I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

I suppose those of you who do not know me personally have been wondering why I haven’t been blogging.

I got sick with pneumonia.  I have never had that before and was surprised to find that I had it when I went to the doctor.

I feel as if I have lost the whole month of JULY!  But the month isn’t completely over yet and I am feeling much…much better.

While I was sick, I couldn’t help but think about other people who are sick.  Some with cancer, ALS, and other ailments that are very serious.

There were also about 6 mission trips that I knew were going on during my down time.  I found that while I was “assuming position” each day from bed to couch…couch to bed, that I could at least pray for all that was still taking place.

I just kept thinking…what do people do that don’t have access to medical care.  I couldn’t wrap my mind around how it must feel to be sick or watch a loved one be sick and not be able to get them medical attention.  I felt bad….but I had medicine, a comfortable bed, air conditioning for when I was hot and blankets for when I was cold.

I suppose that is when I really started praying for any and everyone who needed God to comfort and heal them….all across the world.

Billy and I had scheduled to go to Mexico on a mission trip.  I was not able to go, but he was.  They had a large group that went and they were able to accomplish a lot.  It was a great trip.  I am also blessed to have a doctor who goes on Medical mission trips several times a year, giving of his time and skills.

I loved hearing Billy’s stories and seeing the pictures when he returned home.  I know that sometimes in the past, I have felt as if there wasn’t much one could really do to help situations around the world.  I have come to realize that some of the smallest things can make life a little easier, more comfortable and give hope.  Praying for one another is the best thing we can do.   Being willing to go and help where the needs are, here and abroad is next.

I appreciate all the prayers, cards and kind words sent my way.  A few weeks ago my son called to check on me and asked if I felt like talking to my granddaughter Layla.  He said she had been concerned and wanted to speak to me.  I told him I could listen, but I couldn’t really talk.  He explained that to her as she took the phone.  She proceeded to tell me all about some toys in her room and about a cartoon character of two….then she asked me if I was still sick.  I sounded like a bull frog….as I answered yes.  She said…O.K.  Me Me I will have to put you down for a minute….she laid the phone down on her bedroom floor.  I could hear her as she began to pray.  She asked God to make me all better.   She picked up the phone and said….are you better?  Then she said…. oh wait….Me Me I have to put you down again.  She began singing a song that she learned from Vacation Bible School.  It told about how remarkable God was and how nothing was too difficult for Him.

My heart was blessed as I heard her sweet 4 year old voice pray and sing for me.  I could honestly say that I DID feel better.

I was reminded how important it is to lift one another up in prayer.  Prayers from  4 year olds all the way to 80+year olds…. each one precious.

I suppose through time I and others have found that they have prayed for something or someone and it didn’t seem to make a difference.  Maybe the sick person still died or a certain situation in our life didn’t change like we prayed it would.  It is easy to get discouraged.  I am reminded in scripture that whenever someone was healed….they still eventually died.  Now it may have been after they grew old and died from something else but they still died.  It is a part of life.  Sometimes situations do not change…at least from our view.  But we never know what is taking place in hearts.

Prayer is not like rubbing a genie bottle where we get our every wish.

We still are to bring concerns before God, He can comfort in a way we are not capable of doing.  I think prayer is just as beneficial for the one praying as it is for the one we are praying for.  It builds our relationship with God, as we talk to Him about the things on our hearts.  We realize our limits as human beings and recognize the strength and love He offers.  Sometimes if we do not get the answer we want…we act as children do against a parent…we get mad and pout.  We rebel against God.  It has to break God’s heart…..yet He waits to have us come back to Him.

Prayer is just talking to God.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  I think the more we do it…the more we enjoy bringing things to Him.  You will not always get the answer you want…but  you will see God move in many ways.  Sometimes we can see that the answer turns out to be better than we could have ever imagined.  It is both exciting and inspiring.

I was preparing this post yesterday afternoon.  I saved the draft for later so that I could review it.   Within 2 hours Billy and I had two people ask us to pray for friends and loved ones that were on their hearts.  This morning another prayer concern and need for my sister’s neighbor was called into me.  I think it is interesting to see the confirmation that really and truly…..prayer is important.  And if someone ask you to pray….take it seriously and remember to do it.  It only takes a minute.  I hope that as I continue to get better and get back into my normal routine….which I really missed…I will remember others.  I hope you will too.

My mother used to tell me….. when God puts someone on your heart and mind, pray for them.   You may not know why….but God does.

The scripture below helps me when I struggle with things that come up in life.

Sometimes I do not  know how to pray about a situation.  Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  I find that very comforting.

Romans 8:26

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.