Pretty much every day since February 1st, someone at our house has been sick with something...but...to avoid exaggeration...it has probably been 1 or 2 "bugs" that the four of them have managed to pass around to each other and us in relay form...ending in a couple of secondary issues like pneumonia...
I'm tired. Lack of decent sleep is a bad thing.
But, overall, this has actually been a really good month. We've been reading, playing games, just kind of hanging around a bit more than would be normal for the Chuppies.
And I've met a new friend.
I've had more time to read, especially things I normally wouldn't...
Since January, I've been trying to work my way through Lettie Cowman's "Streams in the Desert". She introduced me to a series of poems by Annie Johnson Flint...
Annie's touching and meaningful words, inspired me to look into the details of her life:
Briefly... Annie Johnson Flint was born on Christmas Eve in 1866. Most of her life was filled with pain. As a child, she was orphaned when her mother died during her baby sister's birth. After her father's death, she and her sister were eventually adopted by the Flint family. After high school, both of her adopted parents died within months of each other and her frail younger sister was also struggling with health issues. As Annie tried to provide for the two of them through teaching, she began to evidence signs of severe arthritis. Within a short amount of time, the twice-orphaned Annie, was admitted to Clifton Springs Sanitarium where the doctors concluded she would be an invalid for life. Pushing through the pain, she forced her stiff fingers and swollen joints to pen verse after verse of poetry, initially as a ministry to others, but later as a small source of income for her and her sister. During that time she wrote "He Giveth More Grace"--which I'll share below. She died on September 8, 1932...but God has continue to use her words in the lives of many...
Her words and her pain, put this month's minimal, but extended, sickness into perspective.
And her words lifted my heart and spirit....
"He Giveth More Grace"
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
For His love has no limits, and His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Christ Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
