=
At the end of October 2018 a=
t age 70, I suffered a right-brain stroke. After a few days in ICU in the h=
ospital, I was allowed to return home but not to preaching. I had very few =
“deficits” and the specialist said I was in the 3% who was thus=
fortunate, but that I should be aware that my health was changed, and I sh=
ould expect various problems to surface in the next few years. I thou=
ght I had been spared, so soon returned to the pulpit and work as CFO of my=
wife’s clinic.
My strength and stamina began a downward spira=
l and even with reduced workload (Covid impacting services and wife retirin=
g and closing her clinic) it was evident I needed to intentionally slow dow=
n. I retired in 2021and we moved to a large retirement community where we e=
njoy independent living. I AM blessed.
I=
reread my first blog post after my stroke, from seven years ago this week =
(November 4th, 2018).
“This is a challenging Sun=
day morning. My body is weak and frail and I am at home in bed with the com=
puter on my lap. I am praying for my Church and its sweet family gathered w=
ho are, in turn, praying for me and my recovery.
=
I have been a pastor (full time) since 1970 and belo=
ng in the pulpit. But right now, because of this health challenge, life is =
changed. I am so thankful that I have a sovereign God in Whom I have 100% c=
onfidence.
Last Sunday I p=
reached what Charles Spurgeon wrote when a pastor-friend of his suffered an=
illness as a sermon illustration:
*Good men may be in ill health by God&=
#8217;s will
*Good men may be sidelined when se=
em most needed
*Good men would have the Lord=
217;s work go on whatever becomes of them
I had no inkling that less than =
24 hours later I would have a stroke and be one of those men.
God has a plan for His servant. He’s mo=
re interested in the "man" than in the "ministry", and =
has a plan for His church. Right now, it is a time of recovery for me and t=
aking it a little slower for sure. Praying now for my people that they woul=
d be encouraged and strengthened.
For years I have preached about aging and death, and always conclu=
des with a smile that, "Someday I will GET to die". It was not to=
be last Monday morning.
=
=
=
Today, "I GET to live".
Romans 14:8 "For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we d=
ie, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are =
the Lord’s."
I am thankful for =
God’s kindness in graciously providing in retirement and a measure of=
health and strength for the day. I appreciate a good doctor trying various=
meds to help my mind and body as my health is challenged. I trust a God Wh=
o knows things that are too many for my to count – the number of hairs on m=
y head, stars in the heavens, sand on the shore, and the number of times He=
has forgiven me.
Until God calls me hom=
e, I continue to love and serve Him without reservation.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
Continue steadfastly in prayer,
bei=
ng watchful in it with thanksgiving.