Lynne

“wounds. Hard work and gracious people have been the key to my health and happiness. If I look very closely, I can still see the faint scars on my heart and mind, but they don’t limit me in any way. They do not burn, they do not itch, and they do not cause any concern. I usually don’t even notice them. And every now and then, when I do see a scar, I smile. My scars remind me of what I’ve endured. And they bear witness to the immeasurable strength within the human spirit, within my spirit.  I’m proud of my scars.”
― Susan I. Spieth, Fall Out: Courage Always Stands its Ground

“Postscript 2: My cancer friend passed away in April 2020. My alcoholic friend is probably going to die from the disease in due course. While my prayers seemed to temporarily help both situations, there remains this struggle with how, why and if prayer works. If prayers are not answered the way we wish, does it mean God doesn’t hear or care? Does it mean nothing changed? Does it mean we failed? Does it even mean anything? This subject has been thoroughly examined by many others and still cannot be fully answered. I happen to believe prayers help, even if things don’t go my way. We still die, we still fail, we still have suffering, pain and evil in this world. Yet, I choose to keep praying anyway. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. October 6, 2019 Salt packets.”
― Susan I. Spieth, I Was a Stranger: Reflections From First-Time Visits to 50 Churches

“Old age didn’t take them by surprise; they knew that if God gave them a long life, then He still would be with them, and He would have a reason for keeping them here. For them, growing older was not something to be denied or dreaded; it was to be embraced as part of God’s plan for their lives. They were ordinary individuals—but men and women of extraordinary faith.”
― Billy Graham, Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well

“For anyone experiencing aches and pains, think of Louis and others like him who endured unbearable suffering in their service to our country. Think of the apostles and other early Christians who were burned at stakes or beheaded because of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. As they did, find a way to use your uncomfortable situation to point others to Him. Then remember the Lord Jesus who came and took upon Himself our guilt and shame to free us from the captivity of sin. What a privilege we have to remind one another that we are blessed in so many ways and that we have the Lord Jesus to comfort us in whatever circumstances we must endure. Some of us may be bedridden or confined to a wheelchair, but we still have important work to do.”
― Billy Graham, Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well