Blessed Assurance

I'm not feeling too sure of myself tonight. A few minutes ago, I realized the hymn towards the end of this post was playing through my head. What a a blessing.

A little background. I get migraines. Actually, I pretty much usually have a headache, they just get worse on a cyclical basis. Today, I had a really bad one. I could feel it behind my right eye all day long. At one point the pain went down my neck into my back. Anyway, I called my boss to try to get a reprieve. I was just hoping for some time for the medication to kick in. She said no. So, I went in. A note: florescent lights make migraines worse. As soon as I got to work, my already bad headache got more severe. Incapacitating is a better word. I was literally immobilized. It was bad. I couldn't formulate sentences. My head hurt so badly I was crying. The kicker? While I was in the break room trying to recuperate, my coworkers told the managers I was in bad shape and probably (definitely) needed to go home. They said I couldn't. Honestly, I almost walked out. Don't worry, I didn't, but it may not matter too much. I eventually left, but I am also pretty convinced they are going to fire me, because it's probably the second or third time I've had to leave because of a migraine. It's the nature of the beast called "corporation."

So, if you would, pray for me. First that I don't get fired for something completely outside of my control. Secondarily, that God would provide all my needs whether or not they fire me. (My mom thinks I might need to have an MRI. They are expensive.)

Note: my headache is now tolerable due to painkillers, rest, and caffeine (which apparently does something to the blood vessels that helps).

It was such a comfort to realize especially the last verse of this hymn.

Thanks for your prayers.

Words: Fanny Crosby

Music: Pheobe P. Knapp

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain

---

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Has Ended

The following hymn is one of my favorite evening hymns. At the church I attend, we use the 1940 Hymnal which I generally love. :) Often when we have hymn sings in the evening, we'll sing this one towards the end.

A hymn with words by John Ellerton to the tune of St. Clement:

The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking
Our brethren ’neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away:
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.

---

This is such a good reminder of the globalism of our faith. As we sleep here, the church in other parts of the world is awakening to praise our common Lord. Of course the hymn says it much more poetically.


I must admit that as I sat down to blog tonight, I wasn't sure what direction it was going to take. Frankly, I was in a funk most of the afternoon and evening. This was mostly because things weren't going according to my plan. I like the last two lines of the hymn as a reminder. "Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,/Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway." May I learn to own his sway as he orchestrates even the seconds of my life. Amen and Amen.

Dropped the Ball...

Oops, I guess I dropped the ball with regard to blogging. This is partly due to the fact that I have to come up to my church to use the computers and internet here. My laptop is malfunctioning and we don't have reliable internet connection at the house.

So, lots to update you all on.

For the moment, I'm staying in TX. I know that is a disappointment to some. It has been a merry-go-round of decision making. Anyway, until further notice, I am still in the South.

I have applied to a Graduate School for Library Science. I will probably not start until the Spring. This is exciting because it provides some direction. My enrollment will however probably depend on financial aid.

I am working hard to support myself. This is going to continue being the norm. It means very little spare time.

In addition, I have begun to pay attention to some very out of shape areas in my life. I am working on improving myself to better be a servant of the Lord, and hopefully one day a wife and mother.

So, that's about the gist. I'd love to hear from any of you.

:)