May 6, 2007

Waiting





I've had the honor of watching Mary, Steve and Larissa walk through the worst trial I can possibly think of for the last 7 months now. I've read every post, with all of you, and wondered at the grace that God has poured into their lives day after long day. It has been 7 months full of miracles and sadness and grief, and they have proven to me, through the watching and the reading, that everything that the Scriptures say about God is true.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isa. 41:10

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, not shall the flame scorch you." Isa 43:2

Because of Steve, Mary and Larissa, I know that He provides whatever His people need when they are suffering. Because of them, I know that He is powerful, beyond belief, because day after difficult day, each of them puts one foot in front of the other, and lives with the praises of God in their hearts and mouths. Because of them, I know, that even in the very worst of circumstances God is, very purposefully, at work in the lives of His beloved children. They have become our teachers, not because they wanted to be, but because God purposed it. And they have been faithful, faithful teachers. And with each passing day, they teach us more about who God is, what He is like, and what He does for His children. What a pleasing aroma their lives are sending up to the Father, day after day after day.

We miss Ian more than words can say. He's home, and we're incredibly grateful that God intervened over and over again to save his life and heal his body. But we miss who he was when he left us and we're aching for the Lord to completely restore him. We miss his voice. We miss his laughter. We miss his humor and wit. We miss his friendship. We miss everything about him, which is a lot because, for anyone who knows him, Ian is quite a presence.

So, I'm asking that, for anyone who reads this blog, would you be willing to double and re-double your prayers to the Father for Ian's complete return? Would you be willing to ask, seek and knock more and harder. As we have well learned, the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective and God rewards them who diligently seek Him. Would you be willing to ask the Lord for more faith for more prayer for Ian? Would you be willing to ask the Spirit to remind you more each day? It's so easy to forget. Would you, especially, pray that He would restore Ian's ability to talk? I know that it's a great burden for his parents and Larissa not to know if he's hurting or uncomfortable or discouraged. We would be so grateful if you would, and God is always pleased with more prayer.


Kristi Altrogge

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will! I've been praying, then praying even more since Ian's return home, but I will commit to pray all the harder with you and the Murpheys! I'm yet another reader who doesn't know this family, but I've been reading everyday (and catching up on all the old posts) since I read about Larissa on Carolyn McCulley's blog. I too have been moved by the grace God has so lavishly extended them as they walk through what seems to be the impossible. I've been both in awe of His faithfulness and so often moved to tears as I consider, as a mom, all they must be going through. But God IS good, and like you, Kristi, He's used Ian's situation and the Murpheys' response to it to remind me of that, daily.

Thank you for spurring us on in prayer for Ian!

Susan Wilcox
Orlando, FL

Anonymous said...

Thanks Kristi for your post. You said what is on my heart.

I saw a saying on a church sign recently. Sometimes the sayings can be corny but I was encouraged by this saying, "Delay is not denial, keep praying."

Just because the Lord has not answered our prayers yet doesn't mean He won't. We need to persevere in prayer and keep going before the throne asking the Lord to heal Ian completely.

Let us not grow weary.

Steve, Mary, Larissa, Ben, Caleb, Devon and Lydia please know that we are all praying for you and for Ian’s quick and complete healing.

Standing with you in prayer for as long as it takes...

Vicki G.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much Kristi, for your well-said post. I "AMEN" your your kind tribute to the Murphy family and Larissa- what champions of the faith they are. We pray and will continue to pray even more fervently on their behalf for Ian.

Thanks for encouraging us to persevere and to boldy approach the throne of grace for mercy and help in this specific time of need.

Beth Mellinger