Dear Friends in Christ,
It feels like awhile since I’ve written to you all but I am glad to say that I am out of the hospital in Novant Rehabilitation again. Needless to say the setbacks have been disappointing but the good news is that I am still gaining strength through time as well as rehabilitation. My hope is that I’ll be able to leave here to finally return home soon and beyond that to return to you at Ebenezer and Reeds. As a funny aside, I made it to the top of the stairs in the therapy here and one of the staff who I know yelled out “Preach!” Believe me, I loved hearing that…
I’ve still got both ahead of me, mastering stairs and preaching too. If I were going to do the latter today, I think I’d talk about strength. I’d start out with 2 Timothy 1:7,
“For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. ” Listen for the promise in those words. At times over the past few weeks I’ve had many feelings of timidity so I know from this experience how hard it is to live this passage out but it is amazing looking back how God has accomplished this in spite of myself at times. God is the well of strength in whatever we face in life. On our own we struggle but with God strength is not only possible but promised. And prayers for strength are welcome and encouraged.
Again, thanks for all your prayers, calls, texts, emails, and cards. You are loving churches and I deeply appreciate that. Take that love into the community and invite others to join our fellowship. I of all people now know how life can change quickly and people not only need the strength of faith but they need to see love lived out. That love is what we need to give others, all others. Thank you all for your love.
In Christ,
Wesley
