I am participating in a Bible Study by Rick Warren called 40 Days in the Word. The first verse to focus on for this week’s “homework” is Philippians 1:6~ Being confident of this,that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. The suggestion given in the homework is to read this passage aloud several times while placing emphasis on different words. Doing so changes the personal meaning of the text and allows it resonate within you. * Be confident of this… *Being confident of this, that He… *Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you… *Being confident if this, that He who began a good work… You get the point I am sure… I have Crohn’s disease and am dealing with the process of heading towards a remission…that means I am “sick” I guess. Whatever. I can work. I can eat. I can shop,get pedicures..function mostly. I just get to deal with other stuff in the process that keeps me functioning- like pills, seton drains, Remicade infusions, rest… It has been a rough, fairly traumatic few months where I have had far too many people looking at parts of my body that are better left covered up! I have had far too many conversations about bodily functions than I care to admit… Did I mention that I work with all my doctors that have been examining me and taking care of me? Definately some plusses and minuses with that- let me tell you! After a painful, my stomach hurts too much to stand but I have to take my kids to school anyhow kind of morning yesterday I went to spend the day with my friend…who has cancer. We are a pair- her and I. We can honestly discuss our ailments like two old biddies while somehow supporting each other through the ridiculous, nonsensical, unfair hand we have been dealt. After a day like that, I was thankful yet drained…and then I read today’s study assignment while I was sitting in my infusion chair. I find that I can appreciate the verse of the day…. I like to place the emphasis this way: Being confident of this, that He who began a GOOD work in you WILL carry it to completion in Christ Jesus. I want to BE confident that what was started in me will be completed… My story is not completed. My journey is not over. I will continue to fight, I will press on, I will endure because I know a good work has been started in me and it will be completed. I realize, with confidence, that THE ONE who started the good work in me is what I am thankful for…more than anything I am thankful for a Savior. He truly is my deliverer, emancipator, hero, champion, protector, defender, guardian, and liberator. How can I NOT be confident that He will complete what He started? My written prayer to myself in another study book I completed while infusing (it takes 2 1/2 hours an infusion so I have lots of time to be productive!) is an appropriate ending for today. The study is called Faithful Abundant True: Three Lives Going Deeper Still by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer5, and Beth Moore. Dear Lord, I can’t do this. I can’t fight on my own. I don’t have the energy. I don’t have the no-how. Thank you for delivering from the challenge. Thank you for setting me free from having to do it all. Thank you for protecting me, defending me, fighting for me. You aren’t just a hero….You are the TRUE champion. I don’t have to fear that maybe you might lose because I can rest in knowing you have already won. You guard me as You guide me. You are everything a knight in shining armor should be. Forgive me for wanting something different…something less than what you are. I don’t want to settle for less anymore. Amen. That’s the real me folks…