God don’t make no junk!

As I wake up I thank God for the gift of being alive. The chirping of birds and seeing the sunshine streaming through our home reminds me how much God loves me and all of us. Just think about it. Every day God paints a different picture in the sky. Sometimes, it is grey and cloudy. Other days like today there is a clear blue sky. In the evening before the sun goes down sometimes the sky is purple and grey. Other times there is a tinge of red with grey, blue or purple. When there are cloudy days the formation of them is never the same. Everything God makes is beautiful.

I am still having trouble speaking after my stroke of about a little over a week ago. I can now speak one syllable words without as much trouble. I can grasp light objects with my hands. I can stand a little longer without collapsing. Yes, it’s very frustrating at times because I can’t sing still, which I enjoy doing. It uplifts me when I’m down. It’s a gift from God He calls me to share with Karen and others. I wonder how long it will be before I have a complete recovery or if God like so many other times will leave some of the damage of my stroke with me. That’s entirely up to Him. My part is working with Him to receive the healing He wants me to have.

Dearly beloved family, friends, colleagues and my cherished readers, I thank God for the blessing of knowing you. I feel so many prayers being lifted to God for my healing. I ask in return that you would receive where needed inner and physical healing.

Our pastor, church elders and congregation are praying for us. We join with them in agreeing in prayer for physical healing and restored health.

It’s in these times that voices from our past and present can bring great harm. There are times I feel so helpless. That’s the lie darkness would seek for me to believe. But the truth is I and all of us are never useless. When the apostle Paul says God uses the weak to confound the mighty, He means it. When God says you are the apple of His affection, He means it. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. As Father Mark Gorman said in a sermon I listened to on Food For Life, “God don’t make no junk.”

When I was on retreat at the Cedars at L’Arche in Richmond Hill, which is in Toronto, I saw such gentleness and kindness displayed towards me by staff and core members alike. They didn’t see the wheelchair I was in; they saw me as a person. There is one young man with developmental challenges I will never forget. He was carrying a cross in a procession at the beginning of the service with the priest and others. As I looked into his face I saw such joy! I found it to be so wonderfully infectious. His joy caused me to feel so loved by God. I wanted to join with him in rejoicing.

When you feel you are worthless, that you’re a burden to others, think about that young man and about me. I pray our lives will inspire you.

You will see God doesn’t make any junk.

Kevin and Karen Osborne are Christian pastoral counsellors and psychotherapists. Kevin is studying to become a psychologist and professor of Psychology. He feels called to also be a chaplain. We have started You Can Hope Again Counselling. Karen enjoys doing cross-stitch while I like writing and singing songs. Karen makes me laugh when she sings the kitty bed-time song saying, “It’s that time. It’s the bestest kitty time of the day!” Kevin enjoys teasing the kitties and making them do kitty dances with music. Their kitty, Catherine, loves it when kitty daddeh sings All Things Bright and Beautiful. Kevin likes doing impressions.  He tells children’s stories and helps others with their problems using his hand puppet, Dr. Teddy, who is a therapy bear.  He is a partner with us in our counselling practice.We are available to assist with worship and preaching to give busy pastors and ministers a much-needed break. Please visit our counselling website, where you will also find our blogs. We offer in-office, and phone counselling to anyone in the world.

http://www.youcanhopeagaincounselling.com/