“Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way’…” (Daniel 10:12-13)
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:12 NIV)
“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 BSB)
Much like 2020, 2021 started with high hopes and great expectations. The first 3 or 4 months of both of these years seemed to be laying a foundation for breakthrough, and then…Bam! the enemy came in like a flood. 2020 was a universal season of sickness and death by way of Covid. 2021 became a personal season of the same for both Melody and I. Melody continued to battle issues with weakness, fatigue, and worst of all, breathing. The combination of these physical battles brought on a raging war against anxiety and panic attacks. Using a BiPap intermittently throughout the day, and a non-invasive respirator through the night, Melody continued to fight the good fight. Weekly visits to the Infusion Center for treatments would help her slow the progression of the weakness and difficulty in breathing. In her relationship with the Lord, her strong network of friends and family, and prayer, Melody remained remarkably hopeful in the midst of a battle that offered very little hope. Very few knew just how serious this battle was, as Melody projected a positive outlook filled with the hope of experiencing fully the healing that belonged to her in Christ. She remained someone that I could follow as she valiantly followed the Lord.
Back in 2018, while Melody laid silent on a ventilator in the hospital, Daddy spoke to my heart and let me know that she would rise up and come back home. he She did. He also informed me that her current battle would not last as long as the 7 year battle that she endured when first diagnosed those many years ago. Even though it had been 3 tough years of battle, armed with that revelation, we both remained hopeful, and filled with faith (Melody was the “Queen of Hope,” and I was the “Man of Faith.” Together we had the perfect combination of faith and hope to see us through – the Dynamic Duo!). Sure, there were down moments, times in which we needed desperately a fresh touch from the Lord, but we refused to give up or give in.
Going from “Glory to Glory,” and “Faith to Faith” implies going from “Battle to Battle.” We were learning both sides of that coin. This brings us to November of 2021. Next time…