Come, Take, Learn
This morning I seemed to sleep in later and feel a little more fatigue than yesterday. I wasn’t sure if that was due to my lack of activity with hospital confinement or other issues. I was somewhat relieved when my infectious disease doctor did say one of the side effects off the antibiotics is fatigue.
This morning Debbie brought in LaMar’s Donuts and then Christian and Bridget and the grandkids arrived. I knew it was going to be a good day! I did get the confirmation that I will return home today and that is in the works as I write my blog for today. I will continue on home antibiotics for two weeks. I did review my year and infection episodes and I have had an infection reoccur every six weeks or so after finishing a round of antibiotics. It seems now that we need to take action on some potential causes and be more aggressive in order to avoid the development of super infection through repeating infections and resistance to antibiotics.
Last night it was good to have Michael come into my room and serve as my nurse for a couple of hours. He was my intensive care nurse during my initial hospitalization and during my surgery last September. He was down on my floor covering for my assigned nurse who had to leave early.
During this hospitalization is has been interesting to compare it to previous ones as far as my strength, independence and range of motion. It is good to be able to manage with just a walker, get myself out of bed and to reach the bed controls. Even in times of setback there are signs of improvement and progress.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
These verses are ones that continually remind us of the Lord’s outstretched hand of invitation to our lives. The challenge for us is to respond. I think of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem saying, “…how often would I have gathered you as a hen her chicks, but you would not.” (Matthew 23:37)
The operative words, the requirement to receive “rest for our souls” and a lift for our load is to “come” “take” and “learn.” We must come to the Lord. He alone is our strength, refuge and source of life. So often we choose other strategies and resources to deal with the burden of life. Jesus simply invites us to come to him. Come with our burdens and fatigue and find rest.
Then we must “take” and “learn.” We must take his yoke. Notice Jesus does not take our yoke. He is the one who leads. When we are yoke with Jesus, we go where He goes, we do what He does. Then we learn of Jesus’ ways and His character. When we do that we find rest for our souls. This is strength from the inside out. Not just a physical rejuvenation. What Jesus offers goes much deeper and has a far greater impact. As I said a few days ago, “when it is well with our soul, it is well with our world.”