ann kiemel

"and Jesus said...

come to the water.

stand by My side.

I know you are thirsty.

you won't be denied.

l felt every tear that

in darkness you cried.

and l'm here to remind you

that for those tears l died."

close of another Sabbath.

jan back home ten days after back

surgery and much pain.

"ann, i have to wear this ugly

body brace. my hair is awful.

my spray tan is gone except

for brown spots where i've

been washed and i.v.'s have

been put in. i can't be alone

tomorrow when tom goes to

work, but no one is allowed to

see me like this but you and tom."

well...

my foot is almost 8 weeks

down the road from another

surgery. not better, but worse.

but i can drive with my right

leg. take extra pain medicine

with me...and try.

like Jesus.

bending over the blind.

"Lord, that i might see."

having a sick man lowered

through the roof because of

the massive crowds.

"rise up and walk."

touching the lepers.

the untouchables.

kissing a child's skinned knee.

ministering to a dying, aids'

man. smoothing his gown.

wiping his brow.

calling a dead child back to life.

Jesus was always busy

healing the sick and infirmed.

a woman with a blood issue

had only to touch the hem of His

garment. thousands pushing and

trying to get close, but the second

she touched His cloth, He knew.

God never misses anyone with

unaltering faith. the courage

to believe. to know there is NOTHING a great God can't do!

absolutely nothing.

so...

this week,

amidst the troubles and

sorrows and wrenching, missteps of life, may we keep

our eyes open for the sick and

dying all around us. may we be

what Jesus requires of us.

may we especially remember

that almost everyone comes

to Jesus at a point of need.

i have a friend just diagnosed

with breast cancer. 36 yrs. old.

mother of six. please...pray.  

and that i'll be strong enough to

get off this couch, and nurse jan

so she'll feel no shame.

and for you,

i pray the same.

of life.