That night, as family worship was about to begin, my son found the sheet music of "My Dearest Friend" from my piano bench. As soon as he played the guitar, I couldn't help but start singing, even though my throat was tight and it was hard to breathe. After singing that song, I suggested singing some familiar English songs because I like the whole family to participate.
A week later, my son came ready with slides and started our worship again with "My Dearest Friend". Each slide had one stanza, which included four lines of lyrics in Chinese characters, and corresponding lyrics in pinyin, in English, and Do Re Mi tunes. This way, everyone was able to sing, hum, or whistle. I was very grateful hearing the children singing my heartfelt words according to the pinyin:
Lord, you are the friend who knows me the most
Lord, you are my precious and closest friend
My heart is thinking of you every day
Hoping to meet face to face
In my living and every step I take
In this life, every stop along the way
Your hand is always- guiding- me
Keeping me right by your side
Tell me the way I should go
so I won't slip and fall towards death
Your- love is- long, wide, deep and high
My heart is amazed
With the Lord what do I need?
My heart is his / my heart is aligned
I have vowed to- follow the- Lord-
and [to] ne-ver- change
I seemed to be in pretty good health in previous years. Unexpectedly, I suffered severe back pain in May last year, which caught me off guard. Later, it was discovered that there were several spinal compression fractures, but they were not suitable for surgery. Suddenly I couldn't take care of myself, and it was hard to explain the pain and figure out what was going on inside me.
At that time, all I could do was to pray without ceasing. I thought about how the Lord Jesus had saved me, led me, and accompanied me in the past. He spoke to me with different scriptures every day. For example:
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14)
"Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice." (Psalm 51:8)
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)
I started wearing a special back spinal brace at the end of August last year and started monthly injections to treat osteoporosis in December, plus a nutrition plan and physical therapy to repair and build new bones and strengthen muscles. In May of this year, I thought I was much better when I no longer needed to wear the brace all day long. Unexpectedly, things went downhill again in June, and everything had to start over. To this day, I still need to wear a back brace all day and can only do very simple rehabilitation exercises, but thank God I am still alive.
Counting blessings and giving thanks can free our minds from worries. Try one or two of the following questions to cultivate a grateful heart.
1. What is the biggest gift (tangible or intangible) you have received this year?
2. What two things have changed your life this year?
3. What three things have helped your faith grow this year?
4. What are four blessings in your family that you would like to thank God for?
5. What are the five happy experiences you have had?
6. Even though we take them for granted, what six things in God’s creation are necessary for our existence?
7. Which seven people in your home or outside are you most grateful for?
In good times, we may take things for granted. During hard times, we complain about our misfortune. But how often do you and I encourage each other, help each other, and count God’s grace with thanksgiving?
Dear Lord Jesus, my most intimate friend, thank you for being with me and allowing me to deeply appreciate the love and faithfulness of God our Father. Please help me spend every day with joy and give thanks in everything:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)