Slimy Pit

Hi guys –  sorry, I know that I am overdue for an update… I was hoping that I could wait and write a better update, but here goes.  This last couple weeks has felt more like a plateau.  The virus has made it to my spinal fluid, and is causing my neck to be very weak and tired (as well as some back pain).  I continue to be able to be active for several hours in the mornings, but then I must lay down and rest my neck more and more as the day goes on. This week I was able to  go to church the last two Sundays, and get a lot of ministry done during the week, including being able to get out to church a few times, joining staff meeting on Monday morning, and visiting Abbie and Chris in the hospital.   It feels good to be back at it.  I only had one bad headache in the last couple weeks, and Katie and I actually went out on a date Thursday night thanks to the Youth with a Mission workers.  So there is a lot to be thankful for.  

But I still have weird sensations in my head & ears pretty regularly, and I still am somewhat sensitive to light and sound (although I have come a really long way and can put up with a lot now before I need to go back to my cave ).  The weirdest thing has been the twitching, which affects many parts of my body many times a day, especially when my head/eyes/ears are tired.  The vast majority are very small twitches that you wouldn't even notice, but I certainly notice them – they are creepy reminders that my brain is still not normal.  If I have to live with these symptoms the rest of my life we will definitely survive -  it could be a whole lot worse.  But of course I am praying and hoping for more healing.  The first couple verses of Psalm 40 say: 

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

I had started writing a song based on those verses several years ago, called "Come quick."   It started as simply a prayer for help/healing.   But as I was singing it this last couple months, God convicted me that he wants more from my heart than just asking to escape-- he wants my love and trust and thanks in the midst of trial.  So I finished the song as a prayer to God to help me (us) not just with healing but to have the right heart.

 The lyrics are below, and here is the link for the audio of me singing it in my bed with my ukulele: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o11uxpoudijxl76/Come%20Quick.m4a?dl=0

 Love you all, 

Casey 

I'm sitting here in this slimy pit
Trying to be patient
But I could really use a lift
So come quick

I know this is no accident
My Lord you're much too smart for that
So help me make the best of it
here in this pit


Even in the pit you deserve to be praised
For life and breath and endless good things
For unfailing love and sustaining grace
be praised

I don't mean to be whiny
But this hole just ain't real comfy
I'm praying for new scenery
So come quick

Lord you've endured far worse than this
And you emerged victorious
when the time is right you'll rescue us
out of the pit (thank you Jesus!)

If someone's walking past my pit
and hears some noise come out of it
I want it to point them to Him
to point to Him


So help me grow close to your heart
and learn to love you more and more
and become a true worshiper
as I sit (here in this pit)


Even in the pit you deserve to be praised
For life and breath and endless good things
For unfailing love and sustaining grace
be praised
for providing my daily bread,
a soft warm place to lay my head,
and love of family and friends
be praised
for your suff'ring on our behalf
for winning us life after death
for Glory to come that can't compare to this
be praised