Redefining Agony

My body longs for relief and my soul for rest but my prayers to Christ brought me to a new place of understanding. The following poem is an outflow of my heart during the depths of pain. I pray it will bless you and bring you hope for the situations you are facing that seem "larger than life." I posted a picture from our trip from the Garden of Gethsemane in the Photo Gallery. The trees look like they have

"grieved" for many years to me. Take a moment to take it in. God's blessings on you, my dear friends.

Gethsemane

We wake with dread to face the day

Fearful of what life will cast our way

Day after day our woes appear to increase

We beg, "Just one less problem please."

Our bodies say, "Too much, this heavy burden on me."

How quickly we forget the dilemma at Gethsemane.

We consume our time asking "why" and to whine

To plead how unfair is this life of mine

We dream of living in carefree days

Seeking a higher plan is not of our ways

When we pray, "Take this cup from me"

We have missed the meaning of Gethsemane.

We must decide to seek God's plan

Trust in His wisdom and grasp

His hand

Instead of frustration, search for divine insight.

Pursue a learning that comes not from our might

To plead "Thy will be done" while on bended knee

Is to understand what happened at Gethsemane.

-- Lee Brooks

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Messages

Krista Maggard

October 26, 2009, 11:22 PM

Beautiful, thank you Lee for sharing Love ya girl, Krista

Teresa Smith

October 26, 2009, 11:29 PM

Dear Lee: I'm praying for you to receive comfort and relief that only God can provide. Your poem is beautiful and poignant. Just know that we love you and continue to hold you and Steve up in prayer. Love, Teresa & Earl

carol sparks

October 26, 2009, 11:40 PM

Lee, I feel the pain in your poem and the beauty of what the submission to it brings. May God continue to use you for His glory, In Him, Carol Sparks

Melinda Nelson

October 26, 2009, 11:46 PM

Lee, I have thought about you so much this week. I had been sicker than I have been in a while and it was not pleasant. The whole time I kept thinking "this is but a tiny drop in a bucket compared to what Lee is going through." Because of you I am learning to "Praise Him through the storms". Your faith truly amazes me! I lift you up daily...something I find that God is leading my thoughts to you hourly. I can't imagine what you are enduring but I'm praying "believing" that God is going to get you through this somehow/someway and it will bring glory to Him. Thank you for sharing this incredible poem and the pictures!! (Add them to your book when God brings you through this part of your journey.)

**Melinda Nelson** Sandy Cooper October 27, 2009, 12:41 AM I'm sure god has heard your's and our prayers. Love Uncle Sandy & Jay

Bruce Ensign

October 27, 2009, 1:14 AM

Lee, You're an inspiration beyond what I can explain. Thanks for being the beautiful you God made you. Even with the pain, yucky illness, you're an awsome joy, and an especially special sister in Christ. Susan Ensign

Missy McLain Thomas

October 27, 2009, 3:16 AM

Lee and Steve, It is so obvious that you both know the source of true joy and you are being used to glorify our Heavenly Father. Thank you for allowing God to use you and to share this with us! We love you and we continue to lift you both all the way to Heaven in prayer! Scott and Missy (McLain) Thomas

Michelle Grande

October 27, 2009, 3:26 AM

Gethsemane, a place where Jesus cried out to the Father. A place where he went often to speak to the Father. A place of prayer and yet it is this same place where Jesus was arrested. A place of peace and quiet and yet a sword was wielded here. A place of eternal events, where good and evil

meet face to face. Jesus' actions speak clearly; prayer, quiet reflection, healing, love, truth, prophesy and humble sacrifice. If you are in Gethsemane then you are in a good place, a place that Jesus was regularly.

May God provide you the peace, love, healing, and truth that He provided during the time He was on earth. God Bless You! and Steve!

Debby Swecker

October 27, 2009, 4:55 AM

Hi Lee, I just can't imagine what you are going through now. I'm so glad you have some appointments scheduled in Seattle to try to get some answers. What is all this pain from? Oh how i wish I could just make it all go away for you. There must be something we can do to help. What can we help Steve with? Shopping, transportation, cleaning, food? It is all too much for both of you. Dear Jesus, I ask for your comfort and care for Lee and Steve. I ask that healing would be appropriated to Lee because of the blood that Jesus shed for her on the cross. Holy Spirit, please hover over her and give her new life - healthy pain free life. I ask this in jesus' name. Amen

Linda Surber

October 27, 2009, 11:50 AM

Dear Lee, God has gifted you with a writing talent that only one who has suffered greatly could have. And the result is that you bless me so by sharing your pain and your trust and teaching me how to submit completely to our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for being an instrument in the hands of God! Linda Surber

Link Hudson

October 27, 2009, 12:06 PM

Lee, thank you for the beautiful poem and your inspirational spirit. Words are not adequate to express what your story has meant to me. I so appreciate and admire your steadfastness in seeking God's will for your life particularly when things aren't easy. God Bless you and Steve. What a testimony.

Linda Hamilton

October 27, 2009, 3:46 PM

I'm praising God for the wisdom and insight He has given you in the midst of your pain...you have then blessed us with your wisdom in this poem. Thank you so much. It is truly an honor to be a part of your prayer team, and to witness God do His great work thru you. Your sense of humor

and faith continue to bless us...Thanks to Him for allowing Tom and I to meet you both in Greece/Israel!! ;o)

Nola von Neudegg

October 27, 2009, 4:00 PM

Dear Lee, I woke up at 2:45 a.m. thinking about you - thinking that through your

pain, somehow you continue to be such a blessing and inspiration to others. You need to write a book. And a note to Steve: I have the deepest respect for you - as a husband and as a leader. You set such an outstanding and Godly example for all our members at Fire District Three - I am proud to say "I work with Steve Brooks". Nola

Ron Mouser

October 27, 2009, 5:28 PM

Lee, Please know that I continue to remember you in my thoughts and prayers. I know the journey has been a difficult one but your faith continues to be an example to all of us. May you experience the presence of Christ in a significant way this day. Ron Mouser

Dolores Burtnett

October 27, 2009, 11:49 PM

Such strength you have! I pray for you and Steve everyday. As tears run down my face my heart aches for you. I love you.

D Ward

October 28, 2009, 2:39 AM

Lee, What beautiful eloquence and deep understanding you have of Our Lord and His love. We are continuing to pray for you and your wonderful family. We love your Biker

Babe Grandmama and all of you very much! Deborah

Tiffany Rose

October 28, 2009, 3:11 PM

Lee, What a beautiful poem...You are such an inspiration to all who know you. You are an amazing woman. I continue to pray for healing, and relief from the pain, and I also pray for continued strength and courage for you and Steve as you continue on this journey. God doesn't waste a hurt. Yes, He knows our pain and suffering all too well... Much love to you both, Sandy (Tiff's mom) cp:tiffanydrose

Bill Kelly

October 28, 2009, 9:49 PM

Lee, Your poem moves me to tears. I continue to pray for you daily, some days many times. I can be in Olympia in

1 1/2 hours if you ever need me to be. Hope to see on Sunday, but will understand if it can't be. jane kelly

Mary Faust

October 29, 2009, 11:01 PM

Awesome poem Lee! I have been praying for you! I want to share some poems that have encouraged me although nothing I wrote they are all taken from my Streams in the Desert devotional. Do you read that? If so I needn't share but here is one (I will share the others different days to savor them)

"Oh, give thy servant patience to be still, And bear Thy will;

Courage to venture wholly on the arm That will not harm;

The wisdom that will never let me stray Out of my way;

The love that, now afflicting, knoweth best When I should rest."

carol o'farrell

November 2, 2009, 1:28 AM

Lee, you have been very much in my prayers this week, and of course will continue to be. I pray for relief for you and for God to continue to give you the strength for this terribly difficult journey you are on. God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you, Lee!!

Gerry O'Farrell

Bill Kelly

November 2, 2009, 1:42 PM

Dear Lee & Steve, We will be thinking and praying for you both today. Asking God to bless you with the best possible care. For excellent and compassionate physicians and for God's hand to be on you. We pray for your healing Lee and for test results that will bring answers. With Love, Bill & Jane

Ellen Bunch

November 30, 2009, 5:13 PM

Hey Ms Lee Bob. Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and praying for you and Steve. Love you guys.