Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Sometimes A Light Surprises

I don't know how to put the last weeks into words. They have been intense with end-of-summer activities and fall transitions. September is often a tough month for me. It is self-inflicted - this pressure to start a good school routine while scrubbing a tomato-splattered kitchen and making applesauce.


We've enjoyed many good times with friends and relatives these past weeks, including connecting with many of you readers at various events. It is humbling to know that so many are continue to pray for us. Thank you.

The uncertainties of Ed's health and the return of his headaches this past week has been hard, even when knowing this is a normal side affect to his radiation. We are adjusting his meds in hopes of improvement.



It is now sixteen months since his GBM diagnosis. Senator McCain's death was a reminder of how blessed we are to have Ed as an active part of our family life. But I still wish I could wake up and find this was all a bad dream.


Ed continues to work part time in the mornings and comes home for a nap in the afternoons. I've enjoyed having his help with making applesauce and canning tomatoes. One gift that cancer has given us is lots of extra hours together this summer.



A few months ago I was introduced to the hymn "Sometimes a Light Surprises." This week I was flipping through our hymnal looking for words of encouragement and found this hymn again. After reading a little bit about the author's life, it was obvious that he knew about God's provision during dark times of life.

Sometimes a Light Surprises
by William Cowper
Hymns of the Church #719

Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in His wings;
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it every new;
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E'en let the unknown morrow
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe His people too;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed,
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the fields should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God, the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For while in Him confiding
I cannot but rejoice.

I looked for a recording online of this hymn so that you could hear the tune, but though I found many tunes, I didn't like any of the tunes as well as the one in Hymns of the Church.

14 comments :

  1. I'm so glad you posted today, I keep you all on my prayers, you have been been busy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much for the update, Gina. It is wonderful that Ed is still able to do so much and you are able to make so many memories. I will continue to pray for your family. Big hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  3. QUE BUENO SABER DE TI GINA, ESTABA EMPEZANDO A PREOCUPARME. SEGUIMOS ORANDO POR TU ESPOSO Y TODOS USTEDES. DIOS TIENE EL CONTROL DE TODO. BENDICIONES.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad to hear that Ed is still doing well. He, as well as your whole family, is always in our prayers. Wonderful to be able to do so many things together. Praise our Lord for Ed's renewed health & energy! God bless you all!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is good to see you writing again, you have been in our prayers often. God's grace is evident here and may He continue to carry you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the update; I check everyday and keep your family close in thought and prayer. I’ve been especially thinking of you recently as I use so many of the recipes on your blog for this summer’s very bountiful tomato crop...including tomato powder!
    May you find joys in the simple and the gentle.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 'E'en let the unknown morrow
    Bring with it what may'....cheerfully?

    Wow. If our God enables us to live life this way then He is definitely worth serving. Praise His Name!~~ Prayers♡

    ReplyDelete
  8. Keeping you all in our prayers.God bless you all. Sue

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your pictures - one nice thing about summer preserving is that some can be done outdoors! Sometimes I wish people lived outdoors like animals so there wasn't so much housework :P

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. September is emotional even under the best of circumstances, I think. Not sure why. Praying for you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This song is in our hymnal! I love the words.

    Bless you. I thought of you, too, when I read of Senator McCain's death.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Could you possibly post your keto recipes? Our cousin was just diagnosed with cancer and recipes would be helpful. Even experimental ones! ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd like to share some more recipes as I get time. But there is lots of info online. One website I like for keto recipes is Diet Doctor. There are many others. So sorry that your cousin has this cancer experience.
      Gina

      Delete

I love to hear from you.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails