(Excerpt from Leona’s most recent book RECOVERY and REENTRY: My New Normal coming off the press this week. SETTING: Home again to recover after major lung cancer surgery. This is the third in her series of spin-off books for our disordered “earth suits.”
Our recovery after a physical trauma or hospitalization is usually not a smooth running journey. It is often a minefield of obstacles and readjustments for which we need God’s constant help.
“Repeat offender! Who? Me?
No, my illness or “earth suit” disorder.
A long list of comforting RE-words helped me through my original cancer surgery REcovery. They continue to guide me as long as I live in this mortal body. I’m making progress through REstoration, REfreshing, REgaining, REpenting, REviving, REpairing, RElaxing—even REcreation.
I’m being REnewed by my daily REndezvous with God to build up my inner spirit.
But I REsist one word and would like to REfuse it. It is the word REpeat!
REalistically, however, many illnesses are REpeat offenders or develop some RElated problems. My surgeon frankly explained the strong possibility of REcurrence. It’s not unusual to go through the same or similar surgery or treatment again or REquire additional treatment. Perhaps more than once. REmission is often a temporary state.
Oh no! Back to square one? I’m kept on a short leash. I circle X-ray dates and doctors’ appointments at regular intervals on my calendar. I’m suspicious of symptoms that might signal the REturn of the problem. No one can guarantee full REcovery from anything. We all go around in depreciating bodies.
So, if it happens again…?
I’ll just begin the cycle again.
If God and I successfully jumped the hurdle questions at the beginning of my health disorder, I hope I’ve developed my spiritual muscles and spiritual stamina to go through it again. The same questions and struggles and the same answers apply. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
God offers us the same grace and strength to match any new or REcurring situation. For my good and for God’s glory is still the touchstone. God is as fully in control the second time around—or third or fourth—as He was when I went through it the first time.
Not all race tracks are configured the same. On one kind of track runners race straight ahead from a starting line to a finish line. No surprises, no curves. Another track is circular. The runner REturns to the place where he started. In fact, the race may not be finished the first time around. He may be REquired to run several laps around the same circle.
Still another race is the marathon course where you run for the long haul through ordinary and REpetitious landscape: towns, country roads, hills, beside rivers and along busy highways. That’s a race for endurance. The Apostle Paul’s words are not an understatement: “Run with endurance (patience) the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised” (Hebrews 10:36).
Whatever kind of health race track the Lord has chosen for me, my Divine Coach is cheering me on: “Run in such a way that you may win” (1 Corinthians 9:24). He was with me at the Starting Line, and I know He’s waiting for me at the Finish Line. He’s the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Sooner or later I’ll report to Him, “I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”
Then I’ll be qualified to go by the Judge’s bench for my prize. “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8).
I can’t lose no matter what track lies ahead in my life, if I joyfully celebrate each day of life trusting my Coach, Jesus Christ, and obediently following His instructions!
*******
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Pre-orders for RECOVERY AND REENTRY will be mailed first as soon as the cases are delivered—at the advance order DISCOUNT of $9.95 postage FREE. Email Leona: [email protected] At this discount buy more copies in advance for your friends or family (and yourself!) who are at present recovering from a hospital adventure or illness.
The Rest of The Way
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“LET FREEDOM RING!”
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NEITHER ROBOTS OR PUPPETS!
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STILL CLIMBING NEW HILLS
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THE REVEAL!
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RIP VAN WINKLE AND THE FIRST ELECTION
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A THANKSGIVING STORY
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FIXING YOUR EYES
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LIVING THROUGH THE “NOT YET”
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CARPE DIEM IN LOCKDOWN
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EXTRA FOR ELECTION WEEK
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ATTENTION: ALL FRETTERS!
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HANDS OFF!
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SEASONAL SPECTACULARS
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THE LATE GREAT ELIMINATOR
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RAINY DAY REMINDER
10/17/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
VIEW FROM THE HEAVENLIES
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BEAUTIFUL DREAMER?
10/12/2020 6:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUT IF HE DOESN'T?
10/8/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
READY OR NOT—HERE I COME!
10/6/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A TESTED HELP
10/5/2020 10:03:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ENCHANTED GROUND?
10/1/2020 11:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER
9/28/2020 6:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR PREOCCUPATION WITH “SETI”
9/24/2020 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINE THROUGH ME
9/21/2020 12:57:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“THINGS TO COME...”
9/17/2020 10:47:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RIDING THE SHOCK WAVES
9/14/2020 3:10:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SLEEP WITH OUR CLOTHES ON
9/10/2020 3:13:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW DO YOU SMELL BY NOW?
9/7/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"I AM NOT A ROBOT!”
9/3/2020 10:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PROLIFERATION OF DROPOUTS
8/31/2020 12:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MESSAGE FROM 8TH CENTURY B.C.
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BRIDGES TO SOMEWHERE
8/24/2020 11:43:00 AM by: Leona Choy
GET UP OFF THE FLOOR
8/20/2020 9:39:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"Under" the Circumstances?
8/17/2020 7:51:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH STUFF
8/13/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Pacemakers and Pacesetters
8/10/2020 7:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Bug Out Bags and More
8/6/2020 10:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIVE ME THIS DAY FRESH BREAD
8/3/2020 2:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FAMILY TREE HUGGERS
7/30/2020 11:17:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHO WERE YOU?”
7/27/2020 11:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WALKING WITH JESUS
7/23/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT DOES MY COVID JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?
7/20/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HEARING VOICES
7/16/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A TIME TO BE HELD
7/13/2020 11:23:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RUMBLE STRIPS AHEAD!
7/9/2020 10:50:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHATEVER IS LOVELY AND BRINGS PEACE...”
7/7/2020 10:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN
7/5/2020 7:25:00 PM by: Leona choy
MY OWN INDEPENDENCE DAY
7/3/2020 6:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S OUT THERE?
7/1/2020 11:51:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“FULL OF SAP AND VERY GREEN”
6/28/2020 5:25:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SPIRITUAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS
6/25/2020 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST FOR FUN
6/23/2020 1:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO'S COUNTING?
6/20/2020 3:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PRAYER IS NOT FOR SISSIES
6/18/2020 7:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY KITCHEN TIMER SPEAKS
6/16/2020 7:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SQUEAKING HINGES
6/14/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“US WOMEN ON OUR OWN”
6/12/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PREPARING AN ETERNAL “NEST”
6/10/2020 3:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENDING TO MY CATERPILLARS AND COCOONS
6/8/2020 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STILL LEAPING UPSTREAM
6/6/2020 2:58:00 PM by: Leona Choy
POKING HOLES IN THE DARKNESS
6/3/2020 11:27:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ARE WE THERE YET?
5/31/2020 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
NEW WINE-SKIN PEOPLE
5/30/2020 10:22:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
5/29/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY A CHAPTER
5/28/2020 6:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WOUNDED WARRIORS
5/26/2020 7:21:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARY OR JUST TIRED?
5/24/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARING PAJAMAS IN COMBAT?
5/22/2020 3:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RETHINKING THE PREPPER MINDSET
5/20/2020 5:44:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE INTRIGUE OF ISOLATION
5/18/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CONTEST OF THE CONDIMENTS
5/15/2020 3:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THOUGHTS FOR US “VULNERABLES”
5/13/2020 6:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO WANTS TO PLAY STATUE?
5/12/2020 10:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BALCONY CONCERTS
5/11/2020 9:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIANTS IN OUR FAMILY TREE
5/8/2020 7:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT ABOUT THOSE GRASSHOPPERS?
5/6/2020 3:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
METATHESIOPHOBIA!
5/4/2020 6:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WITHERED HANDS
5/3/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WRITE A TIME CAPSULE
5/1/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CASTING PRACTICE
4/30/2020 3:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MASKS
4/29/2020 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LAST STRAW?
4/28/2020 2:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY SURVIVOR ASSIGNMENT
4/25/2020 3:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEGUE TIME
4/24/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURE, I'LL PRAY FOR YOU
4/23/2020 8:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MEANWHILE, WE GROAN
4/22/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PARABLE OF THE DISORDERED EGG
4/20/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona choy
CHANTING THE PSALMS—A “JOYFUL NOISE”
4/19/2020 10:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR GREEN ROOM/GREENHOUSE
4/16/2020 10:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PSALMS IN COLOR
4/15/2020 5:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TV WATCH AND PRAY
4/14/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST PASSING BY?
4/9/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SAFE PLACE ON THE ROCK
4/8/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GETTING A GOOD SHAKING
4/7/2020 11:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME
4/6/2020 5:34:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANNOUNCING! PANDEMIC READ-A-THON!
4/4/2020 8:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GOD'S OBSESSION WITH FRUIT
4/3/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BLOOMING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
4/2/2020 6:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GRAY CLOUD FOLKS
4/1/2020 9:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
END OF THE STORY
3/31/2020 8:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RAVENS DELIVERY SERVICE
3/30/2020 9:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CALAMITY COMFORT
3/29/2020 9:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A DESERT FABLE
3/28/2020 11:06:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A PERSONAL MESSAGE
3/27/2020 11:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SURFING THE PANDEMIC WAVES
3/25/2020 3:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW ARE YOUR “WITS” DOING?
3/24/2020 3:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FALLEN ROCKS
3/23/2020 10:32:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HUNKERING AT EAGLE SUMMIT
3/21/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENT DWELLING
3/21/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
3/20/2020 2:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
3/19/2020 3:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SUBMARINE LIVING
3/18/2020 11:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A NEW HAPPY DANCE
3/17/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SOCIAL DISTANCING
3/13/2020 12:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE RELUCTANT PILGRIM
3/11/2020 6:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERIOUS "SELAH" WORD
3/9/2020 10:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
MY CLAP OFFERING
3/8/2020 3:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONE DOLLAR DAFFODIL
3/7/2020 1:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BOUND BY AN INVISIBLE THREAD
3/4/2020 9:43:00 PM by: Leona Choy
NOT SILENCED
2/26/2020 12:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEING OWLISH ABOUT WISDOM
2/24/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"In the beginning..." before GOOGLE
2/22/2020 11:13:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PULLED FROM THE BRINK
2/20/2020 3:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
APPLE OF HIS EYE
2/9/2020 12:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SINGING HER WAY HOME
1/31/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EATIN' SHORTBREAD
1/24/2020 9:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PLATFORM, PODIUM, PULPIT OR PEDESTAL?
1/17/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUCKET LIST AGAIN?
1/12/2020 5:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IN SEARCH OF A MAKEOVER
12/31/2019 12:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SAG
12/30/2019 1:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERY OF TIME
12/28/2019 9:21:00 AM by: Leona Choy
2020 MY RENEWED EAGLE YEAR
12/26/2019 11:02:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Post Surgery Report
12/3/2019 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURGERY ENCORE
11/23/2019 8:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
10/31/2019 2:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS SHAKING MY TREE?
10/30/2019 5:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS THE BOSS OF ME?
10/15/2019 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
LORD, MOVE MY MOUNTAIN!
10/13/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANOTHER WAITING ROOM
10/11/2019 9:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
DON'T BE SHEEPISH
10/10/2019 12:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE VALUE OF SELF-TALK
9/28/2019 3:59:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LASER PRAYER
9/27/2019 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
9/12/2019 1:39:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CARRY ME, FATHER
9/5/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY PERSONAL SPIRITUAL WORKOUT
9/4/2019 10:55:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
9/1/2019 12:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Lessons from My Cup
8/20/2019 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STRAW & THE CAMEL'S BACK
8/7/2019 12:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BECOMING MORE "FRUITY"
7/10/2019 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CREATIVE ENCOUNTERS
7/3/2019 2:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PITCHING IT RIGHT
6/30/2019 11:46:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?”
6/25/2019 3:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
34580 and COUNTING
6/18/2019 2:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MOUNTAINS AND MOLEHILLS
6/14/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
CHEERLEADING
6/6/2019 9:52:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
5/22/2019 11:38:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GRADUATION DAY
5/17/2019 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
I THINK BOOKS
5/13/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!
5/4/2019 8:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HO-HUM FAITH
4/18/2019 12:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BREATHTAKING THOUGHTS
4/7/2019 1:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE?
3/31/2019 5:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
3/4/2019 3:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
AVOIDING A SPIRITUAL "OOPS!"
3/1/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PURSUING WISDOM
2/19/2019 1:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A THORNY MATTER
2/15/2019 10:42:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A SOMEWHAT GRUMPY CHAT WITH GOD
2/12/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A FISH STORY
2/8/2019 3:40:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LET'S EAT NOODLES TOGETHER!
1/21/2019 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SATISFIED--A SECRET TO SHARE
1/11/2019 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STILL RUNNING
12/29/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RESISTANCE TO ASSISTANCE
12/6/2018 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CHALLENGE OF THE FOURTH QUARTER
11/26/2018 3:19:00 PM by: Leona Choy
KEEPING A TRADITION
11/15/2018 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PUBLISHING FUND PROGRESS
11/5/2018 8:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"GOING STEADY" WITH MY "SUGAR CANE"
11/3/2018 2:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SHOUT-OUT FOR A NEW BUTTERFLY
10/31/2018 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKSGIVING IN OCTOBER
10/7/2018 5:53:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REPEAT OFFENDERS
9/30/2018 3:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINING WHEN YOUR BATTERY IS LOW
9/21/2018 5:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
I DESERVE IT...DESERVE IT NOT....
9/13/2018 7:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
9/10/2018 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GOD'S DUE TIME
9/3/2018 7:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STONES AND COVERUPS AND HOLY EARS
8/31/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOES
8/29/2018 9:30:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY CELL TOWER
8/27/2018 3:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REJUVENATION GOD'S WAY
8/17/2018 8:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STUCK IN THE MUD?
8/13/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
8/8/2018 2:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHEN'S A GOOD TIME TO "EXULT"?
7/30/2018 3:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Survey For the Calendar-Challenged
7/25/2018 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Destiny Decisions
7/19/2018 10:25:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEDROOM SLIPPERS OR HIKING BOOTS?
7/18/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Hurrah for the Prepper Bridesmaids!
7/13/2018 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
7/10/2018 5:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BARNACLES
6/5/2018 2:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
