“The Lord Bless You!!!”
Good Morning, hope your new year is off to a wonderful start. I am feeling so much better. Yesterday I walked almost 5 miles, did, 5 miles on my stationary bike, 1,000 meters on my rower and 3 rounds of work on my TRX band. I am highly committed to being one of the healthiest 57 year olds with a brain tumor. Fitness is such an important part of my life and has been for the the last 30 years. I promise as I continue to move forward I will be writing some thoughts on good exercise and nutrition. But today, one more thought around experiencing the Lord’s blessing!
I am not a man who has been sleeping in for years and years. I typically get up early but there are days it is more of a “have to.” For the last several weeks, I wake up and am genuinely excited about getting out of bed. I am having a hard time staying in bed until 5 in the morning. Was up yesterday and today at 4:45am. Right now I am so locked into, “I have today!!” I will take today and today is truly a blessing.
To be completely honest I have been working on and thinking about this idea for years. None of this is a new concept to me, but having a brain tumor and being told my days are numbered has completely locked me into this idea of, “I have today!” I have been browsing though my old journals. This morning I found an entry from 4-29-18 that spoke so specifically to how I have been feeling the last several weeks.
This is a quote from my journal that day. “I sat in my chair at 3:30 in the morning and wept. The blessing of a father or father figure is so healing and important. This book was a sweet reminder of the valuable work I get to do to speak blessing and truth over people, many who have never heard a parent, father, mother bless them. I believe I have done this to Natalie and my children.”
This points out a couple of things. One, I have always struggled with sleeping. I have no idea why in the world I was reading a book at 3:30 in the morning, but that in no way surprises me. I would also recommend that you don’t read books at 3:30 in the morning. Sleep at 3:30 in the morning! The other sweet reminder for me is I grew up without a father. There was a time in my life that this was a huge struggle and loss for me. What I know is true though, is that over the years, God truly became my father. At the core of that reality I began to see and believe that God was with me, for me, believed in me and he became a great source of peace and love in my life.
The truth of God’s love and acceptance, his grace and mercy gives me incredible comfort and peace when I sit with a Dr. who tells me my days are numbered. Now here is the bigger reality. That was true before I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Do you realize your days are numbered. This is true for every human being. It’s just very easy to live our lives day to day and not walk in that reality.
Here is my hope for myself and for each of you. I want you to read this verse a few times. If you journal write it in your notes, revisit it and reflect on it often.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you; and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
You are each loved and of incredible value. Have a beautiful day!!!
Peace,