AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP

My first cruise was quite an adventure. How thrilled I was to be able to be gifted with this wonderful experience. I struggled physically with the ability to enjoy my adventure, however I was blessed with God's mercy. I am so grateful for my family that pushed me at times with my walker. But the one experience that stands out is the powerful love and grace bestowed upon me during one of our excursions.
We arrived at Belize City and was told we would be taking a tender to port. Never having been on a cruise or a tender I had no idea what was in store for me. After waiting on a long line to get off the ship I rounded the corner to see a flight of stairs. "Oh boy," I thought, "How am I going to do this." With a cruise attendant on one side, the Lord on the other, I took one step at a time to get down the stairs. Another attendant carried my walker down for me. Sitting comfortably and safely on a bench I bowed my head and prayed Isaiah 41:10, "Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will lift you up with My victorious right hand." I then looked up and started to fill up with tears. Everything is so difficult for me and my disability seems to be weakening my body. Just then a man in front of me turned around and on the back of his T-shirt was written in bold letters, "YOU SHALL BE VICTORIOUS." Chills ran down my spine. I was filled such joy. I wanted to share it with someone. Unfortunately the sound of the boat and sea made it impossible to speak. It would have to wait until later. Our trip to Belize was nice. Once again physically challenging trying to get in and out of the van that took us sight seeing. However, His words of victory inspired me. On the way back I started getting anxious. "OK God", I said, "I know you love challenges and weakness so Your power can work through me." We waited until everyone was off the tender before my family and I were ready to embark. There was a gap between the tender boat and the plank to step off. I was becoming anxious and worried I wasn't going to be able to step off. Just then one of the attendants asked if he could carry me off the tender. I said, "OK." With that he scoops me in his arms carries me off the boat and proceeds to carry me up the flight of stairs to the ship. My nephew trailed behind carrying my walker. There didn't seem to be a dry eye in place. Even my sister, who is not a believer, had tears in her eyes. I was reminded of my prayer, "He shall lift you up with His victorious right hand". With that I became overcome with emotions myself. God always comes through. I am not a martyr and if I had my desire it would be to be healed and to be stronger. Yet, I have submitted to the Lord with my disability. 2 Corinthians 12:10, "I will gladly boast of my weakness so Christ's power can work through me. Since I know it is for Christ's sake, I will be quite content with my weakness, about the insults and hardships, persecutions and calamities (difficulties), for when I am weak I shall be made strong." I don't know what impact this had on others. But, I would gladly go through it again if it makes believers out of others and God receives all glory, honor and power.
Since I have struggled with my weakness in the last two years, I have had a lot of free time on my hand. I started memorizing Bible verse's and each day I go over my verses. I wasn't sure how this was going to produce fruit. I thought I would have the opportunity to witness to others and so I continued my memorization. I didn't realize how the words would come back to bless me. In not having a bible handy to look up verese on the tender, I resorted to my memory verse of Isaiah 41:10 and was blessed beyond measure by the power of His word. We can rest safely in His arms as He lifts us up out of difficult circumstances. Be blessed!