Tim Eimer: I give thanks to God every time I think of you

Dear friends,

Last Thursday, my eight-year-old son bested me in a pull-up competition 7-5. As I marveled at the achievements of Olympic athletes’ last week, I grew weaker, and my weakness shoved me into the pit of self-pity. With weariness, I peered back at my medical and spiritual struggles this past year, and Satan roared in my ears and raised his lethal claw to slash away my memories of God’s special grace in my life (1 Peter 5:8).

I get the most vivid images while lying on that table with the mask over my face. Last week, while praying during a treatment, I saw great white wings covering the roof of my home. Fiery arrows rained down on the wings, but they hissed harmlessly into ashes, and my family remained safely sheltered from attacks of the evil one. In my dis-couragement, God gave me this picture of His grace of which all of you are a major part.

I have shared decades of friendship with some of you while many of you I have yet to meet, but God’s sacrificial love has been demonstrated in all its fullness through you (1 John 4:12). You have shared my family’s troubles and burdens (Galatians 6:2), and like a sweet perfume, the fragrance of your kindness and goodness permeates our home (Ephesians 5:2). You have displayed your love for my family and me by sending cards, books, and music (1 John 3:18).

Thank you for the dozens of birthday wishes. Thank you for an inbox bursting with encouraging words. Thank you for thousands of prayers launched to the throne of grace on our behalf. Each prayer is an additional feather in those protective wings extinguishing Satan’s arrows of despair (Psalm 63:7).

I am fighting some fatigue from the radiation and dullness of thought from the medicine, but I am pain free, something my doctor assured me would not happen when I told him I never even popped a Tylenol after both surgeries on my throat last year. Right now, I take the minimum dosage of nerve medication, require no narcotics, and continue to workout and drive myself to the hospital. My doctor advises a three week recuperation period, but I am confident I will start the first day of school ten days after my treatments end. I tell all my doctors and nurses of the multitude of prayers raised on my behalf when they marvel at my absence of pain during each medical trial, but most shrug it off. I’ll keep telling them.

Like Paul, I give thanks to God every time I think of you, and I think of you and pray for you often (Philippians 1: 3-4). You pour comfort and joy into my spirit, and I pray for God’s sweet fruit of salvation in your life (Philippians 1: 11). Thank you for shining so brightly in my life (Philippians 2: 15). I am awe struck at the powerful bonds of love and hope in Christ tying us together across the virtual distances of cyberspace, and I am humbled by your countless acts of love and mercy.


Thank you.


God bless,


Tim
Tim Eimer 54
Brookside Court
Horsham, PA 19044