Ever since I was a young girl I have always marveled at the way that God is a personal God who knows not only the hairs on my head, takes cares of the birds of the field, but also uniquely and personally shows Himself over and over again. One of those ways for me has been through dates of times and days over the months and years.
Last year, when Path of Hope was released, I shared that the book was released on the exact day that I had my first appointment for Lyme Treatment. While I have since switched doctors and medical facilities since that appointment, that time and treatment was the foundation that the Lord used to first save my life, discovering that this journey would also include Skin Cancer as well as fighting Lyme.
This year with this release I admit that I was excited to see that it would fall on the first day of Lyme Disease Awareness month. I started writing this specific book in December 2013 so the timing of the release date brings a smile to my face. At the time I was deeply struggling with loneliness and grief, fear, frustration, anger, hopefulness and hopelessness in addition to a myriad of other emotions when a stack of beautiful letters arrived at my front door from some former students. These letters (which I have carried with me in a special notebook and are tattered right now) spoke beautiful truth of God's love, His power to do the impossible, and His never ending mercies for each morning. Several months later, in April 2014 I had the brief opportunity to try to thank these beautiful ladies for their gift. Honestly, I was so overwhelmed with emotion of seeing these dear ladies, being back in my former classroom, and being with my former students and staff members that I loved so much that my words were so choppy and bumbled I wish I could do the entire day again. From the precious words of encouragement and love that I received afterwords, I knew though that my heart had been heard and that was a beautiful gift to my soul.
Visiting in April 2014 renewed my desire to write a book on the topic of the emotions that accompany the Lyme Disease journey and the hope that comes from the truth of scripture on this topic. Truth had met me in deep ways when I visited my old school. I saw clearly the beautiful hope that is found in history and the beautiful truth of from the book of Psalms:
"Those who are wise will take heart, they will see in History the faithful love of the Lord."
Throughout the last couple of years I continued to write this book, more than on the slips of papers, napkins, mediation bags, doctors notes, and lab results, but on my heart. Over the course of time in hospitals, doctors offices, treatment sessions, from my bed when I couldn't sit up, the theme of this book and the truth that I was writing was being imprinted on my heart and soul.
I came across this quote by Paul David Tripp earlier this year and this summer the Lord has brought it to mind again and again, especially in finishing up the last edits of this book:
"Every day you preach to yourself a gospel of your loneliness, inability, and lack of resources or you faithfully preach to yourself the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ."
I need to do this. I needed this book. I needed to be reminded of the truth of the gospel and the hope that comes from that. I need to preach to myself the gospel of Jesus Christ and the tender mercy that meets me in my emotional distress.
The timing of finalizing things with this book release and finishing up last minute items with this book has not been lost on me. This journey through this disease has brought a myriad of different emotions: excitement at the progress of healing that I am slowly experiencing, joy at finding a wonderful and experienced medical team to help me, anger over the lack of understanding and support in the political arena of Lyme, discouragement at the extreme lack of energy I have and the way that fighting Lyme Disease prohibits me from living life fully the way that I wish I could, regret, anger, frustration, and sometimes hopelessness at feeling this journey will never end.
This past week has been especially difficult as I have been fighting intense pain and struggling more than ever. But this past week in many ways is once again reflective of the entire journey... and in many ways life. Our emotions can shift and change and there can be times of hardship and grief and times of highs and joy but truth refreshes even the weariest of emotional droughts.
As I approach another anniversary of when this season began and everything was shattered, I look back on the now tear-stained pages of my Bible with a soft smile. An understanding of truth that has refreshed my soul. Of knowing how my emotions have been met with grace and love and hope, especially on days where I felt I could do nothing but weep.
My prayer with this little book is that it will encourage anyone who reads it, lead them to scripture, remind them that they are not alone in this fight, and gently remind them that the God of hope and truth is very present and active in this often emotional journey.
I am SO excited to announce that it When Truth Refreshes officially released this morning!! You can purchase it where books are sold or on Amazon (also available in Kindle form) and you can click HERE to purchase it!
Thank you to each of you that have already purchased it!! If you have a chance will you take a moment and leave a review? Thank you!! Thank you so much to ALL of you that have been walking this journey with me in prayer! TRULY you are a blessing!!
"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
-Psalm 25:5-
With Love,
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