? The answer is yes. I want to be a 'friend of God' just like Abraham. As a friend, we all expect certain things from each other. For example, a friend should not lie to you but tell you the truth, right? That is an ‘expectation’. I expect God to save us, provide for us, protect us and heal us. That has always been my impression from the Scriptures concerning God towards me. These are things that only God can truly give or do. I do admit feeling some disappointment when a healing has not been seen yet. That particular answer has not arrived. Yet, I understand that some answers take time due to God working out other things which may involve multiple people and events to come (I learned that one from Pastor Don). Afterwards, we see how everything worked out and it makes sense to us – hindsight is always 20/20. Think of Joseph. You think he had a few doubts on the path to becoming Viceroy of Egypt? Just a few ‘prison’ and ‘pit’ stops along the way. But the salient point is this – maintaining my friendship/relationship with God through Christ takes precedence over any perceived outcomes - good or bad. Gods want to know me and for me to know Him. He desires and requires the ‘Chief seat’ in our hearts and lives all of the time – "yet He knows our frame, that we are dust." (Ps 103:14). If I receive my healing tomorrow, fantastic! But if I do not, great. For me, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” and “absent from the body, present with the Lord”. So no matter what happens, it is all about my relationship with God. He seems to be more concerned with that than any other thing in my life. And remember that very compelling and sobering scripture where Christ says, "... assuredly, I do not know you" (Matthew 25:12)? There is no need to be 'scared' into a relationship with God. What kind of friendship would that be?
Anyway, He did tell us to "keep asking, seeking and knocking" so that I will do.
Have a great weekend - get out and get some Sun!
George