Freely Speaking with Angela

“But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:2-3 NIV).

This scripture is a life verse for me and a “spiritual pacemaker” that reminds me of the source of my strength. When I begin to allow the busyness of life to cause me to try to accomplish things in my strength, this verse reminds me that what I do must be rooted in my love for the LORD.  

This is a truth I had forgotten.

I was 36, happy, healthy, and overwhelmingly busy. Wife, mother of three, children’s pastor, and full-time legal assistant, I was trying to be everything to everyone.

Unfortunately, my prayer time had dwindled to a few minutes on my way to work. I began relying on my strength to get things done and less on GOD. In my busyness, I no longer took time to delight in reading GOD’s Word.

My busyness came to a screeching halt when I became ill. Continuously nauseous, I lost 35 pounds within a few months. I became so weak I could no longer work at my job, lift my three-year-old, or even fold a load of laundry.

I did, however, have all kinds of time now to pray and read my Bible. I came to know the LORD deeper than I had ever known Him.
 
A barrage of tests, gallbladder surgery, a week in the hospital, and many prayers revealed that a virus had damaged my heart. My heart was enlarged, and I was in congestive heart failure. I would need a pacemaker/defibrillator to help my heart function.  

The pacemaker is connected (planted) in my heart and keeps it beating in perfect rhythm so I can live.

 I’m thankful for GOD’s reminder that I must be connected (planted) in Him (the Living Water) so I can live for Him.