JOURNAL - Sunday 19th October.

As you can tell - I have missed quite a few days with my journaling. I went for a lovely walk on Monday and couldn't wait to get on the computer - but then I looked at the clock. It looks like I'll have to get up 1/2 an hour earlier.

Anyway, what happened on Monday. I had a good chat with the Lord about `healing'. and my faith. It's not that I don't believe - I can't not believe with all the wondrous things that have happened over the years - I just don't seem to have that confidence to say `I believe' in front of a crowd of people.

With little Hannah, our minister's daughter being so sick, it has reminded me of all the time God has healed Aaron - without me even asking. Aaron was born 3 months premature, and there were a number of times over the early years that we nearly lost him. One of those times was when he had pneumonia. The doctors didn't diagnose it at first - it wasn't until we'd taken him to the hospital, and he was admitted that they found it.

He was 6 years old, and by this stage I hated hospitals - and I didn't care too much for doctors and nurses. It was also at this time, that God reminded me of `childlike faith'. I believe this is too, what he is reminding me of again. He's never let me down before, so why should I not have confidence in his healing power, enough to show others.

This is just a little poem I wrote when Aaron was in hospital those many years ago:

"Ah, excuse me nurse, my name is Mike.
I'm just new here, but there's something I would like.
My mummy won't be long, she's gone to get my rug.
Ah, please, would you.............. ah, could I have a hug?

I'm just a little scared and a little sad,
I was wondering please, would you hold my hand?
I know I'm getting big; I've been brave the doctor said,
But would you mind, for a minute, just sitting on my bed.

Mum says that Jesus will make me better quick,
And I know that is really true, `Cause I told him I was sick.
Well, I guess you better go, you've got other kids to see,
And here comes Mum and Dad, ah, thank you Nurse for loving me."

...............................................................................

I gird myself today with the POWER OF GOD.
GOD'S STRENGTH to comfort me.
GOD'S MIGHT to uphold me.
GOD'S WISDOM to guide me.
GOD'S EYE to look before me.
GOD'S EAR to hear me.
GOD'S WORD to speak for me.
GOD'S HAND to lead me.
GOD'S WAY to lie before me.
GOD'S SHIELD to protect me.

-St Patrick's Breastplate.