I have been blessed many times by the writings of Henri Nouwen.  I receive e-mails from the Society continuing to circulate his writings after his death.  I have read this one several times in recent days as God has been using my medical journey of recent weeks to expose and entice me to bring my weakness into the his peace filled presence of grace and truth.

Enjoy this short post and then below I give an update on my health.

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To help you prepare for Christmas, we will be sending you weekly meditations for Advent. 
Join us in quiet times of reflection. 

Where Peace is Hidden – Third Sunday of Advent—December 11 

Keep your eyes on the prince of peace, the one who doesn't cling to his divine power; the one who refuses to turn stones into bread, jump from great heights and rule with great power; the one who says, "Blessed are the poor, the gentle, those who mourn, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; blessed are the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness" (see Matt. 5:3-11); the one who touches the lame, the crippled, and the blind; the one who speaks words of forgiveness and encouragement; the one who dies alone, rejected and despised. Keep your eyes on him who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak, and who is rejected with the rejected. He is the source of all peace. 

Where is this peace to be found? The answer is clear. In weakness. First of all, in our own weakness, in those places of our hearts where we feel most broken, most insecure, most in agony, most afraid. Why there? Because there our familiar ways of controlling our world are being stripped away; there we are called to let go from doing much, thinking much, and relying on our self-sufficiency. Right there where we are weakest the peace which is not of this world is hidden. 

In Adam's name I say to you, "Claim that peace that remains unknown to so many and make it your own. Because with that peace in your heart you will have new eyes to see and new ears to hear and gradually recognize that same peace in places you would have least expected." 

Adam's Story: The Peace That Is Not Of This World, Henri J.M. Nouwen. ©The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. First published in Weavings, March- April 1988. Also published in Seeds of Hope, ed. Robert Durback, Doubleday Religion, a division of Random House, Inc

I am continuing with physical therapy three times a week in the gym and pool at Total Rehab Services.  It has been excellent.  On the days I do not have therapy I can do a couple of hours of exercises here at home or at Gold’s Gym.  I am now in the cycle of visiting many of the doctors who saw me during my time in ICU and getting any follow-up with them that will help my doctor direct my care from this point forward.  Pandora and I have been very encouraged by the cards and notes and hope to share plans for the next steps in my recovery after the holidays. 

I deeply value your prayers and encouragement.

Roy King
www.royking.org