THE THORN

I stood a mendicant (beggar) of God
before His royal throne
And begged Him for a priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand,
but as I would depart,
I cried "but Lord, this is a thorn
and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift
that Thou hast given me."
He said, "My child, I give good gifts
and give my best to thee."
I took it home and though at first,
the cruel thorn hurt sore;
As long years passed I learned at last
to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn
without this added grace.
He takes the thorn to pin aside.....
the veil which hides His face.
Martha Snell Nicholson

Common Bonds

Having spent the past week sitting in the ICU waiting room, you quickly see you are not the only hurting person. Some families have come and gone due to their loved one improving, passing on, or being transferred. It has been good the past couple of days to begin to see opportunities the Lord is giving to us to minister even in the midst of our own pain. Our focus is to be on Christ, not our own anguish or set of circumstances. He promises to be with us and to comfort us, we need to share that with others who hurt.
Last night was one of those times. As we walked out of the ICU unit there were four teens sitting in the hall obviously shaken. I have to be completely honest with you, I really wanted to look the other way. Feeling that my own pain was too great to be able to comfort someone else. Yet as we looked though the window of the waiting room at them and then at one another, there was no question what the Lord wanted us to do. As I walked around the corner and opened my arms the young girl of about 14 fell into my arms and sobbed. Their father had had a stroke. As I rocked her in my arms and stroked her hair I assured her of the comfort we all can have in Christ. At the same time Doug comforted her brothers in a fatherly manner. It was then that we were able to have prayer with them and their spirits were quieted.
Afterward as we sat quietly and comforted one another we were amazed at the grace God provides when we need it. This morning when we arrived a gentleman was waiting and Doug had the opportunity to have prayer with him. Then later the mother of the teens came out of her husbands ICU room and we were able to talk with her and have prayer.
I guess all of this rambling to say that no matter what circumstance one finds themselves in along the road of life, we can and should always be willing to reach out to others in need. It creates a common bond so that can bridge a friendship and focus on Christ.

God Reigns in The Storm

There's a tempest that can flood the soul,
when troubles pound like crashing waves.
In these afflictions I have realized,
there's a place that I can hide.
I know that God has promised me
His strength,
and His word can never fail.
He is faithful, O so faithful.

There are sovereign days holding all my days.
Yes, I know God reigns in the storm.
Every trial and pain,wisdom has ordained.
Yes, I know God reigns in the storm.

There's a midnight that can fill the soul,
when the darkness knows no end.
And though it feels like I am all alone,
there's a truth that gives me hope.
I know the one who has counted all my tears,
and He is nearer than my breath.
He is with me, always with me.

There's so many things I don't understand.
But I know His every plan for me is good.

He Reigns.

found in A Steadfast Heart

Shaken But Not Stirred

Written the day this valley opened and swallowed us:

You have heard the phrase shaken to the core, right? I’m sure you have all been there as have I. Earlier today I was chatting with my daughter-in-law, then a few hours later she called again. Though when I heard her voice, I knew something was wrong. Yet I don’t think I expected what she said. I could hardly hear her and knew that sirens were going, but then I did hear her…………” I’m in an ambulance with Nathan he is being rushed to the hospital!” Then she lost her signal-------------shaken to the core, YES I was. After what seem an eternity I began getting text from her to get the details to us.

Tonight, I request your faithful genuine prayer support, Nathan is in a hospital in Glenns Falls, NY in ICU. He is 31 years old and has had a stroke. He has received meds that have been known to reverse or greatly deplete the damage. However, it will be 24 hours before we know the results. Currently, he cannot speak nor move his right side. The Dr. was encouraged though that he responds to questions by winking and moving his left foot.

Overwhelmed at being 4,000 miles away well my heart aches to instantly be there. We are in the process of assessing things here to see how soon we can get there. Actually we just returned from a brief furlough three weeks ago and had no plan to travel again so soon. God knew though, now didn’t he? NOTHING catches Him by surprise.

So though I am shaken I can truly say I am not stirred…in that though it seems a storm is raging that beautiful peace lies deep within my soul. I know He knows about all of this and the needs involved in all areas. He alone is my refuge and strength!! I covet your prayers for Nathan, his wife Beth and four small children and for Doug and I as we all walk the road together.

Been A Long Time Coming

My mother has told me so many times over the past 34 years to write a book about our journey in ministry. I usually just smile or laugh and tell her some of it is so crazy no one would believe it! Still not sure I'm ready to do that nor probably ever will be but I can't seem to control my mind enough to read during this valley with Nathan. So perhaps I can find a release in letting my thoughts ramble across the keyboard and appear here.

Valley Branch Road, seems a fitting name. Valley's we walk through, some leading to branches along the way with the road in the distance and then times when we are well footed on the road and traveling a path we see a bit more clearly.

Additionally, and perhaps just a side note later after I chose a name, the name of the country road which I grew up in southern Indiana was named, Valley Branch road. So how fitting to start this journey from 'home' of sorts!

A road not chosen

Written a few days ago but the pain was too fresh to post:

Today has been a difficult day for our family, flashes of memories of a road we traveled nearly the same time of year 27 years ago with our youngest son, Westley. I was privileged then to experience the peace and grace of God in my life. A front row seat to watching Him take charge and raise our son up and restore his tiny body. As I pen these words I remind myself that truly these times should not be trials in our lives, rather acceptance of God’s choice for us amazed and privileged to watch Him work and be glorified!!

Nathan did make it through surgery. The words of the Drs. is that he is fighting for his life…and he is truly a fighter. The surgery was extensive and I will spare you the details…or perhaps myself from dwelling on that aspect of things. The bleed was been repaired, the swelling/pressure was reduced and a drain put in place. The next 7-10 days are critical. We have been told there will be damage from the stroke. The stroke by the way was caused by a blocked carotid artery. The extent of damage we will not know for many days and weeks provided God allows him to survive.

Hallelujah, I serve a RISEN SAVIOR and he still performs miracles!! You ladies know my heart as a mother my choice for my son’s life is for him to be raised up and restored to the mighty vibrant servant he had been. I have already had God restore one son to a healthy young man who loves Him and serves Him. My prayer is selfish in that I plead for my Father to do that again. Yet, the picture I am attaching is of us nearly 32 years ago when Nathan was 7 days old. We went forward at Baptist Temple in Springfield, MO and Pastor W.E. Dowell prayed with us as we gave Nathan back to God. Nathan Shoultz has only been on loan to me and entrusted to me to nurture in the admonition of the Lord----he is not mine but God’s, I gave him to the Lord those many years ago so that God would use him for HIS Glory. I must remind myself of that as we journey down this road of unknowns and know that God does already know!

I have no words to express my thankfulness to you for your prayer. Truly thousands are going to the Throne on Nathan’s behalf.

As we ascended from Juneau I looked out the window at the majestic mountains
decorated with blankets of snow and kissed with sunshine. The ever peaceful
calm that only comes from our Comforter soothed my soul. Reminding me to
drink in the grandeur of His creation then to understand that is mere beauty for
us to enjoy. We are His creation that He desires fellowship. I was comforted in
knowing if He can make majestic scenery, oh my what He must desire for us to
see in His work with Nathan! As I write this I have headphones on and am
listening to the gentle tenor of the songs Nathan penned for the Olympian CD.
As the words to the song he penned---MAKE ME reverberate in my ears I see my
son's heart and know that truly he is a young man after God's own heart!

MAKE ME
Jesus make me Your humble servant,
Grow me in Your grace,
For I want to follow after You,
And seek Your face.

Jesus I love You,
Jesus I'll follow after you.

Jesus make me a missionary,
To tell the world Your Good News
For the world is dying without You,
Help me take them Your truth.

Jesus I love You,
Jesus I'll follow after You.

Jesus make me an Olympian,
Keep my eyes on the Cross,
For I want to hear you say,"well done",
When I look in Your eyes.

Jesus I love You,
Jesus I'll follow after You.