“And He took him aside from the multitude, put His finger in his ears,
and He spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, He sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,”
that is, “Be opened.” (Mark 7:33, 34 NKJV)
Prior to this verse, Jesus had gone to the region of Tyre
and Sidon. Having arrived there, He goes into a private home wanting “no one to know.” But, it says, “He
could not be hidden.” For a Gentile woman, having a demon-possessed daughter,
found out where He was and persistently begged Him to heal her; cutting short His
privacy. (Mark 7:24, 25 NKJV)
Now He’s traveled back through the region of Decapolis, where previously
His fame exploded where in the midst of seeking solitude and rest, the multitude pursued
Him and He wound up spending the entire day healing and feeding 5000 plus people.
Now, while looking for space again, He has yet another
multitude hot on His heels begging for healing. He heals. But in the midst of it,
when they bring a deaf/mute to Him, He curiously “took him aside.”
Why?
According to Matthew’s account this wasn’t the only
person with a similar issue. What was different? Why the unusual treatment?
And why does Mark’s record add that after Jesus spits and
puts His fingers in the man’s ears, He looks up to heaven, and sighs?
The word sigh in this passage means: to make, or be in
straits; to murmur; to pray inaudibly, with the connotation of grieving or
groaning. It’s the same word used when it speaks of the Spirit’s groanings in
Romans 8:26:
“Likewise the Spirit
also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which
cannot be uttered.”
Here’s what I think.
Jesus is tapped.
He’s
dog-tired and doesn’t know how to pray for this one, even though He’s been
healing many to this point. Once again,
rest and the need for quiet have eluded Him.
He’s had to deal with power going out of Him during ministry;
and He’s weak and speechless. And in that
place, Jesus looked up to heaven, and breathed a groaning prayer: He sighed, and
the man was healed.
What an encouragement!
Although I haven’t been in the place of administering
healing to thousands, I have given of myself, been past tired, and in need of
solitude, just to have it interrupted, time and again.
And my Jesus, being 100% human when He walked this earth doing
all He did, says to me in this passage, “I completely understand weakness and
the need for solitude. Keep following Me. And when you are worn out, and have
no words, look to heaven, breathe a sigh, and watch what I will do.”
A few weeks ago, I wrote a very short piece entitled “I Prayed.” It was in regards to the manner in which Jesus operated during His earthly
ministry. The way He began, and the way He continued:
“I prayed.
Heaven opened.
He descended.
I heard Him speak.
He filled and led Me.
Then I returned in His
power. Amen.”
Since writing it, and sitting with this truth, another realization
has emerged. This wasn’t just theway Jesus operated on earth. This was a
poetic and relational dance He had with Father and Holy Spirit.
And while admiring the ease and rhythm of it, He showed me
the two most important elements that book-ended their dance:
“I knew and believed
the love.
And…I glorified His
name.”
Check it out.
Jesus’ motivation to “dance,” with Father and Holy Spirit,
came from the love they shared. Their beautiful, uncomplicated movements were
fueled only from Him knowing and believing the love.
With love intact, it was then that Jesus prayed, communing with
Father and Spirit. It was then that heaven opened; that Holy Spirit descended
on Him marking and sealing Him; that His ears were opened to hear Father speak.
And it was then that He received Holy Spirit’s filling, leading and power to
“dance.”
All their poetry and rhythmic relationship was released only because Jesus knew and believed the love. And because of
that, the remarkable automatically took place: Father, Spirit and Son were glorified.
“I knew and believed
the love.
I prayed.
Heaven opened.
He descended.
I heard Him speak.
He filled and led Me.
Then, I returned in
His power.
And…I glorified His
name. Amen.”
And because Jesus was
the Son of Man…fully human, He not only led the way, but gifted us with this same
poetic, relational dance. However, the “steps” remain the same: We also, are only to know and believe the love. Then the “dance” will follow. But more
importantly, the remarkable will automatically occur: All…Father, Son, Holy
Spirit, and we, sons and daughters
called by the name of the Most High God, will be glorified. Amen.
Ten years ago, during a very dark night in my life, Psalm 23
came to me in a breathtaking shaft of light. The truth is that “common”
scripture I memorized as a child, and heard over and over, literally saved my
life in those moments of terror. It gifted me with a strange peace I was extremely
thankful for. A few weeks back, a circumstance presented itself – just one
more, in a long line of challenges since the death of my dad 15 months past. I
had a bout with appendicitis. Although the intensity of the experience was not
nearly as dramatic as my “dark night”, or the death of my dad…. it was tough.
And on one particular night while still in the hospital, I
hit a point of deep discouragement. And the Lord brought me back to Psalm 23 in an intriguing
form of encouragement. He invited me to say it to Him, in my own words, as a
prayer of thanksgiving; as if my life was already complete. This is what I prayed:
“You Lord, were always my Shepherd. Throughout my life You
caused me to lie down, repeatedly in soft, green pastures. You led me beside peaceful,
still waters. And You lovingly and gently stored, and re-stored my soul.
Papa, all of my life You led me in Your sweet paths of righteousness,
for the sake of Your holy and beautiful name. Even though I have walked through the valley of the
shadow of death, I have feared absolutely nothing, because You are still with
me.
Your rod and Your staff, although hard, comforted me many
times. As I knew that those whom You love You discipline.
More than once You laid out a feasting table for me to sit
at in the very presence of the enemy of my soul. Over and over, You abundantly anointed my head with oil; my
cup overflowed.
Surely goodness and mercy did more than follow me all the
days of my earthly life. I not only lived on this earth in Your presence. But am
now living in it with You, forever.”
The comfort I was absorbed in as I chose each word was profound.
To thankfully pray my version of Psalm 23 to Him as if I had actually entered eternity
gifted me with another breathtaking shaft of light. He shed peace on my
past, recent past and future. And He filled me once again, with a quiet calm regarding
my present situation.
you have two choices: Regret or Redemption" ~ The Hospital Mom
On January 27, 1999 the unthinkable became our reality. Our pink and precious daughter of 6 months suffered a massive mid-cerebral arterial stroke. The main artery between her spine and her brain had become blocked from a blood clot at the juncture where it splits into the left and right hemispheres. Worldwide, 1 in 25,000 live births will suffer a stroke each year.
The years that have followed have been tumultuous. Doctors, therapies, drug studies, seizures, and surgeries. There are times where I felt I have earned doctoral degrees in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacology, Neurology, Developmental Pediatrics and Child Psychology from the Mother's Medical Institute.
At any moment I can walk into an emergency room and speak in medical terms with any nurse, doctor or specialist. Pity the poor nurse who argued with me that my child could not possibly have suffered a stroke. "Children do not have strokes," she said with condescending authority.
Ashley was having seizures and I walked into the emergency room in Tulsa, Oklahoma telling the medical team what she needed. I had been on the phone with her neurologist and we agreed I could transport her to the hospital quicker than an ambulance could find me - plus I was already in the car and on my way - and he would meet me there.
My dad met us at the hospital and while he entertained my 25 month old daughter, I politely asked the nurse to step outside the room. "Never tell a parent in front of a child that they are making up a diagnosis, especially one this horrid," I said with the indignation of a mom who was living the unimaginable. The nurse continued to argue with me as the doctor approached and I told her to go pull up the MRI and CT scans from the past 2 years. "I will," she assured me and stomped off, hands on her hips. And she did. The neurologist arrived, treatment began and later, he brought a very apologetic nurse into the room and assured her that infants do indeed have strokes.
That night I realized that parents must be advocates for their children. As the years passed, I learned most parents are so intimated by the medical process, hospital personnel and are simply overwhelmed by their situation that they are afraid to speak up. They will accept whatever is told them and not ask questions, advocate for help or seek solutions for their children.
I have worked with families in numerous settings - adult education centers, as a parent advocate in schools, at church and as a chaplain. The redemption of Ashley's story is in sharing the wisdom, education and experiences we have gained in this struggle. Parents of chronically medically challenged children are more likely to divorce, have extra-marital affairs and battle addictions. As their world centers around their children, hospitals and the medical world, they withdraw into themselves and face depression while living in a constant state of regret - the "would of, could of, should of" state of mind.
Our purpose is simple:
To provide Hope and Humor to Families of Chronically Medically Challenged Children.
Answering Emails of Hurting Families at Kim@hospitalmom.net
H.O.P.E. Delivery Bags for Caregivers at Hospitals
Currently, I am writing a book to bring Hope to Families. The following is an excerpt from "Beautifully Complicated," the story of redeeming the hurt in our lives in order "to Know HIM and Make HIM Known."
from BEAUTIFULLY COMPLICATED
“This is my Father’s World
and to my listening ears
All nature sings and ‘round me rings
The beauty of the sphere.”
Eighteen years ago I first sang this song to my infant baby girl. Born early - eager to change our world. Born tiny - proving size does not matter. Born the baby sister - her brother in love with her before she was before. Born a surprise - her daddy named her the moment he saw the positive pregnancy test.
“This is my Father’s World
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees; of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought.”
Fifteen times I have laid her on an operating table and sang those words in her ear as she drifted to sleep. Sometimes easily. Sometimes fearfully, gripping my hand. Sometimes I have had tears in own voice and many times, I have sang to a room full of surgeons and technicians who came to the operating theater because they had heard of this family who sang before surgery and wanted to experience the peace that is in the room.
Three times I have sang this hymn in the surgery waiting room because that facility did not allow me to accompany her into the operating room.
Eighteen surgeries.
Thousands of miles driven in rain, snow, sunshine and shadow.
Months our family has lived apart - separated by 8 hours and the Rocky Mountains.
Dozens of professionals. Hundreds of medications. Thousands of phone calls to doctors. Ten Thousands of hours in research by specialists and parents.
Millions of prayers raised by family, friends and even strangers.
This indeed is My Father's World. The Unthinkable will happen because this world is in a fallen state where the sin of mankind has brought heartache. Yet God redeems the pain of our fallen state to help each other. When we help each other that pain becomes bearable, even manageable as we allow Him to reveal His glory as we live other lives for others.
“This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!”
Are you living the Unthinkable?
Where you never dreamed you would be?
Are you living in Regret - depressed, lonely, self-pity - or in Redemption?
As you listen to the song below, go to God in Prayer and
Last week I shared about peace with God and peace within. Click HERE to catch up.
Third is peace with others. Peace with otherscan only come after we have done the first two. It comes when we shift our focus from others - in comparison and judgement - to God. Imagine looking straight up to the ceiling. How much can you see around you? Not much. Your focus is on the ceiling and not on anything else. If we want to know what's going on around us we need to ask questions of the One Who can see clearly.
When we look at others we interpret their actions and motives through our own filter. But when we look to God we can ask Him about their actions and motives. He can tell us what we need to know and how we can help. I'm not saying don't see people, I am saying don't filter what you see through your own eyes. Filter it through His. It's a beautiful, peaceful difference.
In all of this the inevitable result of the Prince of Peace's coming is conflict. Jesus said in Matthew 10:6,
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."
It seems to contradict but it doesn't. He didn't come to bring peace as the world expects. He's bringing Shalom - the fullness of life enjoyed in complete security.
And the enemy hates it. The Prince of Peace interrupts the enemy's plan and he will not give up easily. Therefore there is conflict between Christ and Satan, light and darkness...
Satan comes to destroy peace with God, peace within and peace with others. In the garden he said to Eve "Did God really say?" (peace with God), "Surely you won't die" (peace within), and when God asked Adam and Eve what happened they responded with "She gave it to me" "The serpent said..." (peace with others). He presents us with a false peace, one without struggle or strife, one where we can have things our way. It's a lie.
Jesus came to disrupt the false peace and bring real, authentic peace. He says in John 16:33,
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
He knew that real peace didn't come from the world but in relationship with Him - the One Who overcame it.
It's a peace that says I am secure even in the midst of _________ (fear, disappointment, confusion...).
Jesus faced the cross for us, not with fear and doubt, but with peaceful courage. He surrendered His will in the garden of Gethsemane and showed us that it can be done. He walked the hill of Calvary while being mocked and spat upon and some of His final words were forgive them. He is the example and embodiment of the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Peace on Earth can be experienced with the Prince of Peace. Won't you let Him show you how?
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Peace seems like a fairy tale. Especially when you turn on the news and read about the violence against all of humanity, all over the world.
But then I turn on Christmas music and quickly I hear "peace on earth, goodwill to men." What is it about Christmas that makes us think of peace? I believe it's because the Prince of Peace came to earth and because of that, peace is truly possible. In America the term peace is clearly connected with the
absence of war. But the Bible describes peace (Shalom) as more than the
absence of conflict - it is the fullness of life enjoyed in complete
security.
I want that! Is that even possible? Peace on earth? How can we experience the peace of God while living in this world full of war?
First off, it's impossible to have the Peace of God without first having peace with God. At the beginning of the world, peace with God was broken in the Garden of Eden. BUT with the coming of the Messiah, Immanuel (God with us), his life, death and resurrection paid the way for us to be reconciled with God again. We can have peace with God because of Jesus.
The world's peace - what it is trying to sell us - depends on other's behavior. I can say from experience that when my peace depends on how others behave I am always disappointed. We are all selfish creatures and can often have the attitude of "when others agree with me or do what I want, things will be better". Yeah. That's not gonna work. God's peace depends on Him. He is faithful. So if we are reconciled to Him - have peace with Him, we are one huge step closer to the peace of God invading our lives.
Second is peace within. This is possible when we stop fighting for control of our lives and circumstances and surrender to God. When we trust His plans for us. When we lay ourselves down so that He may be glorified in us. When we put aside our plans for His (something Mary and Joseph did!). Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and this means that we can't manufacture real, authentic peace without Him. We can have the illusion of peace from the outside but on the inside we are tied up in knots trying to make sure that people and circumstances continue to look and behave how we think they should. What a mess! Surrender seems scary but it is freedom and peace.
Well, evidently I don't. I've been the recipient of two surprise parties in my lifetime and both times I was so determined to stay home that I almost missed my own celebrations.
Recently some of my dear girlfriends dressed as Pirates - in honor of my favorite movies - and threw me a Surprise Birthday / Encouragement Party. There was sushi and pirate booty, pirate punch, cannonball meatballs and even a Pirate Ship chocolate cake! The wackiness was great, the laughter healing and I'm so glad they were able to get me to my own party!
Their gifts to me that evening were simple & yet extravagant. Their time. Their attention. Their love.
Then each person took time to share with me either a scripture or word that God had shown them I needed to hear; they shared what I had meant to them in their lives.
It was awesome and humbling.
This season of our life has been long and hard and weary. There are days that getting dressed is a major victory. These ladies have stood with me, prayed for me and stood in the gap when I could no longer pray at all. As they shared words like Determined and Listen and scriptures from Psalm 20, a balm was poured over my soul and freshness awakened within me.
New Strength ~ New Peace ~ New Energy!
Everyone needs Encouragement now and then. It doesn't have to be a Pirate Party - a card to your neighbor, an email to a friend, a text to your spouse - those words mean so much.
Your words of love and truth can bring life and hope to a hurting heart.
Who needs to your Words of Encouragement?
Ask the Lord to show you - in the grocery store, in your workplace, at school,
Putt-sing around my house a few months ago, I was wrestling
with a dogging question: Should I or should I not help an individual with a genuine
need, which in this case happens to be close to me? When I heard: “Bear one another’s burdens…” And…“for each one shall bearhis own load.” (Galatians 6.2, 5)
A familiar frustration rose in my spirit, for in times past I
had grappled, without resolution, with these exact phrases and specific words. “Lord,” I said. “In
one breath You command us to bear another’s burden, and in the next You seem to
contradict commanding the exact opposite. I don’t know what to do or how to be.”
“I know,” He replied. “Look into it.”
So I dropped what I was involved with, went to my Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, and
looked up the words and phrases I felt Him emphasize. To my chagrin, in both instances, the definition of bear was exactly what I thought: “to remove, lift, endure, sustain, receive,
etc.” However, I was surprised to find where its meaning was derived….from
the base of the Greek word basis
which means “to walk; a pace (‘base’)
i.e. (by implication) the foot.”
Immediately a picture came of two people walking side by
side, one was carrying a large burden while the other, walking in pace, was helping
alleviate some of its weight, but was
not taking the burden from them. Intrigued, I dove into the definition of load, and was even more startled at its
meaning: “an invoice (as part of freight)
i.e. (fig.) a task or service.”
“Wow, Lord…an invoice?”
“Yes, an invoice. I assign to each an invoice;
a task; a service to join with Me. If I have not invoiced you to walk side by
side with another, yet you choose to, you are in fact sabotaging their
relational footing with Me. And, by carrying all, or some, of another’s burden I
did not invoice harms our walk as well. Be watchful, child. Do not disrupt your, or
another’s, relationship with Me by carrying what has not been
invoiced you.” Sweet release washed over me shedding light on my present
situation, as well as evaporating that unresolved and dogging question. For I
had many times, out of guilt, shame, or condemnation, whether self-inflicted or
imposed by others, helped carry, or carried all
of another’s burden never invoiced me. And the results were damaging to the cadence
of each relationship. So, when another’s need arises, I am now inclined to stop
and ask, “Have you invoiced me to come along side, Holy Spirit? Or is this theirs to join with You,
alone?
My mind spins in a hundred directions. Nothing new for me. Nothing new for most moms! The extraordinary gift of the female brain is its ability to intake and process numerous pieces of information simultaneously. It's also a beautiful curse.
Today has added noise - the appliance repair man banging on my disobedient stove; the exterminator spraying for invading spiders; my husband texting his need for clean laundry; my kids formulating a grocery list; and phone calls from doctors and other "important" people wanting a slice of my time.
To organize these external factors, my mind begins problem solving — how to cook for 8 people without a stove? When can I slip in a load of laundry? How many times have I been to the store in the past three days and forgotten milk? Should I fly to Denver or drive? Did I defrost meat for dinner? Wait, I’m not home for dinner. My in-laws are coming. Will they need dinner? The noise of life quickly becomes waves of distracting static building and washing over me until all peace becomes paralyzing anxiety. What am I going to do with this chaos?
Stop. Remember. Worship.
I must get still - discipline myself to quiet my mind. I must remember who God is in my life - My Creator, my Savior, my Healer, my King. I must make my daily activities of being mom - cooking, organizing, problem solving - an act of Worship to Him.
“Be still my soul and know that He is God,”
(Psalms 46:10)
Through worship an attitude of gratitude replaces the anxiety, a quiet comes to my spirit and I know the truth that He is God - especially in the chaos.
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