2 Peter 1:19 – And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (NIV)

"Holy, holy, holy" — the word softly repeated itself in my awakening mind — "Lord God Almighty". I could feel the weight of the flannel bedsheets on my body. "Early in the morning" — yes it was morning, again; I had made it safely through the night. My mind began to clear, and I could hear the birds singing and my oxygen compressor humming away softly in the next room. My mask was still on my face; it was not yet time to take it off. "Our song shall rise to Thee." No longer do I awake with the haze of alcohol, awake in fear for what happened or might have happened yesterday. Today I can awake with a clear mind and a warm heart, as the words of the liturgy welcome me to wakefulness: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, heaven and earth are full of Your glory." The words became jumbled and lost in the rush of thoughts of what I had to do that day. "Now just how did it end?" I asked myself. "God in three persons, blessed trinity." Now I was awake; my bones ached from rheumatism — time for morning medications. My "holy trinity": medications, oxygen, and exercise.

Blessed be God Who looks after those who suffer from prolonged illnesses. I feel fortunate that I can awake with a song in my heart for Him — instead of a self-pitying curse that I must live another day in distress.

Prayer: We pray for strength and courage for those who are living with a prolonged illness, and for those who look after them. Amen.

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