Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Sometimes we need someone with skin.

Years ago, when my sister was going through a life threatening illness and a tremendous personal trial, she spent hours in prayer and in God's Word. She recorded her thoughts in a journal. When she shared them with me I was amazed at the Holy Spirit power and the faith within her words. As I read I was reminded of the book of Psalms. And yet, one night when we were talking she broke down in tears and said, that although her trust in God was strong and that he'd carried her through the greatest hurts and trials of her life, that there were times when she needed someone with skin.

Through the years, those words have stayed with me. And in recent weeks I've been wrestling with my own physical challenges and life-changing decisions. I've spent a good deal of time in God's Word and in prayer, but still peace eluded me. I needed flesh and blood people to help me sort out my thoughts. I met with and talked to a few very special people, friends who know me well and who walk close to God, people I knew would speak truth to me and whom I could trust.

I have a way to go in finding my answers but I am at peace. I know God will show me the way. And it is the voices, insights and Godly wisdom of my dear friends who have been a great help. I am incredibly grateful for their prayers and sincere counsel.

It is a blessing to witness God working through Christian family. We are meant to minister to one another. Just the thought makes me smile.

If you find yourself in a place where you need "someone with skin" please don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. That's why God placed us in the midst of his family. We can breathe life into one another.

May you know His peace, glorious peace!

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

4 comments:

  1. Love that expression "someone with skin" becaused that's exactly what I have felt but never been able to articulate. There have been difficult periods in my life when I have felt completely alone and while I knew that my Father in Heaven was right there with me, I needed something more tangible -- and felt horribly guilty for being dissatisfied with 'only' God. It's not that I didn't appreciate him or recognize his hand in my life but...well, like your sister said -- I needed someone with skin. There's a reason we are supposed to gather together, isn't there?

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  2. I totally agree with Kav. And now that I've thought about it, even Jesus needed "someone with skin" when he asked his disciples to be near him in the garden and pray for him. He was disappointed when they had fallen asleep. He needed them.

    I had never thought about it that way. Thanks, Bonnie.

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  3. Hi Kav--so right! We need each other, that's how God designed us. I don't know why we struggle against his design and then feel guilty about wanting to seek guidance and support from our Christian family. We're really pretty silly sometimes.

    But . . . as the years go by I pray for and witness growing wisdom. We're in process.

    Reach out and give a Christian sister or brother a hug today, or maybe even someone who doesn't believe. They need to be loved.

    Many blessings to you.

    Bonie

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  4. Oh yes, Kristen! What a beautiful example of His being fully God and fully man.

    Thank you for the reminder of his humanity.

    Love you, girl.

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