Dear friends
Today marks the first anniversary of my open heart surgery at the (old) Calvary Wakefield Hospital, and I just wanted to thank you again for my praying for me during that time – and in the months since then…
Not that I remember very much about that day (1 July 2019)… At 7.30 am I had taken a couple of sleeping tablets and was being ‘prepped’ in an area next to Theatre, and was just having a light-hearted conversation with the anaesthetist, with her bright beaming smile, and mentioning to the whole surgical team how my friends had been praying for me, and for them (they appreciated that!) – and then I shuffled on to the operating table, amazed at how narrow it was … and then I just turned towards my left, to respond to an elderly nurse I had not noticed before, and she was patting my forehead and quietly talking to me in a soothing voice, saying how well the surgery had gone, and how everything was just fine! So I said, “What? You’re joking! I haven’t even gone into Theatre yet, and I haven’t had the anaesthetic or anything…” “Well, actually,”, she replied, “You’ve been asleep for 12 hours, and it’s now 7.30 pm and dark outside!” Ah… the joys of General Anaesthetic…
Maybe when we die, that’s just how it will be – “a thousand years are like a day” (Psalm 90 v 4; 2 Peter 3 v 8, 9) – time simply flashes by and we are completely unaware of it… What do you think?
So, many of you have been asking me how I am – my answer is that I have good days, and not-so-good days, but generally the not-so-good days are getting less frequent. I would appreciate prayers for strength and stamina and hope, as I tire easily, and sometimes feel depressed, and I’m working hard to build up my new company. Please also pray for my family members, as we cope with the extra stresses and challenges during these difficult Covid-19 times…
I feel that a year ago God spared my life, and this was a purpose. There’s a sense in which I’m still trying to work out what that purpose is, so I would value some prayer for this also.
As it’s mid-year, I thought it would be good to take a short break from the regular Zoom-style Flinders Street Bible Studies, and so the next ‘meeting’ on Isaiah 13 and 14 will be on Wednesday 22 July 2020, and a meeting invite will be emailed to you nearer the time.
Do you have a favourite Bible verse (or passage) you can share?
I have many texts that have helped me during this past year, but I will share just one – from Joshua 1 v 9:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The last part is key – knowing that Jesus is with me wherever I go is a wonderful encouragement!
Blessings, Adrian