Our elders and staff are reading a book called "Like A Shepherd Lead Us" which has chapters written by a variety of authors. Tonight we are discusssing chapter 4, "I Was Sick And You Looked After Me", by Rubel Shelley. It was a timely read for me. During these 20 months I would be less than honest if I did not admit that I have been filled with many questions about God and His providence. I have asked myself "what did I do to deserve this?", or "what lessons am I not learning". I do better some days than others at knowing that neither of these statements is true. The enemy attacks me with that kind of thinking. Rubel reminded me today that my God is a God of love and compassion and would not orchestrate a trial such as this one just to teach me a lesson. BUT will use this trial to teach me about His love and compassion. And nothing is more true. God has been so faithful to tend to me these past months and all my life. I do know that one lesson that I have learned is that the longer the recovery the more you feel forgotten by those the Lord has placed here to be His hands. It has taught me that I too have been those negilent hands to others who are also having long recoveries. I hope that I will committ to be better about reaching out to them. It isn't hard, just a call, a card, an email makes all the difference in not feeling forgotten. I am hoping that tonight's discussion will stir the heart of the 20 of us there to be more proactive about taking time to let the hurting know that we care and consistently follow up with them until in God's timing they are well, either in this life or eternal life.