This prayer really touched a cord in me today. Today and for the rest or the week, the company Matt works for will be firing people. They have already made huge cuts in spending, wages and in jobs. The job cuts started right before Christmas, happened again in January and now in February. I am beginning to think that there is no end to the job cuts. Everyone is constantly sitting on the edges of their seats hoping that it won't be them, I know we are. I do realize that some cuts have to be made in order to get through the hard times but I also worry about the people who are being fired and those who are having to fire so many people. What is this doing to all of them? What kind of strain is this putting on them; emotionally, socially, spiritually? Today I want to pray for everyone who knows someone who is losing their jobs or having to fire someone. Let's say this prayer together.
O God,
every good gift comes from your hand
and you have been generous to so many
in so many ways...
But the times are changing
and things we have taken for granted
are slipping from our hands and beyond our reach...
As the economy falters
keep our stride firm and strong
even when the familiar path
slips from beneath our step...
Renew our trust in your care for us
and in the help that we can offer each other...
Help us to know the things we truly need,
to let go the things we only want
and to know the difference between the two...
As we let go the extra things, the frills and frolics,
teach us to love the simpler things
and especially the simple joys
that bring us together...
Help us to accept what we have lost
and give us the strength to look again
for work and for hope...
Make us quick to help our neighbor
and to accept our neighbor's help...
Give us the grace of a new beginning
even when we're not sure
where or how to begin...
Renew our desire to be close to you
and refresh a spirit of prayer within us...
Hear us when we cry out to you
and give us confidence
that you hear our every prayer...
Help us to trust in you, O God,
"that all shall be well,
and that all shall be well,
and that all manner of things shall be well..."
Our Father...
(The quotation that ends the prayer is from 14th-century mystic Julian of Norwich)
-ConcordPastor
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Elizabeth's Trips to the ER
On Tuesday afternoon I got Elizabeth up from her nap. I had opened a package of pistachios which Gabriel and Abby had been enjoying. I sat down with Elizabeth and started shelling and hulling the nuts for her to eat. She then started coughing like she was choking on the nuts. I swept she mouth and she spit out the rest. I gave her some water to drink. She drank but all the while she continued to cough. She coughed for a good 20 minutes when I decided to head next door to get a neighbor's opinion on wether I should take her to the ER. After another 20 minutes of fairly steady coughing I took her to the ER. After 1 hour of waiting a nurse practioner looked her over, said she was fine, and that the nuts just irritated her throat. They sent me home.
The next day I was still feeling a little foolish having gone to the ER but at the same time felt it had to be more than just irritation that caused all the coughing. I met Matt for lunch with the kids. During lunch Elizabeth was not acting herself. She didn't eat, would barely drink and was falling asleep at the table. I took her home and put her down for a nap. An hour later I got her up because she was fussy. I noticed two things at this time she had a fever, 103 degrees, and was taking fast, short breaths, kinda like when you are winded after running. I called the doctor's office and got an appointment a few minutes later. When the doctor listened to her and heard the history of the night before he suspected that a piece of pistachio was in her lungs. He then ordered a STAT X-ray at Columbus Regional Hopsital. We got our x-rays and then received a call from the doctor's office telling us to go home the doctor would call us soon. Unfortunately, we thought it would be safe to feed Elizabeth at this point. We were eating when we received another call telling us that there was an obstruction in her left lung and that we were to take her to Riley Hospital. At that point I packed what I thought I might need and headed north. Once we arrived at Riley and got check in I found out the mistake in giving her anything to eat. We had to wait until at least midnight until they could do the surgery. I the mean time her vitals were dropping. By the time they took her her oxygen saturation was at 88% and her pulse was up in the 17o's range. The term for the procedure they were doing was broncloxopy with foreign body removal. When the doctor came to talk to me after the surgery she said that the piece was located in the lower left lobe of her left lung. She handed me a container holding the piece and said it was as big as the tube in which it was stuck. I was also told that there was fluid built up behind the blockage which they suctioned out but would be concerned of pneumonia developing. They went ahead and admitted her at 3:00 a.m. because she was running a fever and high vitals.
Today we were finally sent home around 3:30. Elizabeth was so ready to go she picked up my purse, headed for the door and said "Go Home, Now." She waited long enough to get our paper work and directions and then we left. Elizabeth fell asleep in the car and slept the entire ride back home.
So there is Elizabeth's story. And btw, this was our first trip to the emergency room for any of our kids. I hope and pray that we don't have to do anything like this again.
The next day I was still feeling a little foolish having gone to the ER but at the same time felt it had to be more than just irritation that caused all the coughing. I met Matt for lunch with the kids. During lunch Elizabeth was not acting herself. She didn't eat, would barely drink and was falling asleep at the table. I took her home and put her down for a nap. An hour later I got her up because she was fussy. I noticed two things at this time she had a fever, 103 degrees, and was taking fast, short breaths, kinda like when you are winded after running. I called the doctor's office and got an appointment a few minutes later. When the doctor listened to her and heard the history of the night before he suspected that a piece of pistachio was in her lungs. He then ordered a STAT X-ray at Columbus Regional Hopsital. We got our x-rays and then received a call from the doctor's office telling us to go home the doctor would call us soon. Unfortunately, we thought it would be safe to feed Elizabeth at this point. We were eating when we received another call telling us that there was an obstruction in her left lung and that we were to take her to Riley Hospital. At that point I packed what I thought I might need and headed north. Once we arrived at Riley and got check in I found out the mistake in giving her anything to eat. We had to wait until at least midnight until they could do the surgery. I the mean time her vitals were dropping. By the time they took her her oxygen saturation was at 88% and her pulse was up in the 17o's range. The term for the procedure they were doing was broncloxopy with foreign body removal. When the doctor came to talk to me after the surgery she said that the piece was located in the lower left lobe of her left lung. She handed me a container holding the piece and said it was as big as the tube in which it was stuck. I was also told that there was fluid built up behind the blockage which they suctioned out but would be concerned of pneumonia developing. They went ahead and admitted her at 3:00 a.m. because she was running a fever and high vitals.
Today we were finally sent home around 3:30. Elizabeth was so ready to go she picked up my purse, headed for the door and said "Go Home, Now." She waited long enough to get our paper work and directions and then we left. Elizabeth fell asleep in the car and slept the entire ride back home.
So there is Elizabeth's story. And btw, this was our first trip to the emergency room for any of our kids. I hope and pray that we don't have to do anything like this again.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I am a Christian
By Maya Angelou
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I wa s lost, Now I'm Found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I ha ve my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I wa s lost, Now I'm Found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I ha ve my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
It Makes Me More Thankful
When I read stories like this I remember the power of God and I also remember to be thankful for all that I have and that my family has. We are all well and good and that is a blessing. Please keep Kate and her family in your prayers. They have been through so much.
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