Poolside. . .

Peaceful Moments - A Melody of Praise 

(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

It was a pleasant Sunday afternoon, with the sun descending its warm summer rays beyond a beautiful blue sky dotted with white powder puff clouds, when my sister telephoned to invite me to spend the afternoon with her poolside.  I couldn’t resist the invitation.  My bags were packed in no time and I was on my way to her place in the country for some much needed sisterly one-on-one time.  My sister and I are very close, although opportunities like this were rare, due to both our busy schedules at the time (hers more than mine)!  So, I was very much looking forward to spending some time together.

When I arrived, the Adirondack chairs were beckoning us to hurry up and grab a cool refreshing drink along the way, as we were about to spend the rest of the afternoon on the deck poolside. Aaaah…this felt like heaven to me!  A wonderful afternoon to relax, feeling the warmth of the sun as we delved into our sisterly conversations talking about everything and anything that was on our minds, while the crickets were singing in the background and the horses were grazing in the nearby paddock. 

My sister and I have been each other’s confidants throughout our lives.  We have been there for the good times as well as the bad times.  We have laughed until we cried, and cried until we laughed. We have been each other’s sounding board and always have been honest with one another but never judgmental towards one another.  Most importantly, our love is unconditional and we want nothing but the best for one another.  I have been truly blessed to have three beautiful people in my life that I am proud to call my siblings!

As I drove home later that day, I felt refreshed – mentally, physically and emotionally. The change of scenery was good!  Sometimes, when one is troubled by a situation it is difficult to know how to go about solving it. The answers seem unclear or, for that matter, don’t even seem to exist; but, when you have a chance to hear someone else’s viewpoint about the situation this can be very enlightening and encouraging.  The answers all of a sudden, but not always, become so obvious once you have had a chance to talk it over with someone you trust.

That afternoon reminded me of the Biblical story about a man, who was unable to walk, due to a medical condition he had had for 38 years.  However, every day he would sit by the pool of Bethesda (meaning “House of Mercy”) in the hopes someone might eventually come along and help him in the pool.  It was believed an angel from time-to-time would come down and stir up the waters in this pool and the first person to get into these waters after they had been stirred would, in fact, be healed from their illness or disease. Even though this lame man waited day after day, on the other hand, this never happened for him.  Then one day a stranger came along, who knew of this lame man’s situation, and asked, “Do you want to be healed?”  Now the lame man did not initially say “yes” but told the stranger no one ever offered to help him into the pool and someone always went into the pool first before he had a chance.  In response the stranger said, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked" (John 5:1-9). Meanwhile, this stranger had moved along among the multitude of people and the healed man had no idea he had just met Jesus!

I find this story fascinating because even though the lame man did not know who the stranger was he had faith in what the stranger asked him to do.  We do not know if it was the gentleness in Jesus’ voice, the compassion in His eyes, or the gentleness of His temperament, that convinced this lame man to respond so eagerly, but he obviously Listened, Obeyed and Valued and Exalted this “Stranger” who just healed him! This truly is a sign of genuine LOVE when someone has that kind of impact on another person’s life and cares enough to want to help!  Only Jesus can be that special Someone in our lives!

I believe there is an important lesson from this Biblical story about problem-solving and facing challenges in our lives.  For 38 years, this man tried relying on his own means to get well, but all attempts failed.  How often have we tried doing the same thing?  When dealing with a problem, we naturally try solving it on our own, but when all our attempts have failed we become discouraged and despondent.  Then, when we eventually do decide to turn to God, perhaps we tell Him what we think we need to fix our problem rather than realizing what we really need is to let go of the problem and turn it over to Him. If, however, I see each "challenge" in my life as a lesson in problem-solving and endurance, as well as believe in the reassurance of Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, ans the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” then truly I can also proclaim “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Sweet Contentment

He heals the brokenhearted

Brings much comfort to the soul,

He gives such sweet contentment

When life’s trials take their toll.

 ~ Bonita ~