(sorry this is so long)
BALM IN GILEAD?
The lyrics of this old, old hymn have been a point of discussion for us in recent days. We even sought research assistance from dear Beverly Gambrell the other night at a dinner party. She is so cool, and I trust her so much. As a result of our discussion Bonita wrote the following:
Is there nothing they can do for Steve? No operation, no treatment, no injections that will take away his pain from the six back surgeries? (The brain cancer pales in comparison to the daily problems with the back pain.) This is the question we were asking this week. So many past treatments, so many past tests, so many unanswered questions as to how the pain could possibly be treated. Steve had just finished back injections with no relief whatever. The answer today was no. No treatment for the back pain. The only answer was meds and PT.
At that moment, Steve looked down at his hand, at the thumb area that for months has caused him much discomfort. He changed the subject and asked the question “Is there no cream, ointment, something to soothe this small area that causes me so much discomfort?” (Does anyone out there think it might be from cell phone use? LOL). With all the enormous problems going on in his body, he is most concerned about this small area on his hand and mentions it to every physician we see. Some cream/ointment was suggested, but the question stayed on our minds for the day … is there nothing to soothe this discomfort? Some balm of sorts?
On the way home, that question led us to talk about the “Balm in Gilead.” That phrase taken from Jeremiah and written into an old African-American spiritual mentions that the balm is soothing for the soul. The word “balm” is a word derived from the Hebrew words baal shemen, meaning “lord” or “chief of oils.”
There has been much discomfort on this journey. Suffering is a large part of our day. We can look here and there for physical comfort. See every doctor, PA, and nurse we can find to help with the back pain, but here we are staring at where we started … meds and PT.
There is no balm to cure Steve’s sick body, but there is a balm to soothe our sick soul, for which are so very grateful. That balm is the Lord Jesus Christ that came to the world to soothe us through HIS love, HIS hope, and HIS joy. That is where our faith is and that is what soothes us every day.
Okay Facebook Family Singers it’s time for us to sing …
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
If you can pray like Peter
If you can preach like Paul
Go home and tell your loved ones
He died to save us all
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
If you can pray like Peter
If you can preach like Paul
Go home and tell your loved ones
That he died to save us all
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
May the Balm of Gilead be your comfort today!
You are loved!
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