Devotion for September 24, 2011 – Philippians and the Diabetes Chronicles
Lancet for blood testing, photo from Wikimedia Commons
Today's Scripture Reading
Philippians 4:11-14
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.
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Today's Devotion
I spent a week in the hospital from Thursday, September 1, 2011 to Thursday, September 8, 2011.
Two of the days I was attached to a wound vac, as my doctor was using that to help clear wound on my shoulder of infection. During that stay in the hospital, I found out that I was diabetic, and that it was the reason my wound was not healing completely. So, now my life is different as I have to try and watch my sugar levels using a meter, test strips and lancets. Sometimes, I am so frustrated with these changes as I try and get familiar with how the meter, test strips, and lancets all work together. The healing process can seem slow and long. I was missing my husband and puppy, and I knew they were missing me a lot.
Sometimes, living the Christian faith can be like realizing there is a 'learning curve” on the diabetes equipment. I will still make mistakes. This also applies to your own relationship with God. If you are not listening or letting God guide you, it becomes harder later on. That is like the wound that I was having to deal. It is better to go ahead and get things out in the open, where you can see what is going on. Both the doctor and I had come to a point, where a hospital stay was the best thing to happen in my healing. There are a lot of people who want to help, but I had to say I was ready for the wound to finally heal. I am dealing with another round of physical therapy so that I can regain my reach and play some catch with the puppy. Challenges and changes are all part of life and the Christian faith. Reaching out to God and to others, and even to a puppy, can help your life, with all the uncertainties, feel somewhat normal again.
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, thank you for the challenges that help us to grow and develop toward the people you are calling us to be. We thank you for change that can bring time for healing and wholeness as we come to more closely live as the people you would have us to be.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Today's devotion was shared by
Marci McGowan, with prayer by Deb Phelps
Marci is a regular at DisciplesNet church and active member of First Christian Church, Asheville, North Carolina, USA.