Tuesday 19 October 2021

At The Heart Of It

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was going to an online Art workshop   along with a load of other Ministerial Spouses. This was run by my mate Chris Duffett, Baptist minister, artist and more [ check him out here ] As instructed I had a canvas and some acrylic paints and brushes at the ready. I've never used these before, in fact I haven't really done 'art' since O level in 1971 ...

First Chris asked us to read some selected verses from Psalm 18.

I love you, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and I have been saved from my enemies.
The cords of death entangled me;
    the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me…
 In my distress I called to the Lord;
    I cried to my God for help….
From his temple he heard my voice;
    my cry came before him, into his ears.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me… He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Then we had to select a verse which really spoke to us and sketch something [an image, not words] about. I was drawn to v19, where it talks about being rescued into a spacious place. I envisioned a dark and stormy night at sea - but at the heart of it, God's love and peace. We only had 45 minutes, and this is what I painted

When we had all finished, we were each asked to show our picture and give any explanations. I said that in recent weeks, there had been some difficult issues but even in the darkest moments, I knew God was there for me.

Then Chris said that we were not to keep our pictures, but ask God to show us who we should give them to. 

I decided to pass mine on to Bob. Recently he has had chest pains, and the GP acted really quickly [Bob has an ectopic heartbeat, and 2 years ago had a TIA] She sent him straight off to the cardiac unit in Norwich for further tests. They were so efficient and kind, and tomorrow at 7.15am he will go into hospital for an angiogram, and if necessary, an angioplasty procedure, and stents fitted immediately,  depending on what the angiogram reveals . He has been told to expect everything to take between 3 and 4 hours.

This is run-of-the-mill, everyday stuff for the medical team. But it is not so for us. It is a huge, unknown experience. To be honest, it is quite scary, when I think about what is involved. 

The picture is on the table in our study, so we both see it when we come in here to work on our computers. 

It is a reminder that nothing can separate us from God's love. And that is what is keeping us going right now ...





42 comments:

  1. Praying for you both.
    I'm in total admiration of your picture. And I love the idea of giving the picture away.

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  2. Bonjour Angela,
    Vous et votre mari avez du courage et la foi en Dieu. La médecine va aussi vous venir en aide.
    Je peux témoigner tous les jours du fait que nous avons de la chance d'avoir pu bénéficier des progrès de la science .
    Je remercie tous les jours Dieu d'avoir permis à mon mari, bien jeune quand cela s'est produit , d'avoir eu une opération à cœur ouvert à 44 ans. 12 ans après, une récidive s'est produite . Elle a été traitée par la pose de stents.
    Nous avons depuis une vie normale et bien ordinaire, comme nous le souhaitons.
    Je pense à vous et à Bob.
    Véro

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    1. Merci, Vero - it is so good to read of your husband's successful treatment. Thank you for sharing this encouragement. God bless you both ❤️

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  3. Hi Ang, I know it's a scary time - my husband had angina 3 years ago and had to go for exactly the same procedure. He was diagnosed with heart failure, and had 3 stents fitted - 2 immediately at the angiogram procedure, a further slightly more complicated one a few weeks later. Both times he was out of hospital, with no problems at all, after a few hours. The stents fixed his blocked artery/pain problems, he's had no further chest pain. He was actually discharged by his cardiologist a year ago and told to go off and lead a normal life. He's now fine, he does get a bit breathless and very tired if he over-exerts himself, but then he is nearly 71! I'm sure Bob will be fine, if he needs stents they will transform his life. The painting must bring both of you a lot of comfort. Thinking of you both xx

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    1. Thank you so much Sooze. I'm so pleased to read about your husband's progress.

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  4. How good to have such quick response but what a shock for you both.
    Sending lots of positive ((vibes))for you. (Colin was really well after his stents - solves the problem completely)

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  5. Firstly, your painting is wonderful! I love the vision you had for how you interpreted the verse and you carried it out beautifully. Will pray for you and Bob. Understandably, it is a big scary unknown for you but I pray God will calm you both. My father-in-law had stents fitted after he had a heart attack and they did a really good job so it is something they do do a lot of. But still nervewracking for you xx

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    1. The NHS are wonderful! Thank you Kezzie

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  6. Praying for you both as you go through this. Very much love.

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  7. You are in my prayers and thoughts as this is all taking place xx

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  8. You are both in my thoughts. Bob is in good hands.

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    1. Our GP and the hospital have been excellent thus far

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  9. Praying for you both Angela. Having been through recent heart surgery I can feel your anxieties, and will be thinking of you so much.

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    1. Thank you so much. Fond memories of our visit to Cornwall this time last year It was SO special to be with you and M and pray together. And wonderful to know that you are making good recovery from your surgery too.

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  10. I shall be keeping both Bob and you in my thoughts as you go through this trying time.
    I know it won't help how you feel, but the procedure really is a very routine thing for the surgical team, they're experts.
    Love, Col X

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    1. It's good to remind ourselves that they are experts!

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  11. Really,really,really wishing the best outcome for you both. xxx

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    1. Thanks A. We've never met but it feels like we've been "blogfriends" forever!

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  12. My brother-in-law had three stents about nine months ago. He has been absolutely fine. Will be thinking of you and Bob.

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  13. My father had stents after mild heart attack 12 years ago. He was 80, and is now still active (and driving!!!!) at 92. I've had a similar procedure, not involving stents but for reading blood pressures inside the heart, 6 times between 2006 and 2013. I'll swear Jesus was there keeping watch over his flock all the time.

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    1. Thanks Kristen. I know you have not always enjoyed the best of health - but I admire the positive attitude and deep faith which I have seen in your blogposts 🙏

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  14. I will be thinking of you both, what a scary time, but so many have commented above how good the outcome usually is, so with that and the doctors that are working wonders these days there shouldn't be too much to worry about ... but we do anyway don't we.

    Take care and in times of worry look to your painting, there is always an oasis of calm in the midst of a storm if we take a moment to find it. xx

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    1. Thank you - I hope they sort out your back issues soon

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  15. Praying for you both. Sometimes almost as bad for the person in the waiting room I think.

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    1. At since covid, we aren't even allowed as far as the waiting room!

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  16. I feel for you both at what is a very stressful and trying time. Nick had an angiogram and angioplasty three days before Christmas in 2016, at the closing of what was most definitely our "annus horibilis". Since then he has been fitter than he was for years before.
    The thought of the procedure is pretty scary but it's comforting to know that it's pretty routine and well established as a treatment.
    Bon courage! I will be thinking of you both - I know myself that it's not just the patient who has to deal with it but their family as well.

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  17. Love your painting and this is certainly the right time for Bob to receive it!
    Keeping you both in my prayers for your peace of mind, calmness inside, and trust in God and in your medical team.

    Hugs!

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    1. All prayer, love and virtual hugs gratefully received!

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  18. You are so right that these procedures are routine these days but not for the humble patients and families. There are two types of cardio specialists - "plumbers", who fit stents and such, and "electricians", who fix the electrical pathways in the heart by running catheters through the groin up into the heart and mapping the pathways. I had two of these ablations a few years ago and the second took perfectly - no more palpitations. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" and our medical people know this and work accordingly. I'm praying for a successful outcome for Bob, and peace of mind for you and the family. Your painting is wonderful, it says it all about God's presence and help in the midst of the storms of life!

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    1. Thank you Bushlady - so good to hear positive reports from those who have had experience of all this!

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  19. Your painting is beautiful! I am sure that Bob's procedure will go smoothly and he will be fine, afterwards. For what it's worth, I had an angiogram performed several years ago and I survived! :) May you both be blessed with good health for many more years to come.

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  20. Hoping for a great outcome - the doctors really know what they are doing with this sort of thing. Kia Kaha.

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    1. Thank you Carole [I looked up Kia Kaha - it means "stay strong" - I will do my best]

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  21. I will be thinking of you both and winging good thoughts your way - waiting for happy news. I appreciate all you have shared with me.

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