Comfort in times of trouble

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ."

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NLT)

I'm still not feeling very good, even though it's now been more than a week. I went to school this afternoon for the first time since last week's treatment. It was good to see the kids, but exhausting. Between being tired and then still having gastrointestinal issues, it has been a really long week. Last week the doctor essentially said that it is probably going to get worse for a while, before we can back off and start trying to make it more manageable. That is going to present some issues for me with work and just being physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to deal with this for an extended period of time. I need lots of prayer about that, but I'll post more about it later.

Right now, I want to focus on the way that the Lord has used so many of you to encourage me, especially in my hardest times. It's a living example of the 2 Corinthians passage above. I've received notes, emails, facebook posts, and amazing care packages from anonymous people, and from really dear friends. The Lord has used them to encourage me, and at just the right timing. Even when I find a package that has been waiting in the apartment office for two weeks, it turns out to be something that lifts my burden on a really hard day. Please know that God is using your efforts to encourage me and sustain me in this difficult trial.

I want to acknowledge one other amazingly generous gift I received this week. The Hardy's and my family worked together to replace the recliner that they (and Ross Furniture) got for me back in 2008, which broke just a few months ago. That old recliner lasted almost eight years, which given the wear and tear I put on it, was quite amazing. Thank you to my sister, Janet, and Polly Hardy for heading up the search for a new recliner and figuring out how to get it delivered to Illinois, when they were in Maine and North Carolina.

I have fond memories of running around my grandfather's furniture store, Ross Furniture in Dover, NH, and the Hardy's La-z-Boy Showcase in South Portland, ME. I especially liked the leather chairs growing up, and now I seek out coffee shops for their comfortable leather chairs. So I guess it is Starbucks loss that I now I have my own amazingly comfortable leather recliner.

Thanks again to the Hardy's and my family, and to all of you who take time to read my blog, write me notes, or pray for me. Thank you for showing me your love in such in tangible ways. It is an antidote
to the anxiety and depression that might otherwise grab me.