Today at the hospital

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She was sitting up when I arrived, allowing the nurses to redress her gauze. Her back was covered in white and red splotchy skin instead of the familiar chocolate color. Skin that was blistering 2 days ago has now peeled off leaving her covered in raw flesh. Her legs shook with the unbearable pain, and in my heart I pleaded with the Lord to give us both strength. The smell of her flesh, the flies seeking entrance into her net, and even the charred flesh of her face made me grateful I hadn't eaten yet. Several times my stomach protested and I quickly begged the Lord to calm my stomach and my spirit. When the nurses were finished, I sat down on the cot next to hers and told her stories. Her days are filled with pain and boredom, and I yearned to relive even a bit of her suffering. As I prayed over her before I left, she begged me not to disappoint her and to come again tomorrow. Lord willing, I will.

Isaiah 61:1-3 says:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.


In Luke, Jesus told the people that He had fulfilled this passage that day, and I do believe He continues to do this each and every day. He came so that He might give life, and healing, and forgiveness, and comfort. Liz has known horrendous pain and suffering both in her body and spirit, and I can only constantly pray that the Lord will bring her healing as well so that she also might become a tree of righteousness for the glory of the Lord. Please continue to pray for her physical and spiritual healing, and for me that I might be a minister of God's love and comfort to her.

Comments

  1. Linnea WheelerFebruary 28, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Oh, I am so glad you are allowing the Spirit to use you in this way, Melanie! I cannot imagine how hard it must be, and yet how much joy and hope you are giving...God is good!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 28, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Micah MayFebruary 28, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Wow Melanie. Wow. I can only imagine the pain that Liz was in and the pain that found your heart when you saw it...Your post made its way straight to my heart. The passage in Isaiah, just spoke volumes about why you would stay so near to a place and situations that bring you so much pain. Knowing that you are God's strong hands and comforting words to people around you makes me so proud to call you my sister. Your perseverance and authenticity make me ask God for your own continued strength and comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hector & LaurenFebruary 29, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    It sounds like the Lord is really using you to encourage someone you didn't even know before. What a blessing to Liz you are...though it's so difficult to share in her suffering (and to keep your food down), keep pressing on, sister. Praying for you all.

    ReplyDelete

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