A LUCKY BREAK?

Dear Sweet Friends,

I have good news to report - God is good!

When I went to the hand surgeon and I signed in at the desk, I noticed this hand surgeon graduated from a medical school in my home state of Wisconsin - I had a feeling this was going to be interesting but did not know how.

After having him review my x-rays, he then felt around on my hand (ouch) and explained he had seen success/failure with both setting the bone as well as surgically using pins. He asked me if he could numb my hand and then feel around again so as to make a better assessment. He also said that it looked like it was broke in such a way that did not lead him to believe there was nerve damage or that the joint was or would be affected by his course of treatment.

After numbing the hand (double ouch) he manipulated it into position (triple ouch) and then splinted it. He then x-rayed the hand to view his work, making sure it was in a good position to heal.

During the course of the examination, I found out the surgeon knew my deceased father-in-law's best friend, who we heard stories about on a regular basis. Suddenly our worlds shrunk as we found our connection to one another. We shared a few stories and laughed together.

After the x-rays processed, he determined that the set was a success and said if I would truly behave myself for the next 2 weeks, not lifting a finger with the left hand, it just may work. I vowed to not cook, clean, scrub or fold until he could x-ray it again in 14 days. (Sounds like a vacation to me!) He will then examine it and make a final assessment. If it looks satisfactory to him, I will complete the healing for several more weeks in a splint. If not, pins will be needed. He felt like this method of treatment would not only give me the benefit of the doubt but spare me financially, a miracle I desperately needed. 100% function is the goal and he feels confident we will attain that.

After receiving a 20% discount, my total bill was only $360.00 vs. what could have been a hospital bill of possibly $10,000.00! I am delighted, to say the least and rejoice in what God has done. He never ceases to amaze me . . . showing up and then showing out. This is just 'part 1' of the testimony as He continues to heal and restore.

Thank you for all your prayers and sweet notes; keep praying because I still have a ways to go. Your thoughts and comments have truly been uplifting and appreciated. I think I have the best-est friends ever!!!

Cyberpsalmist

I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

Last week, after they begged me all day, I took my kids ice skating. As you may already know, this is something I love to do but was grumbling about that particular day. Call it pure laziness, I just didn't feel like it.

After lacing up my skates and getting on the ice, I took a deep breath and remembered why I loved skating so much. The feeling of the blades as they carved my path began to mesmerize me as I rounded the rink. Revolution after revolution had a way of peeling off the stresses of the day/week. So many of my senses are engage on the ice... the wind in my hair, the sound of familiar rink-side music, along with the typical smells of popcorn and pizza coming from the concession stand. My sense of balance is always exercised, a healthy practice which brings long-tern benefits to all of us.

Growing up in the north, I had plenty of opportunity to hone my ice skating skills. Falling happened less and less as me and this frozen surface became more familiar with each other. Because I still have a love for this type of recreation, I am grateful for my years on the ice; it serves me well today.

Last week I had an accident that will briefly delay my figure-skating future for a few weeks: as I was exiting the ice, I under-estimated the wall at the doorway and slammed my fist into it, breaking my fifth metacarpal just below the knuckle. I noticed the severity of it when
I could not use my hand to remove my skates five minutes later. The next day it was confirmed by my doctor through an examination and x-rays that it was a broken bone.

After the shock passed and I was all alone with the Lord, I looked again at the x-rays and Psalm 139: 14 rose up in me declaring, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." I not only knew those words for memory but needed to believe them. My hand, even in its broken state, was beautiful. God authored its amazing function and I needed to believe the Creator was capable of healing His creation.

I rest in His goodness as He completes the work He started, even if I messed it up. He is a good, good God and I choose to trust Him!

Cyberpsalmist

DARK, BUT LOVELY

I stood there for what seemed like forever, looking up at the glowing wonder in the evening sky... silvery blue, with a aura of mystery that surrounded its clean-cut edges. The words came off my tongue instantly as if I had no control of them...

"God, how is it that you can take something with such an ugly, desolate surface and use it to reflect pure light and beauty?"

I have gazed upon this lunar body a thousand times, but never in this frame of mind; His majesty and glory had overtaken me and I was stunned by it. Who in heaven can hang a lantern like that, allowing a soft glow to cover a sometimes brutal existence, but God. Who else can light our darkened paths with His still, small whisper of illumination?

I stand in awe of Him and the magnificence He gave us in the heavens, a reminder to a weary people that we too, are dark, yet lovely.

"I am dark, but lovely, like the daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. "

Song of Solomon 1:5

For your listening pleasure, please go this link and let the words of this song sink deep.

http://www.myspace.com/sarahedwardsihop

CyberPsalmist

THERE IS A RIVER

The wooden bench which sat next to the edge of the mighty St. Johns River, was the perfect place to stop and rest along the Southbank. Hypnotized by the sound of the wake as it knocked against the bulkhead, I gazed out at the glistening waters before me. I am so blessed to be living near this beautifully wound waterway, spiraling through my coastal city.

There are nine major bridges that cross the river, all of them busily serving every extension of Jacksonville, moving people from one place to another. Under those bridges are houses, businesses, shipyards and restaurants; from fishing holes to athletic fields, the banks of the river welcome all to her shores. Traditions such as the 4th of July fireworks, annual lighting of the Christmas tree, as well as various boat parades and exhibits keep residents coming back year after year.

Like the divine grace of God, the river is smoothly flowing, bring all who rest beside her, sweet refreshing. Faithfully flowing, it neither overtakes us by monstrous waves nor meanders in a direction of its own choosing, but stays on course.

I sat and pondered the itinerary of the river. Uniquely flowing north instead of south ( just like that of the Nile,) its 310 miles of lazy liquid aquifer make it the longest river in Florida with a three mile expanse at the widest part. These brackish, cypress stained waters have been flowing long past the currents of time.

David speaks of yet a greater river . . . one whose waters bring pure delight to the body of Christ. Her tributaries are a life source to all who prefer the canals and creeks over the main stream and her main purpose is to refresh and renew. The Lord God inhabits the praises of His people, dwelling in the midst of those who worship His name.

If you have not paid a visit to the river recently, come and delight yourself at the waters edge. Allow the gleaming reflection of the Son to warm your soul and lift your spirit. Dip your feet and allow yourself to laugh with God again. He longs to enjoy you!

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Lord. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved: God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46: 4&5

Cyberpsalmist

HIS TIMING IS PEFECT

The morning air briskly hit me in the face as I rounded the corner leaving the cul-de-sac. A sudden rush of wind nearly blew me off my 2-3 mile walking course. Tightening the drawstring of my hoodie to cover my exposed ears, I was reminded that spring had not yet sprung and we Floridians still have a few cold days left to deal with.

That's OK, because I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I will soon have my fair share of hot days, wishing I could recall what a cool morning felt like. It won't be long until this transplanted Southerner is begging the weatherman to give her some kind of a contrast between one day and the next.

The heat index confronts me with the truth that the temperature is not what it seems, especially when the relative humidity gets factored in, a meteorological in-law I could easily do without. Fans move soggy air from one place to the next and the air-conditioners are set to positions such as "no mercy. Then once again, I will long for the days when I can sit next to my toasty buck stove, stoked full and blazing, complaining about the cold.

I've always loved the fact that seasons change and temperatures vary. Growing up in the North provided me with numerous ways to adapt to my ever-changing surroundings. From ice-skating to swimming, I managed to enjoy every quarterly equinox, grabbing the most from each. But I think the best part was knowing a new season was almost on it's way.

Life's seasons are similar. Just when I think I can't take any more, God has a wonderful way of modifying my environment. Sure, it's good to be content in whatever season we find ourselves in, but God is also preparing us for a change in scenery just the same.

He is never early and certainly never too late when it comes to making these necessary adjustments. In fact, I am always stunned by His impeccable timing. The funny thing is,

contrary to the seasons of the earth, I always forget this fact and begin to lose heart on the back side of the season I'm in.

Jeremiah 5:24 says, "Let us now fear the Lord our God, who gives rain in it's season, both the autumn rain and the spring rain, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest."

God Himself, has a grip on the seasons of my life. According to this truth, He brings me refreshing rains when I need them the most. He is not only in charge of my harvest, but keeps watch over it until it's mine to reap. His timing is perfect!

THE MYSTERY OF HIS LOVE

Remember Nancy Drew? How about the Hardy Boys? For those readers who have never heard of these characters, they were fictional amateur teenage detectives whose self-proclaimed duty was to solve mysteries of every kind. Both of these series lined our bookshelves growing up.

In my opinion, Nancy's life, although contemporary to mine at that time, had an element of intrigue which I coveted. She always seemed to be at the right place, at the right time. From witnessing a crime to gathering the facts, sleuthing added adventure to her everyday, hum-drum life. She was a success at the end of every spine.

So, just what does it take to be a successful detective? Would you have the boldness to carry out the tasks at hand? Asking the right questions and then listening to the answers; looking for holes as well as inconsistencies. Assertiveness along with confidence that you "have the right to know" plays a huge part; understanding your authority and then walking in it. Scrutinizing every detail and then readying yourself for the long haul . . . not quitting until every resource is exhausted; staying focused in hot pursuit until the file reads "Case Closed."

I have a Private Investigator who is in hot pursuit of me. He leaves no stone unturned, no lead undeveloped; every intricacy having value in solving my case. I ran for so many years but His love found me. He chased me with holy boldness and sought after me with an authority like no other. I questioned such a motive but realize now, His determination is directly connected to the sustainable love He offers me. Surely this kind of love will endure to the end.

This, to me, is a mystery . . . that Jesus knows my frame and my frailty; yet He still loves!

Cyberpsalmist- Chrissy Larson

MY HEART YEARNS FOR MORE

Who taught you how to love or did it come naturally? Sometimes I wish there was a class I could attend or better yet, send someone else to, that would teach me/them how to love better. Wouldn't it be great if just like traffic school, there existed a required course for emotional offenders arrested for breaking the laws of the heart?

From my earliest recollections, I was encouraged to show love and forgive wrongs; my siblings gave me plenty of opportunities. As I became more social, deep friendships taught me a lot about being true, trust, and the risks associated with handing my heart over to others.

I didn't take much time for me to hand my heart over to a boy that sat near me in middle school. I was convinced his feelings were mutual and that one day, he would marry me, only to find out he never shared my fantasy.

Almost all of my high school years were spent living out someone else's fantasy . . . I dated one guy who tied up every bit of my wonder years. Then one day, I woke up and said I had enough, but it was too late to recapture what was now in my rear view mirror.

Ahh, the lessons taught from that little piece of reflective 3X8 piece of glass! If I don't learn from the mistakes of my past, then those segments of life have wasted potential. Surely I could somehow use this dung pile for fertilizer.

But I serve a God who knows me inside and out and holds my destiny in the palm of His hand. His purposes for me are true and I was created to give Him glory. He specializes in turning my mourning into dancing; turning my sorrow into joy; giving me beauty for ashes. He gives me His praise for my pain. How can I deny such a love?

Oh, to have someone who knows you this way - what a gift! It makes my feet look for a dance floor; urges me to welcome the dawn of a new day; opens my nostrils to fragrances

I've never known and causes my weary heart to sing again.

I've learned so much from this academy and fear I am a life-long student. I have relinquished a license to love and be loved my way, only to attempt mastering the subject on His terms. Real love is awakened and now my heart yearns for more!

Cyberpsalmist

It's Huge - I'm Back!

What kind of a writer stays away from her blog for over six months? A pretty shabby one for sure. Geez - what a slacker! Will you forgive me for not penning all of my thoughts, dreams and aspirations?

So much has transpired since I last pecked away in this cyber diary . . . but I have decided to move forward instead of hash over the past. All I can say is life is good and Jesus is better. And rather than belabor the many excuses I could interject at this point, I will simply say, "I'm back!"

To all my readers, fans, admirers, lurkers and former students, I just want to say thank you for visiting while I was away. You showed your faithfulness even though I never even showed up. Wow! You are amazing!!!

So with gratefulness in my heart and repentance in my spirit, I press on to the exclamation "mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus." My desire, as my title states, is to reflect, knowing that objects of all sorts really do appear larger than they are if viewed through a rear view mirror.

Is that a bad thing? On the contrary! I firmly believe that every day I am allowed to live and breath is significant, nothing happens by chance, and I want to die doing something I love. These are objects I have had the privilege to reflect on and they appear huge to me. Life is too short to exist without passion.

This has always been a place for not only me to express myself, but you as well. I appreciate any and all of you comments more than you know.

These are my thoughts . . . a penny for yours.

Chrissy/Cyber Psalmist