“Can I ask you just what an infusion is?” I have had several friends ask me that question lately. As I have tried to answer that question, my heart suddenly realized it was another of those questions that is actually being asked of me by the Lord.
What does it mean to be infused?
The Oxford Online Dictionary has this definition for infusion:
infusion — Medicine
The slow injection of a substance into a vein or tissue.‘a four-hour intravenous infusion’ (from the Oxford Dictionaries, online)
By the time this post is published, I will probably be on my way to receive the first of several infusions. The Osteoporosis medication has been approved for infusion today. The timing has been in God’s hands, as experience has shown me (this is a repeat dosage from two years ago,) that I will be dealing with the after-effects of nausea and flu-like symptoms for about a week, and hoping to recover before the new RA infusions might be approved later this month.
Of course “infusion” comes from the words “to infuse,” which has a deeper meaning here:
- Fill; pervade.
‘her work is infused with an anger born of pain and oppression’
- 1.1 Instil (a quality) in someone or something.
‘he did his best to infuse good humour into his voice’ (from the Oxford Dictionaries online)
While I was getting a call from the Hospital approving that infusion, a dear friend was typing a prayer over me. She asked for the Lord “to infuse Bettie with the light of Your love.” How could she have known the conversation that was transpiring right then?
His mysteries surround us every day, every moment. Just as His light is shining His love on us:
the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:8
While the snow and icy cold seemed to cover most of the Country’s midsection this week, it felt that we were locked into a deep freeze that might never end. But the sun always breaks through, and the light begins to thaw the hardest ice with a soft melting.
Is there a parallel between the physical infusing of medications and the heart infusing of my Lord’s life and character into my very being?
Are there places of ice and stone in my heart where He would long to infuse me with His soft-hearted compassions . . . places where He would turn me inside out, and fill me up?
My Soul Was Tipped And Spilled
When I was a child
I used to wonder . . .
If I could be turned
inside out
What would my soul
look like?
For all the years I wore
the mask,
Was it to keep my soul
from tipping out?
Because underneath the aching
of a hurting heart
Lay a trusting child
in love with God.
So when my soul was
tipped and spilled,
What did God see
bubbling thru?
A
gift
of
LOVE
created
by
HIM.
Surrender to spill
Songs for singing
A Savior’s Call . . .
–bg
I offer this paraphrased version from the Message translation as my prayer this week. I come before you my friends, acknowledging that I have still despised this place of being in so much need. I have felt ashamed of carrying this disease in this body that won’t tolerate medications. And yet, as I bow before my Lord, asking His forgiveness, I hear Him singing His song of Love, infusing my neediness with HIS own pure light.
May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (Message Translation)
May we allow our Lord to soak and pour Himself into us, because “His love and compassion give us so much life.” (words shared from another Dear Loved One this week.)
Linking with:
BettieGsRAseasons 
Amen, so beautiful! God bless you Bettie!
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Thank you Dear Brother! God’s blessings be upon you also!
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Bettie, lovely poetry (as always). Hoping your infusion went well. Absolutely love the scripture in The MEssage, “may you be infused…” how awesome is that?
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Dear Mandy,
I never cease to be amazed at the ways that God has just the right word waiting for us to receive! Thank you for your prayers. The infusion did go well, and very peacefully! And Jesus is carrying me through all of the after effects. He is so good to us. Blessings to you Dear Sister!
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Dear Bettie, I absolutely LOVE the poetry that has split forth from your heart’s outpouring! The way you structured it was perfect. And The Message version of 1 Thessalonians 3: 11 -13 is such a beautiful prayer. But I ache inside for the pain, weariness and weakness you are suffering. May you receive an infusion of mercy and grace, an infusion of hope and an infusion of holy love alongside the medication you are receiving. May it fill you to the brim and overflow out to others, those who are witnessing your hard surrender to this latest round of treatment. Sending much love, blessings, prayers and hugs across the pond. Rest well, dear friend. xoxo ❤
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Dear Joy,
Thank you so much for all of your beautiful and encouraging prayers that you have offered up for me over these past many months! You have been such a sweet outpouring of God’s love for me. I have so very much to be thankful for, even in the midst of these storms and trials. Oh how I pray that I would allow Him to bring HIs outpouring to overflow around me. There are so many others who must walk these paths of pain, aren’t there? Oh that we could share this grace that He has given to us. Much hugs and love to you my dear friend on this journey. xoxo
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Dear Bettie, the gratitude very much flows both ways. I am also truly thankful for your prayers and cherished companionship on this chronic illness journey. And God is already mightily answering your heart yearnings. You pour forth beautifully here and offer such grace to everyone else, even as you walk the hard path of pain and trials. It is happening in and through you, sweet friend. Take heart in being a grace and encouragement offering to help support and lift others. You naturally live like that. Much love and hugs to you too! xoxo 💜
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Thank you Dear Friend for being such a light and gift from the Lord. Again, you have blessed me so much. May the Lord return that same blessing of comfort to you! xoxo
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Praying you don’t feel as ill afterwards as you predict! And praying you get relief from your pain! Gentle HUGS!! ❤
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Thank you so much Dear Jema for your sweet prayers and love! God is helping me so much as I rest through these days after treatment. Gentle Hugs and Love to you!!
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I’m so sorry, dear Bettie. I pray the infusions will ease your pain, and the side effects will be minimal. And Amen to Joy’s prayer for you! Your posts are a witness of God’s infusion of love and grace in your whole being. With you, I long for “the heart infusing of my Lord’s life and character into my very being.” Yes! I love your touching poem and the encouraging song. Love and blessings of the infusion of God’s love and light in your heart, your body, and your entire being!
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Dear Trudy,
Oh, isn’t our Lord so good to stir up those longings in us to be infused with more of Him? He does meet us here, in these trials and storms. I am so very grateful for the ways that you have prayed and shared with me over all these past months. God is so good to bring others alongside who can understand and walk through some of the same paths. You have been such a blessing and gift. I pray that He is blessing you with His heart and life today too, Dear Friend! Love & Hugs! xoxo
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I so hope the side effects are minimal. Praying that our God will strengthen and comfort you during these moments of pain and that the medicines will help.
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Thank you so much Regina! He truly is carrying me through these days of after-effects. What a precious Savior we have! Blessings to you!
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Dear Bettie, this is so beautiful. Your heart is so open to receive the love and blessing of the Lord. Even as you suffer the after effects of this infusion, I pray that God will make His presence known so sweetly to you. Thank you for sharing your struggles, too. It helps us see we are not alone. He is always with us and we can help and encourage each other even across the miles. Much love to you! Blessings and hugs, my dear poet/sister/friend! xoxo
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Dear Gayl,
Thank you for all of your prayers and words of encouragement. Jesus truly is carrying me, and loving me here in this resting place. I am still so amazed at the ways that we are able to “meet” each other across these places of connection, and then the Lord joins our hearts in HIM. Such a sweet gift!! I pray for sweet Blessings and Grace over you also my Dear poet/sister/friend! xoxo
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Praying for you. I pray that each day I will be infused with God’s love and will shine His love to others.
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Thank you so very much Melissa! He really is bringing His infusion of love here to me in the place of resting. He is so good and so faithful! Blessings and love to you!
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I truly trust the Lord will allow these infusions to be the answers to your prayers. Oh, I am so sorry that the aftermath is so hard! God be with you and supernaturally heal you and keep you from the worst of it. Praying for you, dear friend.
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Dear Cheryl,
Thank you so much for all of your love and prayers that you have shared with me! I can truly feel those arms of God supernaturally holding me through these days of resting and after-effects. I know that I would not be making it without His help. And I know you understand that also! He is so faithful to us! Blessings, love and prayers for you also!
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Praying for you, dear sister! May He hold you close to His loving heart! ❤
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Thank you so much Ruth! I truly can feel Him holding me so close. He is such a gracious Savior for us. Blessings and love to you!
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Pray that you feel the infusion of His light and love throughout this next step in your treatments, Bettie! What a beautiful poem too. God works through you and I just know He sees you as His beautiful, faithful daughter.
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Dear Lynn,
Oh thank you so much for your beautiful encouragement and prayers! Your words are a sweet gift to me, and bring tears to my eyes. He is holding me through all of these days of after-effects, and helping me so much! Blessings and love to you Dear Sister!
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Bettie you melt my heart every time.
Your vulnerability and childlike faith mirror so much of my own.
I loved this,..”Are there places of ice and stone in my heart where He would long to infuse me with His soft-hearted compassions . . . places where He would turn me inside out, and fill me up?”
It made me think. And right now I am lifting you up dear friend. THANK you for updating us with where you are today as we read, but letting the lowly places bring forth beauty.
I just wrote today *in private* that I sometimes would be jealous of people who had issues that were seen, because sometimes I feel like my brain has a sickness, and with it being unseen–it can be hard to explain to people why or why not I am having a hard day. (We all do, but you get me). I know you will not take that the wrong, but merely understand my heart there. Love and hugs.
Thank you so much for being you and know your writing touches many.
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Dear Meg,
Oh how well I understand that feeling of the unseen sickness and weakness, and having a hard time explaining to people what is going on inside! I have had that happen so much through the years! So, yes, I am glad that we can get each other here. God understands and He is carrying us deeper into His heart of loving through it all. I am so thankful for your prayers and sweet words, my friend! You touch my heart here tonight, and bring such a gift from the Lord. Blessings, love and hugs to you! xo
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Dear Bettie, you are in my prayer right now as I type. May the Holy Spirit allow your body to respond gently to the treatments with as few side effects as possible. Your writing touched my soul once again. Thank you for shining so bright despite the pain. May we be infused with His Word, His Son, His Spirit, for otherwise we are nothing at all. May you feel the Father’s loving arms holding you close. Love and hugs and prayers.
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Dear Melissa,
Thank you so much for your prayers. He is carrying me so close through this time, and letting me know that HE is my great protector. You are so right, that without His infusing, we are nothing! It is all His love in us that brings us to life. Your words bring me such a gift tonight. Blessings, love, hugs and prayers!
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Beautiful words! May I be infused by the light of Jesus in my own daily life.
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Thank you Mary. Yes, may the Lord continue to infuse us with more of His own dear light and love! Blessings to you this week!
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I’m late in reading. By now you’ve had at least your first infusion – I believe your spirit has been infused with compassion and hope for a very long time! xo
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I am always thankful for your visits! And, yes, the after effects of last week’s infusion are beginning to lift away, praise Him! I so appreciate our Lord’s compassion and HOPE that He gives!! xo
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Dear GOD, creator and healer of everything. Nothing is impossible from you o GOD. Lord, please heal Bettie and restore her health. Please keep her family safe and healthy too o Lord. In your name we pray Lord JESUS. Amen.
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Amen. Thank you so very much for your dear prayers! I appreciate them so much. Blessings to you also.
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GOD bless too Bettie!
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