My Fear Doesn't Stand a Chance When I Stand in Your Love

My morning routine -- make my daily blog post, check emails, scroll through my social media, encourage and pray for those who reflect they need “team” support and prayer. A valiant, warrior mom’s post stopped me in my tracks yesterday.

This most amazing wife and mom has fought the good fight of faith for her precious son for many years. She is typically in full on battle mode as she keeps him comfortable, celebrates his victories (often a smile does that), dotes on him and does everything she can to help him thrive. But this day, she says (in an excerpt from her post): “Today was one of those days that I feel like I’m in a shoot for a movie that I never signed up for a role in. The doctor is talking...I know he’s looking at me and saying things that I’m supposed to remember but all I can feel is the storm. Three people all looking at me in a doctor’s office. Waiting. Waiting for me to make the call. I can’t even remember what the choices were. If that’s what you even want to call them.
Why do I have to make the choice? I’m not ready. What did you say? My husband isn’t here. Why? Why us? Why more? All the while looking around the room in a half daze like where are the cameras? There must be cameras here because this doesn’t happen in real life. Touché. Oh, how I wish this cup could pass us. I feel like I’m starting to lose hope. I feel like this war we have been faithfully waging will never be won. I’m tired of having bad days more than we have good days.”

Early this morning, I was hearing (in my head) Josh Baldwin’s song: “Stand in Your Love”. I thought about the lyrics when I read this friend’s post so I commented: “I know why I was thinking about this song this morning before I read your post. Sweet girl! You are such a valiant warrior and a most amazing mother to this precious little man! We continue to stand and when we've done all to stand -- we keep standing because we're standing in God's love! Listen to this song because I know it will minister to you! Love you so much!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T2tMt0Ky6g

I don’t typically pass along someone’s post, but this day I sensed there are others who feel just like my friend. You’ve been given news that has jolted you. You are overcome with pressures and concerns about what today and tomorrow will hold for you and your loved one. You are ready to throw in the towel and give up. The strong faith you once had feels like it has drained entirely out of you. You, too, are ridden with starting to lose hope and you think the war you are waging will never be won.

I tell you what I told this sweet friend. STAND!!! Don’t give up! God is saying “Hold on, My child! Weeping lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

I believe Josh Baldwin’s song lyrics are for you today, too:
When darkness tries to roll over my bones;
When sorrow comes to steal the joy I own;
When brokenness and pain is all I know;
Oh, I won't be shaken, no, I won't be shaken.

My fear doesn't stand a chance;
When I stand in Your love.

The good news is this sweet mama put her combat boots back on and she is standing strong another day – for a miracle. I love her Facebook banner. It says: “Expect a miracle. All things are possible.” And I speak that to you, too, mighty warriors! You and God have got this! You are an overcomer and are equipped for victory! Tough times don't last, but tough people, with God's help, do!

Oh, Yes, My Dear – You ARE a Star

At my weekly Bible study group, we were discussing the famous words: “Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) And then Paul the Apostle added “So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (Galatians 3:6,9) Those words pack a punch. Abraham (the father of our faith) continued to believe that indeed he would be a father of many nations and here we are today – one of those stars that God pointed Abraham to when he said, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have!" (Genesis 15:5) Just look at us – we are one of those stars! We are the stars – the descendants – the seeds of Abraham!

Continuing on with our discussions, when I heard those words “His faith was accounted to him as righteousness”, I thought about the faith journey of Abby Johnson’s parents who kept praying and believing for their daughter to come to her senses during the eight years that she worked for Planned Parenthood. I’m sure it seemed hopeless to them as Abby continued to “sell” over 22,000 abortions to women, but they didn’t give up on God and their prayers were answered.

I mentioned to my group, “I know what that kind of faith is all about. You see, my husband and I had that relentless faith when we were believing for his healing from cancer. We refused to believe anything other than his healing. We really weren’t in denial. We were in faith.” But, some would say “But, your husband died. Your prayers weren’t answered.” And I contend that they were answered. He was healed. Maybe that wasn’t what we had believed for, but God’s ways are so much higher than our ways. We believed. Others believed with us from around the world. At the end of the day – no one can say “You didn’t have enough faith!” Oh, we did and look at me, now! I’m stronger in faith than I ever was before. My sweetheart is still alive so big in my heart and helping me help others to believe, to trust God, to live for Him and to serve Him with all their hearts.

And, I say to you, my dear, dear friends – know the prayers you’ve prayed – those gut-wrenching, heartfelt prayers for your children, grandchildren, and loved ones, are still on God’s heart too. Don’t give up! That faith “stand” that you’re taking? Don’t stop standing! I pray that you are filled with the Abraham kind-of-faith that will be accounted to you for righteousness, too! Let your faith vision be one of prayers answered, children coming home, families reunited, and many joy-filled times of celebration! After all – that’s what STARS do – they brighten the sky with the wonders of God’s infinite love and grace.

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

I'd Rather Be Remembered for Standing Out Than Forgotten for Blending In

Yesterday morning I saw a Harley Davidson billboard that said, "Why fit in when you can stand out?" -- of course meaning that we would stand out if we drove a Harley. Indeed, that would definitely cause me to STAND-OUT! LOL! And that prompted me to post about the great STAND message I heard Sunday by Pastor Craig Groeschel. We all have that option of just blending in with the crowd and listen to, talk about, act like and participate in the things that the "crowd" does. When we're pushed to the limits in our faith, our values, and our beliefs, do we have the courage to take a STAND? If we're STAND-OUTERS, we can't live a life of passivity. We have to make life decisions based on our determination to never compromise our values, and our relationship with God. I loved this quote, "I'd rather be remembered for standing out than forgotten for blending in."

I want to be a difference maker that rises above the noise. I want to STAND OUT when others complain -- I want to steer them to their blessings. When others worry, I'll STAND OUT by giving my worries and cares to God. When others laugh at an off-colored joke, I'm going to STAND OUT by not laughing or walking away. I will FORGIVE in spite of who wronged me or spoke evil against me. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Bible stood out in total abandonment to their God -- not compromising their belief and trust in Him. I want to be remembered for STANDING OUT, too!!! How about you?

God Has a Plan -- STAND!

At age 14, I was a volunteer Candy Striper at a Dallas hospital. The unique title went with the candy cane, red & white-striped pinafores that we wore. In those days, I aspired to become a nurse, so I took flowers and mail to patients, refilled their water jugs, and other incidental duties. But, those plans were dashed when I married my handsome 18-year-old sweetheart when, at 17, I graduated high school. I became an office clerk to help put him through college. The next year, I gave birth to our son. If I had it to do all over again -- I’d do it all over again -- because that was the journey that God destined for us! Looking back through the rear view mirror and living with “if only” thoughts does not serve us well. God always tells us to press on, go forward, rise and shine, and "remember not the former things" (Isaiah 43:18)!

Unexpectedly in our journey of faith, I did become an “unofficial” nurse – not as I had dreamed it to be, but one God called me to at the time. My husband had a severe staph infection that required 8 weeks of antibiotics by I.V. After brief training, I was able to give him the I.V. three times a day. I’ll admit my hesitancy to take on such a critical responsibility that I had only witnessed the "pros" (RN's) perform in the hospital. At first, it seemed overwhelming, with so many sterilizing techniques, flushing the lines, clamping and not clamping, and calculating the drip timing, but I got it down quite well.

The challenges we faced were often daunting, and Nurse Donna continued to be on duty until my sweet man graduated to heaven. But, we never wavered from our STAND of faith. God’s Word was our surest foundation in every turn of the road in our journey. We knew our faith, as well as the prayers and support of friends and family, gave us the tenacity to "STAND" and press on to the finish line. These lyrics of gospel recording artist, Donnie McClurkin, “Stand”, undergirded us. I give these words to you to encourage you in whatever role you may find yourself in -- as someone’s nurse, caregiver, companion, friend, or, even to be the one that is the recipient of the love and care - wherever your journey takes you, today, or in the future, let these words resonate within you and encourage you to keep STANDING!

“STAND”, by Donnie McClurkin
Tell me, what do you give when you've given your all,
And it seems like you can't make it through?
Well you just stand, when there's nothing left to do.
You just stand, watch the Lord see you through.
Yes, after you done all you can, you just stand.
You just stand, and endure,
God has a purpose, yes, God has a plan.

Don't you dare give up through the storm, stand through the rain,
Through the hurt, yes, through the pain,
Don't you bow, and don't bend, don't give up, no, don't give in.
Hold on, just be strong, God will step in and it won't be long.
After you've gone through the storm, after you gone through the rain,
After you done all you can.....you just stand.

Nurse Donna On Duty 24/7

At age 14, I was a Candy Striper at a hospital in Dallas. The unique job title represented the candy cane look of the red and white-striped pinafores we wore. Back in those days, I aspired to one day being a nurse, so, like other teenage girls, we volunteered to assist the nurses at the hospital by serving the patients in basic ways (i.e., taking them flowers and mail, refilling their water jugs, carrying medical specimens to the lab, etc.). But, those plans were dashed when I married my handsome 18 years old sweetheart when I was just out of high school, and just 17 years old, and then worked as a receptionist and bookkeeper to help put him through college. Then the next year, when I turned 18, I gave birth to our son. If I had it to do all over again…….I’d do it all over again……..no changes, because it’s been the journey that God destined for us! Looking back through the rear view mirror and being constantly living in the “if only” stages of our lives does not serve us well. God is always telling us to “press on”, go forth, rise and shine, and "remember not the former things"! And, that’s what we’ve been doing for 44 years now.

Fast forward to August, 2010…..after 3 weeks and 2 days in the hospital and the fifth surgery in 3-1/2 months, we are so thankful to finally be at home. Aw…home sweet home…there’s just no bed like “our bed”. But “home” has become somewhat of a make-shift hospital as here I am, at last, being a nurse, but not exactly as I dreamed it would be. Though the severe staph infection has been cleared up per the negative lab reports, my Honey must still be on antibiotics by I.V. for 6-8 weeks to ensure the infection is long gone. So, with a brief training program from our Home Health Care Nurse, I am officially giving him the antibiotics by I.V. three times a day. I’ll admit my hesitancy to take on such a role that I only witnessed the professional Registered Nurses performing in the hospital. It did seem overwhelming at first with so many sterilizing techniques, flushing the lines, clamping and not clamping, and calculating the drip timing, but like a good student who practices and prepares, I’ve got it down pretty good – 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Pressing through the intense back pain that has continued throughout our journey, and now having to use a walker to assist him in regaining strength to his legs that were so affected by the tumor that had compressed his spinal cord, Ron has prevailed as the known optimist that he has always been. His ability to smile in the face of overwhelming personal challenges has been amazing, not to mention the fact that his work abilities have been affected. Trusting God for provision has been another huge portion of our faith journey. But we continue to insist that our soul (our will, our mind and our emotions) prospers and is in great form! We realize that maintaining a positive and peaceful attitude (soul prosperity) is key as in I John 3:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” Physical Therapists will be starting to work with him this week to further assist him.

Today was one of those roller coaster days again as we went to two doctors: the urologist and the oncologist. Neither gave us favorable reports and I’ll confess that I’ve had one of those days where the tears flow in unbelief that in such a short time that we could be faced with so many complex health issues. As reported by the oncologist today, “Because of the fast growth, we must begin chemo treatments immediately.” So we are scheduled to start chemo this Friday (via I.V. in the oncologist’s office for one hour) for the next 12 weeks. We were told “chemo doesn’t cure, but it does slow down, and many times remission takes place”. We’ll believe for that!

So Nurse Donna is on duty, and it’s about time to give my patient his next I.V. We are no less in hope and faith, because God’s Word is still our surest foundation in every turn of the road in our journey. We are strengthened and encouraged by the continuous acts of love and support that is coming our way from our wonderful and dear friends and family. We know your prayers are giving us the tenacity to "STAND" and press on to the finish line. I’m reminded of the words of a song of one of my favorite gospel recording artists, Donnie McClurkin, “Stand”. I leave these words with you to encourage you on your faith journey wherever that may be for you today. Much love to you all! Ron & Donna Wuerch

“STAND”, by Donnie McClurkin
Tell me what do you do when you've done all you can.
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child, you just stand. You just stand. Stand.
Don't you give up!
Through the storm, through the rain.
Through the hurt, through the pain.

[Chorus]
Well, you just stand,
When there's nothing left to do
You just stand.
Watch the Lord see you through.
Yes, after you've done all you can,
You just stand.

Don't you bow, don't bend.
Don't give up, don't give in.
Hold on, just be strong.
God will step in and it won't be long.

Child you just stand!