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Listen while you read: "Praise The Saviour Ye Who Know Him"1 (Lyrics) |
On February 24, while visiting in California, USA, I fell and shattered my patella (kneecap). Due to a number of circumstances, surgery was ten days later. But right from the beginning, I was blessed.
I fell on concrete in a parking lot and was immediately surrounded by strangers, all asking how they could help. I'm tall, my knee wasn't working, and I couldn't lever myself up. Finally, two young men picked me up and deposited me in a lady's car. She was not only the first one to stop, but she then took me to where I was staying.
There "just happened" to be a walker in the garage, so I could manoeuvre around the house in a limited manner. A friend brought me a knee brace, another brought me dinner, another took me to the airport the next day to fly home. There I found out that I was upgraded to seat 1-A: first class! That made it much easier to get on and off the plane with one bad leg. Two friendly wheelchair attendants, one at each airport, made my journey much easier.
Surgery was a new experience for me, but the staff was incredibly patient with my questions and uneasiness. Despite others' predictions, I've had no pain! We can't figure out why, except that I'm being prayed for. My daughter is taking excellent care of me.
It's not been an easy few weeks, but I want to focus on the blessings that I've experienced and try to emulate Paul: "Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety." (2 Corinthians 1:11b NLT)
2 Corinthians 1:3b-4 – God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (NLT)
This has also taught me that I need to be more aware of others' pain and suffering. I'm good at taking a few meals or driving people to doctors' appointments, but not very good at the ongoing phone calls and visits that lighten up the day for someone who is confined to the house or the hospital for a prolonged time.
It's easy to forget others' problems when our own lives are going well. But I want to work on using my situation to help me remember not only the blessings that I received but also the ongoing need to comfort others when their lives are interrupted by illness or other trauma. Perhaps you, too, have had an illness or accident in which you were blessed, and that helped you to understand how people need comfort during these times. How can you use that to encourage others in their time of need?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the way that You comfort us in our trials and illnesses. Help us to use those situations to prompt us to be aware of the needs around us and to minister to others in Your name. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Encouraging words, Sharon.
Thanks for a good word, Sharon, and l pray your knee heals perfectly.
Indeed, God blessed you during that time of trouble. Isn’t it wonderful how God brings blessings during difficult times!
And that’s what it’s all about. Jesus did not come to be served and idolized, he came to serve and to teach us to look after one another. Your prayer is truth.
Sharon, I hope you are well and recovering from your injury. You never fail me with your writing and of course, showing where our Lord has led us to see blessings even in pain or lack of it.
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for sharing what can happen to us when we least expect it, and the blessings we receive from others when we need it the most.
Good morning, Sharon, thank you for writing about your experience and how God blessed you during the ordeal. He is always with us and uses others to help us see Him.
With prayers for your continued recovery.
AMEN, Sharon. So. Many times we take for granted not only our health, but the thoughtfulness of others and we do not even connect being thoughtful with God’s wishes.
Thank you for writing.
I hope you are healing well and am so thankful to hear so many stepped up to help you in your time of need.
May we all look for opportunities like you mentioned to also be a blessing to others in their times of need as well. Thank you for sharing, Sharon.
Good morning, Sharon,
God sure has a way of showing His love by sending strangers to help us in our time of need!!
Thankful you got home and may we all remember the lesson… Reach out to others!
God bless.
Thanks for your devotional this morning Sharon. I can sure feel for what you endured with that injury, as I had my left leg injured at the knee years ago and had major surgery. Like you, I received a great amount of help from very caring people. Yes, getting much attention and comfort from others really makes one know how much it means and realize that it is so important to return that help and comfort to others whenever we can.
Blessings for these special and encouraging writings you prepare.
Thank you for the message today. You perfectly summed up what I have been feeling over the last few months as I’ve been so supported by God, friends, and family following a cancer diagnosis. Very little pain, meals, drives, and most importantly, no anxiety! God is so good and shows his love daily! My prognosis is very good, and I look forward to being able to support others through their illnesses.
I hope your knee heals perfectly, and you are quickly back to everything that God leads you to do.
(ON)
Good morning, Sharon,
It is so good to know that there are still people around who will help us in times of need.
Great outcome, in so many ways and a great lesson in caring!
Thanks so much for a reminder to look around us for the low, the lost, and the lonely.
Bless you, Sharon.
(BC Canada)
Appreciated this devotion and passed it on to a few others!!!
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for your devotional today. What a good reminder! It is so easy to forget about the long-term needs as well as the immediate ones. I will try to do better myself.