REFLECTIONS ON HEALTH ISSUES IN FAMILY LIFE. From Debbie Tomkins
I’ve been a Christian about 30yrs and remember in those early years, feeling like I was riding the crest of the wave. Over the years, obviously there were problems but it wasn’t until 11 years ago that some pretty major things started happening. There was the loss of life which included my brother at a relatively young age and then my dad one year later. After this there were bouts of illness for me and some serious operations for other family members, cancer scares and finally the paralysis of my 2 year old grandson. I can’t list everything but sometimes I look back and cannot believe how relentless it has been and how I have got through it.
How have I got through it and what has God shown me?
I know it to be true that God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness. I have gone to bed some nights feeling that I cannot face the next day and crying as I call out to God. Yet when I wake up the next day, there is strength and hope for the day which wasn’t there the night before. There is a line from the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness which says “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with 10,000 beside”. This has become a prayer for not only myself and my own family but for all I know who are struggling. God keeps reminding me “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you” Jeremiah 29:11
I will end on one of my favourite verses from Psalm 73,
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.