In June, when the terrible auto accident occurred which badly injured my sweet wife, I chose to use this blog and my Twitter account as the means through which to post updates. The two days after the accident saw the amount of visitors to this blog increase from about 200 people a day to well over 3,000 a day. Emails poured in and people were communicating through their Facebook pages all the vital news about Amy’s injuries, surgeries and progress. I know this because, my friend Tom Hinson, who designed and maintains the TT blog, shot me an email and showed me a site traffic report to let me know how many people were staying informed of Amy’s challenges. Wow! Three thousand visitors to my little blog! Well, after a few weeks the updates on Amy were less frequent and I went back to writing devotional blogs and as a result of my dynamic, deeply impacting writing…the site traffic went from over 3,000 back down to around 200 per day.
my wife
is a
rock star.
I was so greatly encouraged this week to see Amy mending on the outside and inside. As I’ve resumed going into the office when I can she has had to face some days without me. Her precious Aunt Jeanette is a gift from God as she takes care of our household needs and helps Amy while I’m away. Our church family has, of course, been immensely helpful in supplying meals, a steady stream of cards in the mail and verbal support which has been vitamins to our spirits. Amy is getting out of the house for a couple of hours at a time in her wheelchair and we are sensing that “normal life” is around the corner. I’m writing today to say that, when she is happy and hopeful, it does me great good. I can function when my wife is hurting…but I can’t do it wholeheartedly. When she is sad, part of me is sad. If discouragement settles upon her, I don’t find myself carefree. When her joy and faith and confidence in her King is motivating her, I am a happy man. God has blessed me with a beautiful family and that precious lady is my queen.
Do you have someone in your life that owns a sizeable chunk of your heart? Here’s your chance to brag on them a little. It doesn’t have to be your spouse – in healthy marriages it should be understood that they own vital importance. It could be a parent, a child, a best friend, a mentor…the list is long. Take a moment and tell us who they are in the comment section below. Maybe they will read what you wrote and your words will place strong wind into their open sails.
Who is it that, when you think of him/her, your heart rejoices?
My Granddaughter, Emma, was born with Downs Syndrome – when she was in her Mother’s womb, we didn’t know if she would make it. When she came into the world she had all the typical Down birth defects and we didn’;t know if she would make it. But at 6 months the Doctor operated and mended her heart – my son calls it Emma Realease 102 – she began to blossom and flower – I wish I could put her before and after pictures out here for all to see – what a testimony to God’ Miracles in our lives. She is the most incredible child – everyone says that Down Syndrome Children are very loving but that isn’t Emma’s forte’ – she is so full of spunk it is unbelievable. The whole world could learn from Emma’s determination – she is the most unbelievable child … she has two older brothers and at six years of age she can hold her own with these two borthers. I’ve never seen anything like it. And sometimes when “Arthur” barks and I fell like complaining – I think of Emma and her determination and her “spunk” . She is my inspiration and my motivation to try harder to do better to not think about the “have nots” but to give it all I’ve got every day. Emma is 6 now and has won her first blue ribbons in a swim meet, shes had her first piano recital – playing twinkle twinkle little star.
My children, especially, my daughter in law are to be commended for making sure Emma has been given every opportunity available to her. My son is a true example of what a “good dad” is all about. And the boys – I’m amazed at how they are with her. Thank you Jesus – we give you all the honor, praise and glory.
I didnt need to think about this one. She is the very calm wind in my sails. How could the Creator and Sustainer of this vast universe know that she would be the next chapter and the other chapters to be in the story of my life. Oh the endless things I could say about my best friend and the perfect gift. Did I forget to say who she is? Oh she is my wife. She is my life.
Hmmmm….your comment sounds a little more special than my ‘Amy is a rock star” comment. Maybe i should’ve put more thought into mine.
my rock is my wife kim 23 years this mo. the LORD blessed and grace me with her. where would i be with out her? i do not deserve her as the many things i have put her through.she knows how to bring me back to earth.when her mother past from cancer,i thought she was a rock then, but when i was diagnosed with cancer she was my boulder,she is the most wonderful women i know,strong, loving,beautiful,and a heart that only GOD could have given.I love her so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . I thank GOD for her everyday. my second rock is don and karon kemp ,i will not forget the day he came to be with me and kim for my first scan,he came in the pouring rain all the way to gainsville 6:30 in the am.what a awesome thing he did,for us .that is what GOD can do for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kim’s a winner, Mark. We both married above ourselves.
Jeff, As you know Elmer and I have had a few “issues” the last while. A couple – true friends,
Jim and Mary Ann Barry have stepped upto be our care-givers. It started when I was in re-hab
last year. Jim came over and helped make a ramp to enable me to get in the house with a wheelchair. Since then it has multiplied to so many other things that have become difficult for us. When we are required to go to Dr’s (in Sandy Springs) they are there to be with us, drive us
and support us with love. Jim has been helping Elmer with yard work that needs to be done and is difficult for Elmer to do alone. I could go on and on with their kindness to us, and most of all
they pray for us and love us as equals…..even though we are quite a bit older than they.
Another person I want to nominate is Shirley Roach. She has had, as I am sure that you are aware, so many physical problems for the last few years….but that does not stop her, she is right there to assist in any way she can, no matter what the task. She is a true “server” and “prayer warrior”. When she can hardly walk she still grits her teeth and and limps along to help in any way she can.
How grateful we are for these that serve…I am sure that there are many more but these mentioned are very high on our list of loved helpers.
I could not agree more with the mentioning of these dear folks, Ann. Each of them are beautiful shepherds and reveal the kindness and commitment of their Lord.
There’s a man you know, Jeff, who has encouraged and enabled me over the past few years in so many ways, practical, spiritual, and more. And not just me, but my wife also. We feel loved. We know we are prayed for, and we know that this man is behind us in all we do. I’ll not name him here – it is part of his character that he would not like that at all. But you know who he is.
Aye, Jonathan! He’s near the top of my own list and I’m sure he would prefer not even to know that from either of us.
Tragic circumstances often bring out the best in us and that is what we experienced with the 3000+ views of your blog during the time immediately after the accident. It is also a testament of how much BOTH of you are loved. Once the urgency or critical nature has passed, we too often return to our own personal “norm” and do not prioritize our time as well as we should. (OK… “we” is actually “me”!) The Spirit speaks and works regardless of gross numbers and I’m thankful that the Spirit seems to have many of your messages targeted directly where I need them…… Yeah, I did not post according to your question but you know me! Love you guys