The Devil Can Sit On A Tack

Do you remember this chorus? I learned it as a youngster in either children's choir or at junior church camp.

 "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart,

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart today.

I have the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer right down in the depths of my heart, down in the depths of my heart, down in the depths of my heart,

I have the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer right down in the depths of my heart, down in the depths of my heart today!

And if the Devil doesn't like it, he can sit on a tack, OUCH!

Sit on tack, OUCH, Sit on tack,

And if the Devil doesn't like it, he can sit on a tack, OUCH!

Sit on tack to stay!

As you may have noticed, I haven't posted in some time as I was laid up in the hospital for two weeks with cellulitis in my lower leg and an UTI, and then, I convalesed in my mother's home for three. This was a whammy out of the blue and while I still don't know how I got this infection, looking back and talking with fellow Christians, perhaps I shouldn't really be surprised. Reflecting over my life, it seems like at the times when I have turned to doing something really good that opposition happens. Guess the ole devil doesn't like grateful people. Oh, and this isn't the only thing that has happened either in the last few weeks. I mentioned several weeks ago in a gratitude post that repairs to our P.T. Cruiser, which we love, was nominal, but between that repair and my illness, the Cruiser's engine locked up from a major oil leak. We are looking to replace the engine and I'm grateful my father-in-law let us borrow his pick-up to drive.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" ~ John 10:10a

 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. "

~ 1 Peter 5:8-11.

 As an exercise, while in the hospital, I wrote a list of things I should be thankful for out of this experience. Let me share the list with you.

1. I'm grateful for the sprinkling of good nurses I had in both hospitals with two stand-outs -- two Kenyan nurses - Redempta and Simon. Thank you for all your hard work and encouraging words! God bless you both! (Speaking with both nurses reminded me of the legacy of the missionary I knew, Ms. Edna Thimes).

2. I'm grateful to my sister-in-law who sent flowers to my hospital room although she and her family were moving cross-country at the same time!

3. I'm thankful for the rain we had during my illness. We needed it!

4. I'm thankful both of my hospital rooms were tastefully decorated and had windows so I could see the sky.

5. I'm thankful for the tasty food prepared by the hospital cafeterias served on nice china that I didn't have to cook or wash.

6. I'm thankful for indoor plumbing!

7. I'm thankful I don't have to walk in another person's shoes. My illnesses could have been much worse.

8. I'm grateful I still have two legs, although one is now purple from the knee down! (I believe if God wants to he can restore my leg to a healthy pink, however, in relation to having no foot or leg, a purple one is just fine! *smile*)

9. I'm thankful for all the friends and family members who prayed for me, visited me in the hospital, went to bat for me for a fan to be delivered to my room, sent cards, sent flower arrangements, took me into their home to convalesce and took me to the wound care appointments and follow-up doctor appointments.

10. I appreciate losing approximately 50 pounds!!!