Antibiotic Blues & Wounded Souls

With some balloons brought today

The Charmer's constant companions - keeping watch

Nineteen more days of 2400 mg of antibiotic a day.

Four times a day, The Charmer must drink a semi-sweet, funky-smelling cup of antibiotic cheer.  He tells us, we have to "kill the bad guys" in his leg...and we agree...but the impact of such high doses of antibiotic on a little guy's body, does cause concern.  Please pray for his body to withstand the high doses and that his stomach and digestive system are not compromised. 

He's had visitors come by to cheer him.  He's proud of the holes in his legs and loves to show them off.  He tells them all, with authority, "I'm gonna walk."

Some from the High School came to visit and bring some cheer

In other seasons of life, we have run like crazy people, day in and day out.  Now, we must settle down, observe a cautious pace, and walk this journey along side The Charmer.  There are many realizations that come upon me with this slower gait...more time to think and process...more time to write.

It brings compassion for those who deal with chronic illness.  I'm thinking of my dear friend back in the States who has dealt with chronic, debilitating illness and disease for years.  She has soldiered on with strength and has remarkably retained her compassion for others.  As we are now planning regular visits to the hospitals to see Shi-yu and Jin Jin, I'm reminded of the number of times I've seen this friend go beyond her pain and circumstance to advocate and love on others while she herself is confined to a hospital bed.  I hope to be sensitive to the needs of others around us who are dealing with hardship. It seems to make our load lighter when we can still see those around us, their needs, and strive to love them along the way.

Wherever we are in our lives, at work, at school, in the hospital, in government offices,  at service clubs, at the grocery store...people surround us.  People who are hurting and afraid.  Those of us who have the Hope that our Father brings are never empty-handed.  We have gifts to give.  We have light to share.

Often we see people begging here.  Tattered and torn, some owned by others...they are all marginalized by society.  They sometimes display a sign before them on the city sidewalk proclaiming their needs...money for medical care, transportation costs, food...we have been impressed at times to sit with them, to get involved, to inquire further about how we might help.  In some ways, those souls are easier to see, to identify.  They display it all...desperate for help.

Yet, wherever you find yourself reading this, you will brush up against hearts today that have just as dire needs, but because of different life circumstances, they are able to conceal those needs from the passers-by.   However, we have the sensitivity of the Spirit who can reveal those in need to us.  I know at times, I have been touched by awareness of the need, but have continued on because I feared it too difficult or uncomfortable to reach out.  I must be willing to stop for the one before me, to do, to offer what I can, to meet them where they are.  To share this Hope I have, and to bless them, to bless them in His name.