Tag: guillain barre recovery

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Simplify your life by just focusing on “What’s Next!”

It has been five weeks since I last shared my thoughts on how we are to remain “thankful in all things.” I hope some of you noticed and maybe even missed my entries 🙂 There has been a lot going on so I decided to step back a little bit to see if continuing the blog was something I really wanted to do.

During this time, the concept of focusing on “What’s Next” jumped back into my head. It came from when I was recovering from Guillain Barre Syndrome back in 2019, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelguthrie I was paralyzed from the neck down with only a little movement in two toes and two fingers. I honestly don’t know how the “what’s next” mindset came to me. I do know that it was what caused me to focus on what to do next to ensure my recovery versus lamenting my current limitations.

It was all about crossing the T off I CAN’T so that I would have the desire and discipline knowing I Can. Whether it was establishing a routine of taking a nap, eating right, or doing extra rehab sessions, I would say to those caring for me, “just tell me what I need to do next” Dottie and I even decided to not ask how long I would be in rehab because we thought the length would just discourage us. It really became a moment by moment, day by day discipline of not getting ahead of where we were at that point of time.

Over these past few weeks I have been striving to, once again, put this “what’s next” mentality into practice. I have realized staying in the now will propel me forward in both my professional and my personal life. The Israelites were challenged by God in this way. Numbers 9:19: “Yet you in your manifold mercies forsook them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go.” Isaiah 40;31 reminds us. “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” The lesson? Waiting and not looking to far ahead allows us to stay the course without getting discouraged on how far we have to go.

Once in a while, take the time to look back so that you can see how far you have come motivating you forward to where it is you are trying to go or what it is you are trying to achieve.

A friend encouraged me the other day to focus on staying in the now because that is where God resides. It reminded me of Gregory Boyd’s book, Present Perfect. We can’t change what happened in the past but we can learn lessons from it. We can plan for the future but it is not guaranteed. https://biblia.com/bible/niv/james/4/13-15 What we do in the now will help determine what comes next. More often than not, you will fail because we are weak, undisciplined or something causes us to lose our desire. I encourage you to focus only on what’s next using what Jesus told the disciples when they asked, “How are to do your work”? He simply said stay in the now. There is no There is no better way to do “what’s next” “Strive to love me with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  Knowing I love you, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30,31. That way you will know God will be in control of the outcome no matter the result.

Thanks for reading my thoughts on the power of What’s Next. I would love to have you subscribe to the blog if you haven’t already. I can be reached by email at [email protected] Remain #thankfulinallhings.

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The importance of laying our burdens down

A couples group, of which my wife and I are members, had an interesting discussion about what it means when Jesus says in Matthew 11, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I have thought a lot about what this means this week and my purpose of this blog is to share my thoughts hoping it will help you to give it some thought. If you remember my blog post https://thankfulinallthings.com/musings-on-psalms-23/ , verse 2 says the Lord will make us lie down in green pastures. Upon further reflection this verse is not about the Lord, our Shepherd, forcing us to lie down. Instead it is about taking away every distraction or worry so that we can actually relax and rest. Psalm 23:1–3 tells us that the shepherd meets the sheeps’ every need: food, water, rest, safety, and direction. Without this being done, the sheep won’t lay down and rest. Aren’t there many times in our lives that we feel the same way? Good and challenging things coming at us from every direction? Just like the storms the disciples faced in their boat, Jesus promises to calm the wind and waves that cause us anxiety and stress. https://www.biblehub.com/luke/8-24.htm He challenges us to “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.11.28-30.niv

I have thought a lot about this picture of us taking Jesus’ yoke upon us. Can you imagine getting strapped into this yoke without someone next you? I am guessing none of us would make much progress. It would be hard and we would probably walk around in circles. Isn’t that like life when we endeavor to do things on our own? https://vickiejblair.com/2018/01/24/the-purpose-of-the-yoke/ Asking for help not only makes it easier, more productive, but probably more enjoyable too. Jesus want us to lay our burdens down saying, when we do, we will find rest for our souls.

Another interesting thought about the Yoke is farmers will put a stronger more experienced farm animal with one that is not as strong. The stronger and more experienced one helps the weaker one get stronger. That is what Jesus is conveying to us. In our weakness, Christ will make us strong. 2nd Corinthians 12:9 says,  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Jesus does His best work in us when we admit we can’t do things on our own and say “yes Lord, let me strap in with you so you can make my burdens light.” As we become stronger in our faith, we can harness ourselves to others who are not as strong so that they might learn from us.

Max Lucado writes, “The key is this: Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today. “You need someone in the other Yoke space to lift your spirits. You need someone to look you in the face and say, “This isn’t the end. Don’t give up. There is a better place than this. And I’ll lead you there.” Jesus is that person. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6. You know you are heavy laden so accept His offer to come unto Him. Like the sheep, let Him take on all the distractions so you can get some much needed rest.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I can be reached by email at [email protected]. Please forward this to others you think it might encourage. Subscribe to this blog so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted.

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I am grateful for my Proverbs 31 wife


Has it really been three years?  Thought of this post when I was reading Proverbs 31 today.  It always makes me realize how grateful I am for my wife. Particularly when I was suffering from Guillain Barre Syndrome during 2019.   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelguthrie Enjoy this repost from 2020 🙂FEBRUARY 3, 2020 BY MRGBLOG

I am Thankful for all Things but especially my Proverbs 31 woman. Proverbs 31 came to mind when thinking about what my wife, Dottie. Her support has been incredible over this last year and our marriage is stronger now than ever before.
Here is what her sister shared about Dottie being a Proverbs 31 woman. Dottie epitomized the proverbs 31 woman before you were sick. While you were sick she perfected the role. Dottie has always showed her strength of character as a wife and mother. Family first always providing and sacrificing for them.Food… for a skinny girl who really does not like to eat she plans and prepares nutritious food for her loved ones. Food for you was a priority for Dottie when you were in rehab and coming home. No idle hands… sewing lettering reading studying.  She is clothed in strength and dignity…Dottie  always can handle tough situations Stronger than she knows She speaks with wisdom… Listens and speaks wisdom Dottie thinks about what she is going to say and how it should be said Takes notes to help her remember what to ask the doctors and therapists when you were in rehab She has the support, love and admiration of her children and husband. She fears the lord   Studies and prioritizes her relationship with God


I have started paraphrasing scripture while recovering from Guillain Barre Syndrome. It has helped me practically apply the verses that speak out to me. Proverbs 31 came to mind when thinking about what my wife, Dottie. Her support has been incredible over this last year and our marriage is stronger now than ever before.What follows are verses from Proverbs 31 with quotes in bold type from others who watched and wrote me about how God has made Dottie into someone quite special.10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  She allowed her heart to love you more through adversity. She dug deep. She allowed herself to entertain the worst possibility “What if he dies” and then moved on and fought each day. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She stayed in the moment and was determined not to let her thoughts get ahead of her, knowing that being present for Michael would best serve them both — a most generous and loving illustration of “in sickness and in health.” 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. I saw that same adoring face many times. Now, along with that face I witnessed her strong faith-filled, gracious, clear thinking advocacy and encouragement for Michael. the gift of faithful presence. Sitting. Watching. Holding space for God to do his work.  13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She also read and entertained herself in those long days. She adjusted to each change in venue. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  Dottie was organized at the hospital and at home an delegated when she could not be both places 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers but Dottie allowed love ones to help her care for you and her 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  She loved on each staff member. She shared you with your family and with your friends. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  Dottie’s tenderness, grace, and love shone brightly but beneath that surface was a fierce and determined protector. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  Dottie used her keen mind to listen and learn all things medical pertaining to you 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  she kept the unknown future at bay by  savoring each of Michael’s accomplishments no matter how small it might seem and focusing on the immediate needs of the coming day She did it really well-with grace and mercy. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  She believed her God for good. She stayed in high alert mode for months. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; Dottie allowed the kids to deal with Michael”s illness in their own way. She never made them feel they weren’t doing enough. her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” She was intentional in caring for her own primary needs, sleep nutrition and spiritual encouragement from friends.  30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Most of all Dottie kept her focus and trust on God. She continually gathered and processed available information — through the daytime and in the quiet of evening. I treasure the moments we spent together during our visits especially our evening talks, reviewing the day’s milestones and looking ahead to what might unfold during the next day or weeks.   31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. My words now. I honor and cherish her for every day giving me peace and a the words from her friends say, her care for me brought praise from all who witnessed it.

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When the storms of Adversity come, is your life on a firm foundation

I turned 70 this past week.  I thought 60 got my attention!  Yikes! I was fortunate to receive many gifts for my birthday. It reminded me of the thought, “God has given us a gift to be in relationship with Him. All we have to do is open it up in our hearts.” Like Nicodemus https://www.biblehub.com/john/3-3.htm, we can have a spiritual birthday as well. I am grateful that I will celebrate my 44th spiritual birthday later this month.  I accepted the gift God offered me through His Son at Hilltop Ranch in Maryland on a Young Life weekend. 

When asked what I wanted for my birthday, my only wish was to get my family together and that is what happened.(see picture above) After dinner, everyone read Haikus (Maikus 🙂 they had written about me. It was such an affirmation of their love for me and an acknowledgement of the way I have tried to live out the gift God gave me in 1978. 

Philippians 1:29 says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” Oswald Chambers writes in My Upmost,https://utmost.org/ “If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the change very evident in your real life and thought. And when a crisis comes, you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you.

I knew I believed in God but I had never really suffered until my bout with Guillain Barre Syndrome. As I lay paralyzed in the hospital bed, I experienced the Spirit of God in an entirely new way. It was made evident in what was my real now health challenged life and in what I found myself thinking. I was the most amazed person as I realized there was a wonderful difference in me. I was not scared. I was not fearful. Why? Because there was no doubt, God was with me as He had been for most of my life. The suffering drew me deeper into my faith because it was made real in a way that, when all is well, it is just not the same.

I love the lyrics of a song.  https://www.flashlyrics.com/lyrics/john-chisum/firm-foundation-98
Jesus You”re my firm foundation, I know I can stand secure
Jesus You”re my firm foundation, I put my hope in Your holy word
I put my hope in Your holy word
I have a living hope 
I have a future 
God has a plan for me 
Of this I”m sure.

I am confident whatever comes my way I can trust the Lord with the outcome. My birthday gift to you is sharing that you can have this same foundation on which to weather any storm. It come when you put your hope in the One that created you and has made it possible to be in a relationship with you. https://biblehub.com/john/3-16.htm There is no greater gift I can offer. As many of you know, “you will be the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference it will make in you.

I can be reached by email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

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Stop Listening to others and Talk to yourself

Do you let others tell you who you are or who you can or can’t be? How can you make sure you live the life God created for you?

There are encouragers in this world but there are also those who want nothing more than to discourage us. They want to “rain on your parade” by saying what you are trying to do won’t work or can’t be done. In many cases, it is because they don’t want you to get to a better place than them. Isn’t it so easy these days to look around and wish you were someone else. Social Media allows you to see people living what look to be wonderful lives and having the kind of success for which you are striving. The discouragers or the people whose lives look so easy can make us feel second rate causing us to think, “I could never be that kind of person”

Listening to or watching others can cause us to go down a mental rabbit hole which causes us to say things like, “I can’t, I will never, There is no way, or I wish.” That is why God says to Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

The lesson here is we are to speak the right things into our minds and our hearts instead of letting others tell us what kinds of lives we can live. A coach shared this thought process with me years ago. “Do not let others plant bad seeds by saying it can’t be done or that we aren’t good enough. Instead, allow only good seeds to be planted and then pick the right people who will encourage, nourish, and fertilize those positive thoughts. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible” That faith; those good seeds planted in your heart will allow you to slowly but surely cross the T off I Can’t; turning your mindset to I CAN! Why, because you BELIEVE.

So what will you speak into your life today? How will you keep from letting the negative thoughts ( the bad seeds) from strangling the wonderful things you want to accomplish? Meditate on this, the Word of God. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31,32 Free for what? To live the incredible life God has for you. One that produces abundance beyond anything you can imagine. John 10:10 Then go out and show others that goodness and mercy is what the Lord intends for all of us.

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You, yes You, can make a difference in the world.

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about what I learned from my friend Laura Huyett’s memorial service. In it, I shared how she would always ask those who came to care for her, “How is your day going?” One person responded, “my days would be much better if I had more people like you in it“. I was sadly reminded of this very thing last week. I met a woman while recovering at Albemarle Rehab Center from Guillain Barre syndrome. Her name was Teresa Jordan and she absolutely made my very challenging days and nights much better. Unfortunately, she died this past week after a battle with cancer.

https://www.thackerbrothers.com/obituary/Teresa-Jordan Her job obviously was to care for her patients but God created a special bond between her, Dottie, and me. When I was well enough to go home, she and I hugged and cried together. She was always so happy when I would stop by to check on her. The restrictions placed because of Covid robbed me of more time with her. In fact, I didn’t even know she was sick. I am saddened that I did not get a chance to go visit, cheer her up like she did me, and pray. Thankfully, a mutual friend texted this after she died. “She would have loved seeing you. You were her number one patient “of all time.” She cried every time you walked into AHR.” I am glad I made her life better by being in it as she did mine.

Teresa, along with many others like Sheri, Susan, Tony, Rob, Jarrett, and Hilary, exemplified the mantra, my life was better because she was in it. I had no idea I would be writing about her when I posted about Laura’s death. I will now do my best moving forward to carry out both of their legacies in wanting to make other peoples lives better. My hope is that you will be encouraged to do what Matthew 5:16 instructs, “In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” Get out of your own mindset and look around you. There are people crossing your path every day that are really hurting and discouraged. Galatians 6:2 says we are to “Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” … You may be just the person God has chosen to lift them up. Will you respond like Isaiah did in Isaiah 6:8, saying “Here I am Lord, send me”

Teresa, thank you for your life and for what it meant to me. I will never forget you and will always try to find ways to make others feel as special as you did me. Please subscribe to this blog to get email notifications when new content is added. You can reach me by email at [email protected]

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How maintaining your computer teach you about you?

My computer was running slower than normal the other day. I am sure this happens to you from time to time as well. When trouble shooting the problem, I realized that I had over twenty different applications open at the same time. No wonder it’s operating system couldn’t keep up. This led me to think about what I have learned about rest and reset dince my bout with Guillain Barre in 2019. Throughout the day, I engage in many different activities and conversations. I may be only focused on one or two of them at a time but the rest, like the programs on my computer, remain open. They can sap my energy without me knowing it. I hope the following comparisons to your computer and your life will be helpful.


1) Make sure you have the right operating system. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

2) Set times throughout the day to consciously close down things you have finished or will continue working on later. I set alarms on my phone at 6, 9, noon, 3, 6 and 9 for this very reason. I remind myself to Be still and know that I have a God who wants there to be peace and not anxiety in my life. It is like defragging the hard drive. Taking the time to remove the Thoughts, fears, and anxieties things that limit our capabilities and focusing on the abundance God has provided in my life. The First15 devotional shares, “God’s love has the ability to completely overwhelm and satisfy every one of our needs. Everything he gives us satisfies, transforms, and leads us to abundant life.” “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” ISAIAH 66:13

3) I heard someone online the other day share this thought when faced with challenges or defeats. This can be used in your personal life as well as professionally. In each situation, we must Face it, Trace it, Erase it, and then Replace it. One must first FACE and be conscious of what is causing the dilemma. We then must TRACE back to where the problem originated. When we find that place, event or thought, we need to ERASE it and then move forward by REPLACING that negative place with a new mindset. Replace old thoughts with new thoughts w affirmation, word tracks, and memorizing scripture This allows us to become our newest version of our best self. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! It is not unlike a System reboot, a Full on reset. Like Zephaniah 3:17 exhorts, “The LORD your God is in your midst, Victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Rejoice and in spite of the challenges you face no matter what they might be. 


We have the latest versions on our phones and computers, why not make sure we have the latest version of ourselves?

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My word for 2021 is Embrace

I have been doing the One Word challenge https://www.onewordchallenge.com/ for several years now. I wish I had written them all down. I do know that 2018 was Blessed because I realized how often I forgot how much I had for which to be thankful. Who would have guessed when I chose Prayer as my 2019 word, it would be so needed as I battled Guillain Barre Syndrome chronicled here. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelguthrie 2020’s word Generosity was an easy one to choose. I wanted to pay forward the generosity everyone shared with Dottie and me the previous year. Covid19 gave me lots of ways to practice generosity. Thinking of and stepping out to serve others kept me from self-isolation pity parties and spiraling into discouragement. If these last few years have taught me anything, it has been stuff happens that is totally out of my control. That is why my word this year is EMBRACE. My focus will be on two different meanings of the word. “an act of holding someone closely in one’s arms.” and “accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically.” Instead of trying to figure out why things happen, I want to trust God enough knowing “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. Therefore, I can be thankful in all things.
Charles Stanley writes-“Signs of God’s blessing are all around us, but discerning them can be difficult. We tend to think God is moving and blessing us when things are going well—when marriages are thriving, we get the promotion, or sickness is healed. But He blesses us even in the wilderness of our lives—in the unknown, unpredictable, and uncomfortable. When things are difficult, it’s common to believe the solution is to move past our problems—to change our circumstances. But God doesn’t just pluck us out of the desert places. Usually, He comes alongside us, bringing life, water, and renewed hope as we journey onward.”

This is what I want to do with 2021. Embrace whatever comes my way. Over these last two years, I have experienced God’s presence in ways that have deepened my faith. I have learned the need to Abide in Christ to have the confidence I can trust Him no matter what the outcome. Jesus teaches in John 15 that we are to cling to the True Vine. John 15:7 says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. I think we can all agree that clinging on to something during these stormy times sounds like a pretty good idea. It has certainly worked for me and I believe it will work for you as well. This passage communicates we are to be grafted into a place God has prepared for us as a result our faith in Him. The better that attachment the more our new life of faith can flourish. My hope is as I focus on clinging even tighter to my relationship with God, more of what He wants for my life will appear. The result will be the fruit https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/galatians/5/ produced by my embracing Him no matter what 2021 brings with it.

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I know it is easy, but, don’t wish away a season.

I am not sure where or who taught Dottie and me to not wish away a current time in our lives. It could have been when our children were little and as her Mom shared with us “the hours of the day now crawl, but the years will fly by”. Or was it when we moved from the “physically tiring” stage of life into the “emotionally exhausting” time of having teenagers? ? We have all had them haven’t we? Think about time or times where you couldn’t help but say, “once we get through this or that trial or ideal, things will be much better?” If you are like me, several come immediately to mind; including my bout with Guillain Barre and now 9 months of Covid19. So, As we enter into the last couple weeks of Advent, remember the waiting is to be intentional. A time to reflect and prepare ourselves for what God wants to do with us through His son Jesus.

Christmas reminds us we have a loving Father and a wonderful counselor who wants the very best for us. It doesn’t start tomorrow or in the future, it starts right now. We have a choice, every day, to give him thanks. And with a heart of thanksgiving, we realize that no matter what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does more. He teaches us in those moments to prepare us for what lies ahead. He changes our hearts so that we might become better. This 3rd Sunday of #Advent2020,
take time to stop, wait patiently, and expectantly to celebrate the tiny baby who God allowed to change the world. May we prepare our hearts so that we receive Him in love and then go out to serve with hearts full of compassion. This is a time to reflect on the fact that the Mighty God and Prince of Peace has that same compassion for us.
How do we not miss out on what God wants for us right now? Try not waiting 364 days each year for Christmas or Thanksgiving to say thanks and give gifts. Instead, have a thankful heart and the Christmas spirit every day so that you have no regret on how you spent a season no matter what came your way. After all as Eleanor Roosevelt so aptly put it, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift..That is why it is called the Present.”

During this Advent Season, as you wait, work on Making your Present Perfect by keeping God in every moment of your day.

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Advent….Another season of waiting

2019 was a year of waiting to recover from Guillain Barre Syndrome (www.CaringBridge.org/visit/michaelguthrie. Little did I know that 2020 would bring a new kind of waiting; the all clear from Covid19. Although I am physically well and have accomplished my 180 goal stated in this link https://thankfulinallthings.com/tag/transformed/, the doctors have me self-isolating as much as possible. They say that is the best course of action given my compromised immune system because Covid19 can result in Guillain Barre as well. Singer Christopher Cross had that exact thing happen https://youtu.be/aeEe9W8wayw back in March. Along with all of you, we wait for a vaccine that will hopefully allow us to return to our normal lives again sometime in 2021.

Waiting for recovery in 2019 and Covid19 to be brought under control in 2020 has made the season of Advent more poignant for me. Why? Because it is also about waiting and waiting is never easy. I guess that is why they say “patience is a virtue.” ? God’s chosen people had been waiting for a Messiah for a lot longer than a couple of years. God’s son, Jesus, had been prophesied hundreds of years before in Isaiah 7:14. Here is a link to 44 prophesies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the New Testament. https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/swisscottage/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2014/11/44-Prophecies-Jesus-Christ-Fulfilled.pdf

One such prophesy shares about the servant, the messiah for whom they were waiting.

Isaiah 42 goes on to say what the people could expect upon His arrival.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
    or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4     he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Ponder this question on this 2nd Sunday of Advent. For what or for whom are you waiting? Is it something temporal in nature like improved health or the end of Covid19? There is no doubt I have found both are worth waiting for with expectant anticipation. Yet this Christmas season, try waiting on God to show you how He wants to renew your life. There you will find the everlasting Hope that was promised in Isaiah. The hope that comes from God who loved us enough to send His Incarnate Son to live amongst us. Wait on Him friends and watch how he will bring justice to this broken and bruised world that feels like at any moment could be snuffed out like a smoldering wick. Joy to the world, The Lord has come. May we each receive Him personally as our King. When we do we can remain Thankful in All Things.

Thanks for reading my thoughts on what it means to wait during The Advent season. I can be reached by email at [email protected] Please subscribe to the blog if you want to get email notifications when new content is posted.