God's Presence

Recently we were thinking back to the beginning of our journey through cancer, back to the early post-surgery phase when my challenges were at their peak. There was pretty significant pain at that time, accompanied by discouraging news regarding my situation, so attempting to focus on God's plan for me didn't always result in clarity of thought or perception. But as I think back I am struck again, for the millionth time, by the reality that the intensity with which I feel His presence has nothing to do with His actual presence. God is fully with me 100% of every moment that I exist. It is I who moves closer to or farther away from Him.
I would be dishonest if I said that discouragement never sets in, but it's at those times that I most clearly see the need to have a serious discussion with God regarding what I know to be true about Him.
"Believer! What a glorious assurance! This way of thine-this, it may be, a crooked, mysterious, tangled way- this way of trial and tears. 'He knoweth it.' The furnace seven times heated- He lighted it......
The furnace is hot; but not only can we trust the hand that kindles it, but we have the assurance that the fires are lighted not to consume, but to refine; and that when the refining process is completed (no sooner-no later) He brings His people forth as gold."-Macduff ( Streams in the Desert).
What encouraging words from Macduff, whoever he was. He gave me just what I needed for today.

"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me I shall come out as gold."-Job 23:10 (ESV).

On the health front:
Captivity at home is resulting in many cupboards getting cleaned and closets reorganized, and that's not a bad thing!
Tomorrow's lab work results will determine what the week will bring, but as of this moment I have no complaints😊