Wednesday, March 11, 2020

A Note To My Friends & Followers


Dear Loved Ones ~

A week ago I found myself in an ambulance, quickly wending its way down Route 6 to the hospital.  I couldn't catch even the slightest breath without piercing pain and I couldn't breathe deeply at all.

It was terrifying, surreal ... and yet, God was incredibly gracious and there wasn't a whiff of anxiety during the whole traumatic scenario.  The excellent medical staff quickly found two small blood clots in one lung and I remained in the hospital for two days.

I'm home now.  Fragile.  Trusting.  Hopeful.  Weary.

I have closed my counseling practice.  I am laying low.  I am doing all the 'right' things to regain my health which has taken a decidedly poor turn since the dawn of 2020.  I am trusting God for healing ... body, mind, and spirit.  It is well with my soul and I love Jesus more than ever before.

All that said, I'd love for you to pray for me, to pray for my family.  You won't be seeing me around much online for a bit, but I know you understand.

Funny, a few days before this all happened, I had pulled together a bunch of online reads just for you.  I added two more just now.

'Til we meet again, may they bring you some needed encouragement.

Alison McLennan

Courtney Carver

Dr. John Townsend

Dr. Henry Cloud

Carey Nieuhwhof

Kimberly Penrod Pelletier

Kate Murphy

Sarah Bessey


This is a challenging season for many of us.  Let's pray for each other.  Please share your request in the comment section.

Grateful to do life with you ... especially in the hard seasons.  I'm sending my love to you today ~
Linda

63 comments:

  1. Praying for you and your family right now. Take care and continue to trust in God.

    God bless you and yours.

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    1. My apologies for taking so long to say thank you for those prayers. And yes, trusting in God.

      When all is said and done He's the only One who will never change like shifting shadows.

      Amen, Victor ...

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  2. Oh wow, Linda. How scary! I'm glad you could rest in God's presence and help through it all. I'll be praying for your continued healing. I'll be back to look at the links later but wanted to comment as soon as I saw your post come up in my feed. Take care--rest.

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    1. I hope you found something encouraging in the link list, friend ...

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  3. Praying for you that you will get the rest and healing that you need. So glad that they were able to find the problems quickly. Many blessings.

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  4. Oh, Linda! I am so sorry, sweet friend. Please know that I am praying for you right now! God bless you, heal you, and bring you peace in the midst of the storm. You are such a blessing to all of us.

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    1. I'm praying for us all, Cheryl. He is our peace in this storm we're finding ourselves in.

      Where would we be without Jesus ...

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  5. So sorry to hear this, Linda! May your recovery be not only a time of healing but filled with the presence of the Lord.

    I'll definitely be praying for you and your family!

    Thanks for sharing the links. I want to visit each of them.

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  6. I am so, so sorry, dear Linda. That's scary! May God give you restoring rest and strength and may He heal you in body, mind, and spirit! And may He give strength and peace also to your family. It's so hard to see a loved one suffer. I'm so grateful how Jesus draws us ever nearer in those times of illness. Love, hugs, and blessings to you!

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    1. I really appreciate those prayers for my family, Trudy. We don't live in a vacuum, do we ...

      Blessings back to you in this difficult season we've found ourselves in.

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  7. Most definitely praying for you, Linda, and your family! May God surround you with His grace and healing power, my friend, and may He bless you and yours.

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    1. And may He bless you and yours in this huge challenge we are now all living through, Martha ...

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  8. My dear friend, you are in my prayers,
    now most especially!
    I ask that God might lift your cares
    and to you grant victory
    over illness and the fears
    attending all our mortal days,
    and that shed for you, His Holy Tears
    will light your night-time ways
    unto the broad and grass-swept plains
    kissed by a smiling morning sun
    where no mournfulness remains,
    and the sorrows at last are done.
    My friend, I bid you now to heal and rest
    against His warm full-breathing chest.

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    1. Andrew, your poem brought tears to my eyes last week when you sent it ... tears of appreciation, of gratitude, of adoration of Jesus.

      I hope you are laying low and keeping out of harm's way, friend.

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    2. Linda, you're a treasure, a blessing, and a gift.

      As for me, well...Barb says I'm like a goat, either heading away from trouble, or looking for more.

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    3. Yeah, she's a wise one alright!

      Please give her an extra hug from me, you old goat.

      ;-}

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  9. Hi Linda - So sorry to hear you went through such a scary time! But thank God because He's not done with you yet!! You'd been on my heart and in my prayers a lot the past few weeks. Sounds like you are making good decisions for a season of rest and renewal. May God continue to keep you in His care and may you know His peace. I'll continue to pray - will write more later (I've been having some health issues too - ah, these frail bodies!!). Love you!

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    1. Heather, I've been praying for you ever since I read this last week. I am so sorry you are dealing with health issues ... and only wish we lived closer so we could offer comfort to each other.

      Sending love your way this afternoon. Please take good care of yourself.

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  10. Prayers for continued healing Linda and continued peace for your heart.

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  11. ohh, Linda I am so sorry to hear about this. What a scary experience. Praising God you are getting better and will keep you in my prayers!!

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    1. Jean, I'm so grateful that I remain in your prayers.

      Whispering a prayer for you now even as we speak ...

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  12. Linda, I am so sorry to read this. I will be praying for you and your family and take care of yourself!

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    1. Dear Pam, thank you for lifting us up.

      I hope you are weathering this storm we find ourselves in well.

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  13. Dear Linda, this makes my heart sad to hear of your pain and health struggles. You will be in my prayers. Even now I am assured of God's grace for you.

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    1. We're all leaning heavily into that grace this week, aren't we. He is all we have, nothing surprises Him, He is everything we need.

      Trusting you are doing ok, dear Debby.

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  14. Oh my dear friend ... where would we be without the peace that surpasses all understanding? I will pray that it continues to guard your heart and mind, and that your strength will return sooner rather than later. Thank you for these encouraging posts (and for including mine in that batch).

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    1. The ways you have reached out to me this past week have been such a powerful gift, Lois. Thank you for ministering deeply to my soul.

      Bless you and yours as we go through this trial.

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  15. Dearest Linda,

    You will stay in my prayers and heart. I know you are well-loved, watched over, and cared for. I also know you have so many friends and followers on your team - including me! Feel the circle of love around you.

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    1. Dear Barbara, your lyrical way with words always hits home, makes me smile, and causes me to be oh so grateful you're in my life.

      Praying for you as you reach out to your students with your loving creativity and energy ...

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  16. Linda,
    I am SO very sorry you had to go through this traumatic experience, but I am thankful that God calmed your anxiety through it all as only He can. Praying that He would put His healing hand upon you and bring you back to health and vigor. Lifting you in prayer now and will continue to do so. Be good to yourself. Lean into God and let your body heal. Claiming victory in healing for you right now. You are more than a conqueror. Peace to you...
    Blessings and hugs,
    Bev xx

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    1. Dear Bev, I know, based on all you're written over the years, that you truly get where I'm coming from. It's always a sweet gift to know when another soul truly gets it, ya' know.

      Praying for peace for your heart even as we speak.

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    1. Praying for you as you pastor your flock, Bill. This is indeed a trying time for every man and woman in ministry leadership. May God's wisdom be yours as you lead your people through the valley ...

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  18. Rest well dear Linda! May you keep resting in God's grace. It is a challenging season in many ways, and may we see His beauty in through it all, lightening our hearts with hope in Him.

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    1. Oh yes, Lynn, you've said it all so well -->'It is a challenging season in many ways, and may we see His beauty in through it all, lightening our hearts with hope in Him.'

      All I can say is 'amen' ... and thank you. Bless you.

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  19. Linda, I'm so sorry - that must have been a scary experience, but I'm glad you knew God with you in the midst of it all and that you are on the mend. I will be praying for you as you rest and recover.

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    1. So grateful He is very much present in the midst of all that's impacting our world in this unexpected, unsettling season. I hope you are doing well, Lesley ...

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  20. Oh, Linda. Sending prayers and hugs your way dear friend. Please rest and recover.

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    1. I think of you whenever I head outside for a walk. I'm not running, but I am aiming to move more.

      You've impacted me in countless ways, Laurie!

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  21. Oh my! This gave my heart a start! We can't do without you for long here, Linda, so please take it easy and recover. I'm so glad you were able to get the care you needed when you did. Love you, friend!

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    1. Lisa, thanks! I hope you and your family are weathering this storm well and that you are safe and healthy.

      Sending hugs for those sweet babies of yours ...

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  22. Praying for you as you heal. May you know His peace beyond understanding

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    1. His peace beyond understanding. Oh yes, Valerie, isn't that one of His greatest gifts to us!

      I'm so grateful ...

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  23. Linda, I am so sorry for this and am glad you were able to get the care you needed. May you be careful in these days we are living. Will pray for you today!

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    1. Joanne, thank you! Yes, I'm being very careful and am encouraging everyone I have contact with to do the same.

      Praise God He's on the throne ...

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  24. Oh, Linda. How scary and painful. I'm so glad the clots were discovered. You are wise to lay low and give your body time to recover. I'm sorry 2020 has started off so rough for you. I am sending you prayers, my friend. Gentle hugs.

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    1. Gentle hugs right back to you, dear Jeanne. Thinking of you as you parent your young men during this unsettling, unpredictable time.

      Praying, too.

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  25. I promise to be praying for you, Linda. Thanks for all the links and taking the time to update your friends and readers:) Praying God will give complete healing...and patience in the meantime.

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    1. Patience! Ah, yes, always a need in my life.

      Jennifer, you hit the nail on the head ...

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  26. Linda, so glad you got quick care and are recovering. The Lord is so good. You will be in my prayers. Rest and renew during this time.

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    1. May Jesus give us all rest and renewal this evening and in the days ahead. Thank you, Theresa ...

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  27. I am praying for you right now. I am so glad you are resting and taking care of yourself. Thank you for the list to read. You picked some good ones. Maree

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    1. Maree, thank you ... so glad you found some good stuff on that list!

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  28. HI Linda, Your post will be featured tomorrow on Embracing the Unexpected for our Grace & Truth Link-Up. I hope you are feeling better. Maree

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  29. Linda, I missed this post in March, but will be praying for you in rhe coming days for health restored!

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    1. Karen, I am really appreciating those prayers right about now!

      Bless you ...

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