The Joy of the Lord is My Strength
Hello. My name is Ann Georgi and I am privileged to be invited to write notes of encouragement here and to offer hope in stressful or difficult times. I have always enjoyed writing and have been urged to write for publishing by several people over the years and recently an occasion presented itself wherein I began writing regularly in another venue. Responses indicate that many people are encouraged by the writings. My prayer is that my writings here will bless and uplift someone with the hope and love that can only come from God through Jesus Christ.
My husband was diagnosed about 11 years ago with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and became completely disabled by the disease. After having served for 25 years in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft maintenance officer, it was especially devastating that, as such a fit man, he was transitioning into retirement and only a couple of years later he found himself utterly unable to perform most physical tasks. He has had great difficulty with the simplest of physical activity like walking or putting groceries away and taking out the trash is most often impossible.
In August of 2007, my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The cancer is in the lowest part of his esophagus next to his stomach and just inside the stomach where the esophagus connects. He has been through six weeks of chemo and radiation and has been referred for a couple of types of treatment that he was not found to be fit for, for one reason or another, usually his lungs. Recently though, he was referred for photodynamic therapy (PDT) which is a laser light treatment that is used to burn the cancer cells directly using a laser on a fiberoptic wire inserted through an endoscope down his throat. His is currently recovering slowly from the first two treatments. He will return soon for more chemo and will then have additional laser treatments.
Last month my stepfather died of metastatic lung cancer, survived by my mother, age 70, who has her own share of health problems. My family lives in a different state than where we live.
I share these details with you only so that you will know some of the situation from which I stand and proclaim that the joy of the Lord is my strength. For without my relationship with Him, I cannot fathom how I would possibly handle what we are facing. I know that so many people are suffering, some much worse than are we.
Some find medical help or cures, while others find none or cannot afford them. Some pray and receive healing, while others pray and seem to hear nothing. Some suffer alone. Others suffer in the midst of other hardships: financial, family, or just life happening in the middle of their grief or losses or hardships. Some are suffering as single parents or elderly where there is no one to turn to, to lean on, and no one to encourage or help them. Others are surrounded by lots of loved ones, friends, community members, service providers, caretakers, or brothers and sisters in Christ. Some people are caretakers who often bear burdens no one knows about or no one can do anything about and there is no one to share their load. But there is hope.
Today I simply want to begin to share with you some of the things that I have had on my mind and heart that have helped to shore up my weak legs and help me to stand in times and places where there was no one or nothing else. We have no genetic family where we live but we are blessed with a large spiritual family and we are thankful.
For those readers who have been following my announcements about my husband’s health, some things you read here may seem redundant. I hope they still bless you. If there are others that you feel might be lifted up by these entries, please share this site with them. If you would like to be notified when I make an entry please click on “subscribe” and a notice will be sent to you. If you decide at any point that you do not want to continue receiving the notices, simply send an email and we will remove your subscription. My writing here is my theology, my philosophy, my opinion, my experience, and my expression.
So at this time please allow me to offer you comfort and hope in the Lord. If you are suffering in any way, remember that God’s plan for our suffering is that it result in His glory, that we would use our suffering to build up the Body of Christ and grow it in numbers, and that God’s Son’s death not be dismissed or taken for granted. In times of anger or frustration or loneliness with God, I encourage you to tell Him exactly how mad or stuck or alone you feel. For we have not a High Priest who has not suffered. We have a Lord that knows suffering and is compassionate. He will give you what you need to sustain you.
Though we may not feel His presence or love at times of deep pain, we can rest assured that the pain is indeed temporary, regardless of how many years we might have suffered. We will enter a place one day where there will be no need for tears or pain or heartache; a place of utter and forever freedom! Thank you God, for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus.
Blessings,Ann