Jean's Blog

I’m joining Lisa-Jo Baker, and the #fiveminutefriday gang over at her place.

It’s great fun. We write freestyle for five minutes flat. No backing up, no second thinking. Set your timer and begin to create. You can find out all the details here.

GO

When we arrived at Lackland AFB, Texas to begin my basic training, my stomach had butterflies.

So excited to be a part of this new venture. When I told my parents about volunteering for the US Air Force, my mother cried and my father (who had been a lifer in the Air Force) said: “Oh no you’re not.”

As tears dried and reality sunk in, I explained this decision was my time to jump into a cause which would not only make a difference in my life, but in others.

Crying each time the flag would be lowered on the base at the end of the day, my ties to patriotism was strong.

My first set of orders were to go to Sembac AFB, Germany. Again, ready to make the big jump. Excited and dreaming about being in a country where my father spent a great deal of time. He would tell us about the beautiful landscape. I could hardly wait.

Two weeks later my orders were changed and I was re-stationed to Texas – my home. Thinking my dreams of life in the military and all it meant had been dashed, it was not long after being at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth, I realized why God asked me to get on board.

My first child was born while there. My father had a major heart attack while there. My favorite aunt died while there. My best friend was reassigned to the base while I was there. My sisters each had their first children while there.

So many great things came of my stay there, and my blind jump off the cliff to volunteer for the US military.

Sometimes closing your eyes and jumping with what you know in your heart is right, gives you the courage to move forward.

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When unexpected events take place our hearts often feel torn in half. Our breath momentarily stops. Our knees weaken. We struggle.

Our brains are like rubber.

We cannot comprehend what we do not know. Sights, sounds, and smells bounce off us as if there is a shield round about us.

God, in His mercy, becomes our strength to stand up. He covers us with a shield so we can work through the now.

We move about. Reach to others, or simply lift our cries to Heaven – Jesus. Jesus. No other words. Because we know, He knows. He does all things well. Just right here and now, well, why. Why?

Death, impairment, massacres, and many other occurrences which make up life on earth render us numb. Only briefly. Then, as if a hammer has been slammed on our foreheads, reality sinks in. It hurts. Sometimes so bad we cannot utter words. Tears fail us. We begin to replay the words or episode over and over in our mind, until our brain allows us to process.

We become one in community. One in spirit. One in love, charity, and compassion.

Moved by our deep desire to help others, we press forward through the pain of the now. Because, we have experienced God’s mercy. His grace. We are His hands and feet in this world.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him. ~Psalm 28:7

This is what happened on Patriot’s Day,  April 16, 2013, in Boston. God became our strength and shield as the bombs exploded at the Boston marathon’s finish line.

People united. In community they moved, loved, touched. They continue this spirit today. Knowing this is not the end of it all.

It is something we may never understand. But we will forgive. We will move on. We will pray. We will unite and stand as a nation in community with each other.

My deepest sympathy and earnest prayers for each and every individual touched by this senseless act of violence.

Yours in Christ and community ~Debra

God bless the USA.

Ms Bacon… Ms Bacon. Can you hear me?

You are fine.

The surgery went well. Are you in pain?

Groaning, confused and experiencing excruciating pain, I replied, yes. Yes I hear you. And Yes. I’m hurting. Bad.

She comes up from behind me, sticks a needle into the IV, and presses the handle on the syringe slow and steady. I fade out again.

This process was repeated for what seemed like minutes to me, but hours to my loved ones waiting.

As I was being wheeled to a room everything was still a blur.  It looked like a closet. Literally. The hospital was full and there had been a mix up.

I was moved to a different floor and room within hours.

After five days and unbelievable complications at every turn; I was released.

God has, and continues to miraculously touch me, as His healing process is working its way through me.

Home is a refuge.

If yours is not, make it one. It is so important to have that place of comfort. Your own sanctuary. A place where you find solace. A healing station.

Home is a place when the light begins to shine again.

Finally moving from our bedroom (where the early stages of my convalescence began) to our living room; bright, and well, home – a place where life happens daily – has allowed the presence of the Lord to minister to me in a different way. Speaking through His Word, and others. Offering reassurance of a brighter day.

During those dark days and nights following surgery, which seemed would never end, God was there; ministering to my suffering, quietly.

When the final pathology came – BENIGN – no cancer, I bowed low before our Lord. So desiring to wash His feet. To minister to Him as He had me. Thanking Him for His mercy and goodness.

Easter celebrations came and went, as I lay seemingly lifeless. My heart ached to be with Him. Collectively. With my church family. Worshiping Him. Remembering Him through communion.

Then, so gently and unexpectedly, His sweet Spirit swept over me. Breathing “I AM. I am here. With you.”

What a time of refreshing there was with my Savior, Jesus and me.

My desire to minister to Jesus, to bow low before Him, was not just because I did not have cancer – I was ready for either report. He does all things well. But, He has been so mindful and caring for me.

What I experienced on Easter morn with Jesus alone, has changed me. Charity, my One Word 2013, unfolded to me like the beautiful rose God represents.

Charity is the ultimate form of love. Of giving wholly of oneself. In love. In spirit. In Him.

Blessings ~Debra

Photo Credit: CreativeCommons/Flicker/joart