[OESY]

Thank you, each and everyone of you, for your very kind thoughts and your prayers. As I wrote Cardi this morning, I must apologize for my delay in expressing my gratitude. I have not been on the Internet all weekend. As I just learned, we were both blessed and our lives enriched by our wives. I don’t usually like to share my personal feelings on line, but Cardi's slides of Italy triggered my note just as I was about to leave for the hospital.

Susan's neurologist says she has vascular (hemorrhagic) dementia, which is characterized by "a thousand micro-hemorrhages" in the cerebrum. She can no longer talk nor recognize words, and sleeps most of the time. In a way, I want her to know I'm doing everything I can for her, not just to fulfill my wedding vows but because I love her. Perhaps it is too late for her to understand. Again, thank you all for allowing this indulgence.

.

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

June 9, 2008

Liberating Truth

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READ: Ephesians 1:3-10

He made us accepted in the Beloved. —Ephesians 1:6

An unmarried missionary had been disparaging herself. She was unhappy with her life in general, but she was especially displeased with what she felt was her low level of spiritual growth.

One morning she looked searchingly at herself in the mirror. Then, very slowly, she said, “God, I thank You that I am myself and can never be anybody else.”

That was her moment of liberating self-acceptance. She realized that by God’s design she was an absolutely unique person, a Christ-redeemed human being who could never be replaced or duplicated.

Do you condemn yourself because you aren’t as spiritual as you think you ought to be? Do you see yourself as a second-rate disciple, lacking the gifts and graces possessed by fellow believers who seem to be models of prayer, witness, and service? We can rise above the mood of self-rejection and enjoy grateful self-acceptance when we put our lives into the nail-pierced hands of Jesus. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, [and] the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7). We are accepted and chosen by Him (vv.4-6).

If the Lord has accepted us, surely we can accept ourselves! That’s the liberating truth.

All praise to the Lamb, accepted I am,
Through faith in the Savior’s adorable name;
In Him I confide, His blood is applied;
For me He hath suffered, for me He hath died. —Wesley

Accepting Jesus’ free gift of salvation frees us to accept ourselves.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 22–23; Proverbs 24:1-12

[DollyCali]

you remain in my thoughts & prayers.. you & Susan both! Thanks for letting us know. Those of us who participate on these theads are like extended family. We share our joys, our heartbreaks, our pix & thoughts.. I appreciate you did this with us.

[JustAmy]

Anytime you need to express your feeling or just need a shoulder, we are here.

Hugs to you and Susan, OESY.

[Billie]

No.... thank YOU, OESY, for sharing with us. It must be the hardest thing to watch her slipping away and being powerless to stop it from happening. I don’t know what else to say but that I am so sorry. Just know my prayers are with you both.

[Kitty Mittens]

God Bless you and your Dear Wife, OESY; you are Both in my Thoughts and Prayers.