[UntoHim]

John & Sonia Smith

email jsssmith24@msn.c
February 6, 2009

Beloved of God, “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild restless sea; day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying Christian follow me. Follow, I will follow Thee my Lord, follow every passing day; my tomorrows are all known to Thee, Thou wilt lead me all the way.” Some dear praying saints have asked me to update my health situation since surgery now six weeks past and I am finally getting to it. Every day is unbelievably busy going from one thing to the next: Dr. appointments, usually two sessions of physical therapy daily, Physical therapist visits at least twice and usually three times weekly, eat three meals, try to get sufficient rest for the schedule, and using the walker and wheel chair every task consumes much more time than usual. There are major hurdles to go, but I sleep and do most things with very little pain now. Mobility is steadily increasing, but with my situation you have to gain back coordination and equilibrium. When the physical therapist comes on Monday I will begin putting 25% weight on my injured leg. If there is pain I will have to back off so this is a very crucial time. My anemia from the surgery is being corrected with my hemoglobin and hematocrit getting into the normal range so energy has increased. All in all both the Dr. and the therapist are pleased with the progress at this point.

All matters are in the hands of our Sovereign Lord and faithful Father Who knows our tomorrows and in His wisdom brings us on to maturity and fulfills His purpose with us. I read this verse in the past few days:
And shall I pray, Oh change Thy will, my Father,
Until it be according unto mine?
Ah no, Lord no, than never could be, rather
I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.

Following the accident we came in through the emergency room not knowledgeable of any orthopedic physicians and the Lord gave us a top surgeon (40’s) who has humility and a heart for his patients.

Physical therapy is of extreme importance to hip fracture recovery and once again the Lord gave us a skilled therapist who works part time and is also a lovely seeking Christian with a rare hunger for the Word. Her husband whom we will meet soon is also a Christian. They have two young children. During her second or third visit we began to fellowship and I shared with her answering her questions and speaking basic truths for well over an hour and her tears fell on hearing the Word. She then told me that she knew in her spirit that something was coming out and did not schedule a patient following me. Yesterday she came in, sat down, and said, “I have a question and it can’t wait.” About an hour and a half fellowship followed. Upon leaving she said, “I am sorry you had to have the accident so we could meet.” Please pray for what the Lord has in this. I am sure the enemy would like to interfere.

My next cataract surgery is scheduled for March 2 so I estimate it will be about two months before my eye problems and also Sonia’s are corrected. Meanwhile the blurred vision slows me down and takes extra energy in using the computer and reading. Sonia had cataract surgery, but a scar on her eye from the recluse spider bite several years ago still has to be dealt with.

It is humbling and a secure rest to know that such a large number of saints pray for us. We are grateful to our Lord and to you through whom He works. Your many expressions of family love in the bonds of Christ are precious. It is a testimony to the household of God, the Body of Christ, the assembly of the saints. Consider how many verses are full of light on this matter: 1 Cor. 12; Romans 12; Romans 16, to name a few. Take some time in Romans 16 and consider the spiritual family ties, the honoring of one another, the sacrificial love, the joy in one another, the serving of one another, the blessing one another, and the humility displayed. Tears have fallen when I would consider verse 13. Consider the persons involved in that wonderful relationship. I certainly can testify that I have and am experiencing that verse. Oh! We have brothers, sisters, children, mothers and fathers with love shed abroad in our hearts that by the Spirit transcends time and space bringing their presence to be felt. And may we be so near to the many prisoners that we feel their chain (Heb. 13:3).

Remember India in the last letter we wrote. May God supply so that the Word of God may run and be glorified in the hungry hearts that are crying out for it (2 Thess. 3:1).

Maranatha
John & Sonia